How to strip and wax vynyl(VCT) floors:

How to strip and wax Vinyl (VCT) floors
Supplies list
Stripper: Decide which type of stripper you want to use.
	Regular stripper with high PH
	Low odor stripper to minimize odor in the building.
	Rinse Free stripper to minimize worry from thorough rinsing.
Floor neutralizer- Using regular stripper with high PH is recommended.
Finish Mop- Either Waxer Candy (White/Blue color) mop or Nylon Finish mop.
Wax applicator- Micro fiber type applicator instead of Finish mop- Optional.
Doodle Bug pad-Black for stripping.
Doodle Bug pad holder and handle for edges and corners.
Scraper short handle and long handle.
Rags
Green 6"x 9" pads,
Mop and bucket wringers- 1each for stripper, 1each for rinsing, or more the better and
	easier.
	Try using a large trash bag into the bucket and wringer for wax- it is easier.
Auto scrubber or a buffer (Floor Machine- Side to Side ).
Black stripping pads for auto scrubber or buffer.
	Next time try Hi-Pro Black pad- you might like it.
Latex Gloves
Measuring cup for chemicals
MSDA sheets for chemicals
Finish / Wax- There are different types of finish. One for high speed burnishing
	another for low maintenance. Please check with local distributor to see
	which one is right one for your project.
Dry/ Wet Vacuum or shop vacuum to pick up water
Floor squeegee: foam type works well
Air Mover / Air Blower/ Air Fan
Soft painters tape- only if needed as to tape off carpeted area or other places
	you would like to tape off.
Booties
Safety shoes- Working with chemicals on wet floors can be very dangerous.
	You must wear safety shoes while stripping and waxing.
Wet floor signs.
Caution tape to block off the area, if needed.
Instruction on Stripping and waxing
Step 1:
Vacuum thoroughly or sweep well corners and edges- make sure to pick up all dust,
	hair, and etc.
	Note: Remove gum.
Step 2:
Dilute stripping solution into a mop bucket as recommended by manufacturers.
	Note: If you want to do a faster job, dilute 50/50 or up to 75% stripper and 25% water.
Step 3:
Apply Stripping solution onto the floor area that you will be stripping.
	Note: Apply only area that you would be able to handle with. Letting the
	solution sitting too long to dry off before reaching the other end of it
	will waste money and time.
	Note: Do not flood the floor with solution, but wet enough for solution
	to break down the old wax.
Step 4:
Let the solution do the job of breaking down the old wax- leave it for about
	10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing.
Step 5:
If you have more than one person working- start scraping the edges and corners
	well with scrapers and doodle bug pads.
	Note: Do it thoroughly.
	Note: Also give attention the borders- Do you need to strip them down too?
Step 6:
Start stripping with either auto scrubber or buffer with black pad to strip off the old wax.
	Note: Use a scraper to scrape the floor to see, if any old wax is coming out of the floor. If it does,
	stripping is not complete.
	Any leftover old wax not stripped properly will give a different appearance
	when you are done waxing the floor.
	Note: If old wax is very thick and having hard time stripping with black pads only, try scrapping off the
	old wax with a large size scrapper with a long handle first. Once, most of the wax is removed, run
	floor machine with a black pad to finish off removing the remainder of old wax.
Step 7:
After old wax has been completely stripped, then vacuum the removed wax and stripping
solution right away. Do not let it dry on the floor. Otherwise it will look dirty and will need
to be restripped again.
Step 8:
Thoroughly rinse floor with clean water several times or use floor neutralizer
in the rinsing water.
	Note: Wipe clean the base boards at this time, if you have not taped off.
Step 9:
Make sure to wear clean shoes without stripping solution or wear new booties. Do one final rinse
with neutralizer.
Step 10:
Let the floor dry.
	Note: Use Air Movers- Make sure not to face up too high to blow down
		dust from the ceiling or other areas.
	Use low to medium speed and let the floor dry completely before putting the
		first coat of wax.
	Note: This is good time to check the floor for any hair, dust
		and etc. If any, either sweep it off or vacuum thoroughly
		before laying the first coat of finish.
Step 11:
Lay the first coat of finish-
	Note: Use a trash can liner in the mop bucket and pour the finish inside.
	Note: Make sure that mop bucket you are using has a clean wheels that will not leave any marks on the
		floor.
	Note: Do not get the mop bucket wheels wet with finish. It will leave marks on the floor.
		If it does, wipe them off right away.
	Note: Work from backside of the room to the exit door.
