By VCT floor: How to strip and wax like a pro
All VCT tile floors will eventually show signs of wear, including dulling and discoloration from foot traffic. The length of time the floor lasts will depend on how much traffic it sees and how much daily maintenance it gets.
To maintain the tile and present it at its best, plan for a complete replacement of even the best-maintained floor finish when necessary. Your most valuable tool in executing a full “strip and wax” project is planned. During a strip and wax, eliminate all traces of floor finish, dirt, and stains from the tile by cleaning with chemicals and scrubbing, leaving it perfectly bare.
Regularly maintain vinyl floors to preserve their resilience and shine, despite their potential for a long lifespan. Neglecting proper care can lead to dullness, susceptibility to scratches, abrasions, wax buildup, yellow discoloration, and increased attraction to dirt.
How do you strip and wax VCT floors like a pro?
The process of stripping and waxing involves eliminating previous wax and dirt layers to give the floors a like-new appearance while shielding them from further harm.
To strip and wax a VCT floor like a pro, follow these 12 steps:
1: Getting Ready to Strip
Any cleaning process should start with the right instruments, janitorial supplies, commercial cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Cleaning and polishing your VCT flooring
2: Clear the Area of Any Objects or Floor Mats
Sweeping and clearing the area of any large debris is a good way to start cleaning.
In the area that is going to be refinished, make sure to vacuum and roll up any floor mats.
3: Prevent Stripping Solutions from Entering Adjacent Areas
Clear the area of any large debris to start the cleaning process.
Place a sealed-back carpet mat outside the area that requires cleaning. The mat collects extra liquid or dirt from visitors’ shoes, reducing the likelihood of tracking it out of the room and into other parts of your establishment.
4: Make the Stripping Solution Correctly
Certain stripping solutions must be appropriately diluted because they are not ready-to-use (RTU).
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing the stripper solution. Effective dilution is essential to the product’s functionality. A chemical that is overly concentrated won’t always function more quickly or effectively. May not work with concentrated solutions.
For instructions, see the label on the product.
5: Permit the flooring removal solution to incubate.
The term “dwell time” refers to how long a product must stay wet on the surface in order to function at its best.
Stripping solution usually requires a 5–10 minute dwell time, though manufacturer recommendations may differ.
To find the suggested dwell times, check the product label.
Caution: Take care to prevent the stripping solution from drying on the flooring. If areas start to dry out before the suggested dwell time, add more solution to those areas.
6: Agitate the Floor: Give your VCT floor a thorough cleaning and wax.
Use an auto scrubber or low-speed floor machine with a black pad to stir the floor stripper after letting the stripping solution sit for a while.
This will be the most effective device if you have an auto scrubber available. Don’t fill the autoscrubber with detergent. The floor will only be agitated and rinsed with it.
Expert Advice: Not every floor pad can effectively remove floor finish. If you want help selecting the best floor pad for your requirements, speak with a floor care expert.
7: Solution Removal Test Floor
When the floor beneath the stripping solution no longer feels sticky after agitating, it is ready to be removed. Run your hand over the floor while wearing a glove to test the surface. 8: Take Out the Floor Stripping Agent
Using a fresh mop and bucket, wet vac, or auto scrubber, remove the solution.
If you plan to remove floor stripping solutions with an auto scrubber, make sure the following settings are set:
- Pads and brushes for scrubbing
- Squeegee down
- Vacuum On
9: Rinse the floor, strip, and wax the VCT floor like a pro.
Before applying the finish, rinse the floor with fresh, cold water to get rid of any leftovers.
If you’re cleaning, damp mop using a figure-8 pattern.
Make sure the following settings are in place before using an auto scrubber to rinse the floor:
- Replace the floor pad or scrub brush with a clean pad or brush.
- Pads and brushes for scrubbing
- Squeegee down
- Vacuum on
10: Tidy Baseboards
The baseboard may get splashed with the stripping solution during the process.
Rinse off any solution to prevent leaving splash marks and more persistent stains. Using your clean mop to liberally apply clean water is the most efficient way to accomplish this.
11: Wax the VCT floor like an expert and remove all residue and stripping.
See if there is any more residue on the floor. Using a glove, run your hand over the floor. Nothing should be removed from the floor.
Rinse the floor once more if anything is left behind.
12: Apply Several Finish Coats
Usually, floors need three to four coats of floor finish. Your floor type, the type of floor finish, and the condition of the floor will ultimately determine how many coats you need.
Wait until your floor has dried for the minimum amount of time advised before applying more coats.
Stripping and waxing your VCT floor—Corporate Clean LLC
Waxing and stripping your floor is an excellent method of shielding it from deterioration. It can aid in protecting the underlying surface in addition to improving the floor’s appearance. Nonetheless, routine maintenance is necessary to keep the floor coating looking its best. This entails keeping it clear of dirt and debris and fixing any potential chips or scratches. For years to come, your floor coating will continue to look fantastic with the assistance of a professional floor coating service.
You can restore your floors to their best appearance with the help of professional floor stripping and waxing services. Make sure you get in touch with us right now if you’re interested in having your floors coated.
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