No more color sealing for me!

[fboet]

I've had two clients call me within a year that the grout color sealing has not held up. One I returned $1,500 because the color sealing was wearing out in a few areas and looked horrible. The other one was a reclean becasue it got soiled within a year and I had to retouch some color loss. I have done about 20 color sealing jobs with just 2 complaints. It appears to me these two clients used harsh cleaners on the floor. Because of the uneven floors and high grout lines, color sealing can wear out on those high areas, plus I don't have the confidence that the client will properly take care of their floors. So I'm done!

 

[Gasoline]

How long are they supposed to last? Are there warranties?

 

[fboet]

There are no warranties by manufacturers. The warranty, if you choose to imply one is from you, the cleaner. I have a client who we color sealed the grout two years ago and their floor look brand new. However, the problem is with clients or their "cleaning ladies", that don't properly clean the floors. I can not take that chance anymore. Grout sealing is a tedious, back breaking job and I would hate to have to refund the money 9 months later.

 

[Gasoline]

There are no warranties by manufacturers. The warranty, if you choose to imply one is from you, the cleaner. I have a client who we color sealed the grout two years ago and their floor look brand new. However, the problem is with clients or their "cleaning ladies", that don't properly clean the floors. I can not take that chance anymore. Grout sealing is a tedious, back breaking job and I would hate to have to refund the money 9 months later.

So moving forward...how do you clean it off if the customer is done with it? Do you have to strip it?

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Is color sealing more profitable than carpet cleaning for you?

Those 2 clients that wore off, how did you "prep" the grout channels to receive the seal?

Do you recall, Was the grout sanded, unsanded or epoxy?

Which brand of color seal did you use?

Did you leave your client with a $2.99 gallon of ZEP neutral cleaner?

Do you offer a 6/12 Month "Service Agreement" at 33% of the initial job cost?

 

[Jose Holguin]

Nail on the coffin, I'm never offering color sealer.

 

[Jpais]

What product are you using?

Always always always make them sign off on what is expected of them to maintain the floor and all kinds of jargon so they can't complain when they didn't follow the directions you left... Also I highly recommend selling a warranty if you believe in the product

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Nail on the coffin, I'm never offering color sealer.

you've been straddling the fence from day one Jose
Lol

 

[Jose Holguin]

you've been straddling the fence from day one Jose
Lol

Lol agree but this is what I was afraid of and I'm just not comfortable doing it.

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Lol agree but this is what I was afraid of and I'm just not comfortable doing it.

Ultimately it's no different than carpets or rugs in that you gotta know when to

"Stay & Earn"

Or

"Turn & Burn"

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

The reason I've never offered color seal is because I've never seen a color seal job that didn't look like shite

 

[Blacktiedetailing]

I've had two clients call me within a year that the grout color sealing has not held up. One I returned $1,500 because the color sealing was wearing out in a few areas and looked horrible. The other one was a reclean becasue it got soiled within a year and I had to retouch some color loss. I have done about 20 color sealing jobs with just 2 complaints. It appears to me these two clients used harsh cleaners on the floor. Because of the uneven floors and high grout lines, color sealing can wear out on those high areas, plus I don't have the confidence that the client will properly take care of their floors. So I'm done!

I do them but dont push it. If done right, they will last for 5+ years. Did you follow all the steps?

Clean first with grout cleaner?

2nd, Acid wash the grout lines?

This is a must for the color seal to adhere to the grout. As I type this, I am standing on my kitchen floor which I color sealed 8 years ago, have cleaned it many many times and still looks new...

 

[shane deubell]

We mainly do it in small bathrooms, seems like the 1/2 bath types on the first floor.

I dont like them too much either.

 

[owenscott]

Wasnt kipp the colorseal god ?
Maybe he could shed some light on how long they last or expected to last

 

[shane deubell]

Hopefully they lasted longer then him....

 

[Art Kelley]

Wasnt kipp the colorseal god ?
Maybe he could shed some light on how long they last or expected to last

You'll notice he quit the business (again).

 

[aloha one]

So moving forward...how do you clean it off if the customer is done with it? Do you have to strip it?

Yes Robert..you have to strip it out and it is a total Nightmare getting it all out!
Color Seal is what I'm referring to..Like Mike..I never saw one that didn't look bad.

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Without formalized training why would one expect there to not be hack jobs out there?

The 3 biggest factors that determine color seal durability are

1. Preparation
2. Using a quality product
3. Proper maintenance that YOU must ensure via service agreement

 

[aloha one]

Without formalized training why would one expect there to not be hack jobs out there?

The 2 biggest factors that determine color seal durability are

1. Preparation
2. Using a quality product
3. Proper maintenance that YOU must ensure via service agreement

Well in that Case...Strike Three..I'm OUT!

 

[Jose Holguin]

Wasnt kipp the colorseal god ?
Maybe he could shed some light on how long they last or expected to last

He wasn't in business long enough to see for himself, either time..., but did say that his brother has been doing them for 10 years and his customers haven't had any problems.