Your basic package for nmarble does not inclue the metalex or grindex disks for lippage problems, does the 50 grit disks included in the standard package also grind down this problem?

Also, how long does each disk last approximately? 10,000 sq ft 30,000 sq.ft. What is the rule of thumb for when to replace?

Also, I have seen that people use 1000 and then 2000 grit with there swing machines yet I only see 800 as your highest diamond pads offered?

It also looks like this equipment does the job twice as fast as a swing machine?

james (cimex at fed ex hub waiting for my pick-up) can't wait!!!

Hi James,

Good questions.

The basic package for marble does not include the Metalex or Grindex disks. The reason for this is because we're trying to keep it simple and offer a complete basic package. The basic package will cover the lion's share of marble care jobs. Of course, if you have an abused floor then the Metalex or Grindex disks would be a good idea to purchase too.

The 50 grit disks included in the standard package will take care of basically any marble restoration job. For a floor with heavy scratches the Metalex disks would be ideal to start off with. And for lippage removal or concrete you'd want to start with the Grindex disks. However Mrs Piffleton's foyer that just has worn and uglied out marble will bounce right back to perfect with the basic marble package starting with the 50 grits.

Approximately how long does each disk last? There's no way to give you an estimate. Every variety of marble has a different hardness density. And each floor has differences in wear. I'd like to say that you should be able to expect somewhere in the range of 10,000 sq ft per set, that sounds like a reasonable average with these disks, but I can't give you a specific number because of the variables.

You're right that some people will go up to 1800 or even higher. That's fine if you want to go that high. However you can get very good results stopping at 800. Some folks will only go to 400 - I think that's too low personally - but hey whatever works for them. At 800 you have a smooth floor, and powder polishing will finish it off and bring up a gorgeous shine. Again, I want to help people get into a PRACTICAL marble care package that will get the job done without breaking the bank.

Yes, the Cimex can do the job MORE THAN twice as fast as a swing machine?

James I know yer gonna luv it. And if you get into marble care, the Cimex will rock for you.

Thanks for the good questions.

Rick Gelinas
encapman

Thanks, that answers the questions. Your brother David helped me out a few weeks ago on a limestone floor but I had an inadequate machine. plus, usually turn commercial work down and I am excited to try it out for a number of reasons. Expect my calls fairly soon!!!

James

Hey James, I hope everything is going well; it’s good to hear from ya again.

You asked about 50’s and if they will remove lippage. Well; yes they will and yes I have used them for that, but, the reason I used them for lippage is that was all I had in stock at the time and that job needed to get done. It will work but I don’t recommend it for two reasons, 1. It’s to slow and 2. You’re going to blow out your diamonds prematurely. Now I keep in stock Grindex type diamonds for lippage removal. I get a lot of referrals and calls from local tile & stone stores where an install was done poorly and it now has to be flattened. As a matter of fact tomorrow I’ll be doing a job just like that and we are going to be doing some testing with regards to procedure and were we can get away with stopping at various grits. Personally I feel the higher you run up the grits the tighter the floor is going to be and subsequently it’s going to last longer. Now with that being said, I’m also developing “Packages’ for my customers. This is actually a technique that has been done in the carpet industry for years. When you’re selling the job you put out on the table your Platinum, Gold & Silver Packages, then you let them decide which one they want. The reason I’m doing this is because about a month ago I get a call from this woman, she wants me to come in and “clean” her marble floor. Sure no problem. I show up, she shows me what she doesn’t like about her floor and I show her where I can make her floor flawless. The only problem is to make her floor absolutely perfect it would have cost her about $15,000.00. I could have cleaned & powder polished it for about $3,000.00. By giving them packages, they can choose the level of service they want and subsequently the level of service they want to pay for. Tomorrow, just for the heck of it I’m going to try stopping at 400 and powder polishing it then. We’ll see how it turns out and I’ll let you all know.

Take care and keep the questions coming.

David Gelinas
Marbleguy

I am going to try and go down to see Al (Spaet) this month who has offered to take me under his wing and give me some hands on training. However, the gsxr 750 and South Beach do sound more appealing but I am afraid that I would not get any REAl work done. LOL hahahah

I am sure that I will have some more questions as I progress.....Looking forward to getting this machine....

I do have a question though. Because I clean carpets, I often clean the dirty ones with the RX-20 which is similiar to the swing machine. Because it is round, I always have to take the "traditional" wand to get in the corners and the crevice next to the wall. How do you handle this with a round machine such as a swing or the cimex?

Also, what do you recommend for a hand held machine for countertops and such?

James

James,

It's hard to fit a round machine into a square corner isn't it?

The beautiful thing is that most folks NEVER walk into the corner and do much wear at all to the the marble in the corners. And if the corner does require service, a simple approach that will work in most cases is to simply powder polish the corner. You can powder polish in tight areas with an angle grinder using a section of a FiberPlus pad and 5X powder or if it's not too bad you can even use a palm sander or polish by hand. And if you ever find that you have a need for grinding tools for servicing corners I can provide you with some cool hand tools. But the powder will probably get the job done just fine. Keep it simple, that's always been my approach






Rick Gelinas
encapman

Don’t do it. For the Creamamarfel (sp) that I was working on today, I just didn’t like the results of powder polishing after the 400’s. I think it would have turned out nicer if I had run the grits up a little higher. But hey, that’s how you learn. That’s part of the fun of working with stone; you’re always learning and discovering new stuff. I’ve been in some facet of the cleaning industry since I was 16. Actually that’s when I started my own business, before that I helped Rick with his. Stone is not the same old thing day in and day out, it’s a lot of fun. Sure, it’s profitable but so is encapsulation. Normally carpets are carpets. If the carpet is trashed when you get there, then it’s trashed when you leave. Sure it’s cleaner but it’s still trashed carpeting. Stone on the other hand, if it’s completely trashed when you get there than you just grind it down and expose new stone and it’s beautiful! That floor today, the home owners loved it, they couldn’t believe how great it looked. How after we ground it the colors were so much deeper or how much nicer it was now that the floor was flat and smooth. Me on the other hand, I wasn’t to blown away by it but it turned out okay and the customer was happy and I got learn a little more about stone. All and all it was a pretty good day.

David Gelinas
Marbleguy