	Note: If working on a large area, divide into sections that will be easy for you
		lay the finish.
	Note: Lay edges and catch corners first.
	Note: Trying number 8, side ways shape (Ribbon shape) for laying the finish
		without lifting the mop head works well.
	Note: Lay finish with a nice and smooth coat.
	Note: Finish on the mop should be squeezed gently enough, so that you
		do not have drippings of finish all over the floor.
	Note: From 2nd coat, make it little thinner, if it is leaving too much tiny bubbles on the floor when you
		are laying the wax.
	Note: While you are laying the finish and see hair or dirt on the floor-
		pick it up with you finger carefully before going over with finish.
		Once, hair or dirt is under finish, it will take much work to
		remove it and fix the area.
	Note: Watch out for the side borders
		If ok to wax, wax up to two inches high.
	Note: If you miss some spots on your first coat, don't worry, you will
		cover them on your second or third coat.
	Note: If you want to try something new, try micro fiber all purpose mop for waxing. Many manufacturers are
		coming up with micro fiber waxing system these days. So, check with your local distributors
		and see what they might have for you.
Step 12:
Let the finish dry completely- It could take any where from 20-40 minutes depending
		on humidity, wind, air-conditioned room, etc.
	Note: If you use Air Movers/Fan, it will dry much faster.
	Note: Do not put too close to the finish that you just laid with high speed.
		Finish will dry off - wavy.
		Position it three to four feet away from the finish and start at low speed.
		Gradually increase the speed as needed.
	Note: Do not put air mover facing the high ceiling or upper side, it might
		blow down the dust from it and settle it on the finish.
Step 13
Check the finish to make sure it is dry enough for next coat of finish.
	Note: Does it look wet?
		Does it feel sticky on the palm of you hand?
		Does it leave finger prints on the finish?
		If any above is yes- floor is not ready yet to walk on.
	Note: From second coat, walk only with either bare feet or socks.
		Aggressive design of the sole will create marks on the finish.
Step 14:
Third and more coats :Repeat Step 12. Make sure floor is dry enough to walk on it. Walk only with
		bare feet or socks.
If you are laying more coats.
	Note: Manufactures normally recommend 100% of finish Solid contents.
		Example: If the finish you are using has 25% Solid content, then
		you should be laying 4 coats or more.
Step 15:
Let the floor dry and do not let anyone walk on it at least 3 to 4 hours.
	Note: You may buff/ burnish the floor after 24 hours after you laid the
		finish.
	Note: When daily mopping, must use only neutral cleaner, otherwise
		finish will disappear very fast.
Step 16:
You are done for this job.
Recommendations
Do not rush ! Do all the steps properly and thoroughly. When you rush things,
	you will encounter problems.
	When the job is done right- you save time and money!
Safety shoes
	If you are working on the wet floor doing stripping, this can be very hazardous.
	You must wear safety shoes while doing the stripping. The floor can be very slippery
	and falls can cause bodily injury.
	Please take full precaution at all times.
Problems?
Bubbles in the finished job?
	Probably, you might have rushed on your rinsing and did not rinse thoroughly.
	If your stripping solution Ph was high and the floor was not rinsed well, this will leave
		residue behind and it will not mix well with the finish and
		will create bubbles in it as it dries.
	Another cause could be some of the finish might have dropped from the mop
		when carrying it from the mop bucket
	Other causes could be using the mop that picked up the
		solution when mopping off stripping solution and
		using the same mop for laying the finish.
	Another cause could be using the same mop bucket for stripping and
		waxing without cleaning the bucket thoroughly between these two steps.
Lumpy areas on the corners, edges or scattered areas on the floor?
	Probably, you might have rushed and left big puddle of lumps of finish
		on the comers, edges, or even in the middle of the floor.
	Or you are using the regular mop head for laying the finish, instead of using finish mop head.
Solution?
	If it is a large area- you might have to strip the floor and redo it again.
	If is a small area-
		Tape the area off 4 square and work inside of the square.
		Strip off the affected area and follow the steps laid out
		above and do it right this time.
		Note: Use soft/not too strong painter's tape for this.
		Other tapes will either remove the finish or will affect the
		finish when you try to remove the tape.
Are you doing a large area?
	If you are stripping a large area. Use auto scrubber.
	If you are waxing a large area. Use microfiber mopping system or Ultra Tracts wide area solution
		applicator.
Note: Are you stripping a VCT floor which has very thick finish from the past?
	Suggestion: Try to scrape the old wax as it melts down with heavy duty scraper first and then scrub it
	with black pad with a floor machine.