What is the correct way to do a floor. We are using a wax that is 25% solid, no sealer. We first scrub with a green pad. Only because we were told to do it this way. The floors are bad and should be stripped. (IMO).

Is it two coats, burnish, then two more coats and burnish?

Now we are doing 2 coats, burn then 2 more coats, burn then one and burn.

Is there a easier way. This is for a school.

i'd try here:

http://www.i-boards.com/bnp/cfc/

thanx --- Derek.

Hi Joe

Do you want right or cheap and easy?

Right would be to completely strip the floor and detail the edges. Then it’s up to your interpretation of what “right” is. You could dry buff the floor with a hair pad, dust mop and then repeat for each coat with the only variation being switch to a thermal pad to help cure the finish. My guess is that the school is not paying for that level of service thought.

An option, what I would do, is use what considered a “buffable finish”; strip the floor, put 4-6 coats and buff the living heck out of the floor using propane. Maintenance would consist of spot mopping and using spray buff or Turbo Shine and a hair pad under propane. When that didn’t get the results I wanted I would top scrub put down 2-4 coats and then go back to a mop/buff maintenance program. When it to scratched up and recoating isn’t getting the job done or it is to badly discolored than restrip it and start from scratch.

There is no money in VCT floor care, give them acceptable results without killing yourself and be prepared to be under appriacted and under paid and at the first opportunity to be under bid. I truly hope for you it doesn’t go that way but if it doesn’t I’ll be very surprised.

David Gelinas
Marbleguy

This is for my full time job, I am a custodian for this school. I am trying to do the least work I can.

I have a bone head boss that thinks he know everything and I want to put him in his place.

We have an electric HS buffer and white polish pads.

It for our caff/gym and I want to make it look as good as I can with as little work as I can.

Thanks

No problem, I understand. If you’re only running an electric HS than you can run hair pads across the board if you can get them. If not than I guess you’re stuck with the white pads. In all reality, if you’re using 25% solids finish; buffing it even with a hair pad is going to have little if any effect. Even under propane 25% isn’t going to do a whole lot. That’s pretty much what’s considered a “Non-Buffable” finish.

I hope the best for you and let us know how you make out.

David Gelinas
Marbleguy

We use Hillyards Explorer 25% solids. Buffs very nice with white pads.
The only time we Burnish between coats is if we are getting paid to. If you want a deep rich shine then that's the way to go but it's very labor intensive. We lay five coats of finish when we strip and high speed buff (1500 rpm electric) when done and get a very nice wet look shine. We use hair pads when the finish gets beat up then follow with white.

Joseph Desmond
Raedan Cleaning Services Inc.

In our area buffing in between coats is rarely performed due to the labor intensive cost. The "correct" way seems to be governed by what "the customer" wants to spend. I would think most of todays finishs can do fine without buffing between coats. Do you use a commercially made finish? At my institution we use finish produced by the state dept. of corrections(prison industries, they don't just make license plates, furniture, and clothing). Here they also produce chem's, can liners, and redistibute paper supplies. Anyway, ours is a 23% solids finish(occasional yellowish tint??) for $28.10 for 4/1's. It doesn't perform like a Hillyard, NCL, Johnson, etc. finish but what can one expect for $7.03 gallon. Are you already in that "budget" neighborhood with 55's, etc. or could points be scored by suggesting these other $$ savings opportunities?
Has anyone used Max pads under a 700-1500rpm machine with a product like NCL's Pop & Shine or an oil based stone soap solution as a spray buff or mop on followed by buffing(while floor is still damp? Kind of a modified high speed cleaning? Then thorough dust mop and lay more finish?

We use only what is purchased by the boss, we have no control over what is purchased as mgt does not want our input. I mean after all what do we know.

They gave us a new wax the other day from Johnson & Johnson its for high traffic areas and is 25% solid, looks like milk.

We are trying to make it look as good as we can so during the school year we can just recoat if need be.