Smith’s CT-8 Cleaner & Toughener

Smith’s CT-8 is a dual-purpose concentrated powder cleaner for prepping exterior textured concrete — it first works as an aggressive detergent to clean the surface, then toughens the concrete by reacting with the weak, un-reacted calcium hydroxide near the surface. It’s the prep step that gets exterior concrete ready to take Smith’s decorative color products.

Call for pricing and availability, or request a quote — you’ll talk to a real surface-prep expert, not a call center — fast answers and real recommendations.

Key Features

• Dual-purpose — aggressively cleans and strengthens the concrete surface
• Biodegradable and non-corrosive
• Low odor
• Ships easily — overnight deliverable, no hazmat Red Label
• White powder concentrate, 100% solids by weight

What It’s For

• Prepping exterior textured concrete before Smith’s Color Floor, Color Wall, and Color Accents
• Cleaning and toughening the surface in one step

Not for: smooth troweled concrete, or removing coatings (paint, sealer, or other film-forming products).

Coverage & Mixing

• Coverage: about 250 sq ft per gallon of mixed solution (varies with surface porosity, profile, and method)
• Mixing: dissolve 1 cup of CT-8 powder per gallon of water (warm water dissolves it faster)
• Shelf life: 3 years; store at 40–90°F

How It’s Used (Overview)

Dampen the concrete, apply the CT-8 solution liberally (keeping the surface damp the whole time), scrub it in, let it dwell, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry — finishing with a “tape test” to confirm the surface is clean. Keep the surface damp throughout — if CT-8 dries on the floor, the contaminants redeposit and you’ll have to start over. Always follow the full product data sheet, and mask any aluminum, which CT-8 will react with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CT-8? A dual-purpose powder concentrate that cleans and toughens exterior textured concrete during prep.

What’s it used before? Smith’s decorative color products — Color Floor, Color Wall, and Color Accents.

How much does it cover? About 250 sq ft per gallon of mixed solution.

How do I mix it? Dissolve 1 cup of powder per gallon of water.

Can I use it on smooth troweled concrete? No — it’s for exterior textured concrete, not smooth troweled surfaces or coating removal.

Order Smith’s CT-8 Today

Call (815) 941-4800 x 1 or fill out our contact form. See our surface prep chemicals, Smith Paints, and diamond system