If you do not know the difference between a solvent based urethane seal (or some of the other exotic products being promoted today) and a water based seal you may need to use this website to review past articles and other sources to understand the difference. I oftentimes encounter well intentioned floor techs who try to strip a floor using the wrong processes simply because they do not know what is on the floor and proceed anyways.

Unfortunately the source of their problem is that a well-meaning distributor marketed a product or process that applied a “permanent” seal that will “never need to be stripped, buffed, blah, blah, blah.” They probably gave incomplete training and support and went on to the next product that their company was promoting. The reality is that many of these products work very well under ideal conditions where the floor is properly stripped, neutralized and prepped before application. The actual application may require use of very specific mop on application system that the distributor assumes the end user understands.

Of course the end user oftentimes is under an unreasonable time constraint since the customer wants the floor back in use and does not allow enough time to drying and curing (think off gassing) that is essential in the product adhering and lasting as promised. Usually, the customer then demands that the floor be “waxed and buffed” (think 1965 technology) which means that the water based floor finish needs to be removed with a high pH alkaline stripper. Or better still, they may require the floor be mopped with bleach or some other disinfectant. The results are usually the same: Disaster. In the directions, most of these products state that only neutral (think 7.5-8 pH) cleaner be used or the warranty is voided. This is about time the circle of blame goes into high gear.

The key word is PROCESS using chemicals and tools correctly.

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net


posted on 10/4/2016