Monday, September 19, 2016

Tips On Floor Stripping & Refinishing



The condition of your floor is the first thing your customers see when they walk into your building.
Maintaining your floor is not rocket science, but it does require attention to detail- in method and in product. While hiring AMS would be the easiest solution for keeping your floors looking their best, here are some tips if you are stripping and refinishing floors on your own:
  • Prepare and Conquer  Gather all needed materials before starting the job- mops, goggles, gloves, non-skid shoes, scraper, wet floor signs, etc.   
  • Start Small  Apply floor stripper in a manageable area (maybe 10’x10’). Have rinse water ready nearby. You do not want the stripper to dry on the floor.
  • Rinse! ‘Flood’ rinse the floor after removing the stripper chemical. A flood rinse is when you do not wring the mop before placing it on the floor. Keep your rinse water clean! If you can’t see the bottom of the bucket- change the water!  
  • Neutralize  After rinsing, apply a neutralizer to help remove any stripper residue. Don’t forget to pay close attention to corners, edges and doorways.
  • The Right Tools  Use a clean rayon or synthetic mop to apply floor finish. Line the mop bucket with a can liner to ensure your finish is not contaminated.
  • Think Thin  Apply your floor finish in thin coats and let dry completely. Test for dryness with the back of your hand, not fingertips. It cannot be tacky at all!
Not sure how many coats of finish to apply?  An easy rule to remember is to apply 100% solids. For example, if the finish you are applying contains 20% solids, you would want to apply 5 coats.

For more information or a quote for services, please call AMS at 815-547-7952