Paint Cleaners & Additives

Paint Cleaners & Additives help you prep surfaces properly, tune paint performance, and simplify cleanup for professional-looking results. Whether you’re tackling interior walls, exterior siding, cabinets, or metal railings, the right cleaner or additive boosts adhesion, flow, durability, and overall finish quality.

Use paint cleaners to remove the stuff that ruins bond and sheen. Degreasers and TSP substitutes cut through oils, smoke, and fingerprints. Mildew and mold removers sanitize bath and exterior surfaces. Efflorescence and mineral deposit removers prep masonry. Rust removers and converters stabilize metal before primer. Brush and spray-equipment cleaners keep bristles supple, tips unclogged, and hoses free of residue, extending tool life and saving time on the next job.

Additives fine-tune paint to suit the application and conditions. Flow and leveling conditioners reduce brush marks on trim and doors. Extenders increase open time in hot or dry climates, giving you a smoother edge. Thickeners or anti-sag agents help coatings hang on vertical surfaces. Defoamers cut bubbles for a glass-like finish. Adhesion promoters improve grip on slick substrates. Anti-mildew and UV-resistance additives support longer service life outdoors. Tinting colorants and flattening agents help you dial in color and sheen. Accelerators and retarders let you control dry time for faster recoats or better blending.

Tips for choosing and use:
- Match cleaners to the substrate and stain type: wood, metal, masonry; grease, smoke, mildew, chalking.
- Select additives by paint chemistry: latex/acrylic, alkyd/oil, epoxy, polyurethane. Use latex conditioners for water-based and oil conditioners for alkyds.
- For brush, roller, or spray, adjust viscosity and flow; strain paint before spraying.
- Follow manufacturer ratios; start with small test areas.
- Consider low-odor, low-VOC, and biodegradable options.
- Wear PPE, provide ventilation, and follow local rules for disposal.

For the best paint cleaners and additives, shop by project, paint type, and climate. Proper surface preparation and smart additives deliver cleaner, faster work and a stronger, smoother finish.