VCT Help/Suggestions

[Jason Miller]

See you can't force humor.

I honestly don't pay much attention to when they happen, I just know they make some of my jobs look like a lunar surface.

Just one of those things I'm extremely anal about. Only once did I get a call back on bubbles.
I told the lady "very anal" like I warned you in the proposal due to high solids and no humidity their is nothing I can do to avoid it. Now we will gladly come back and see if can take care of them but you will be charged either way.
She said well It makes sense what you're saying and I agree with you but can you try to get rid of them and even if they are there again at least I can tell my mind it is what it is ????
So of course I do a hard top scrub turn the heat on high and still get the bubbles but not so bad since I created humidity but anyway charged her almost as much as I did to strip and she was happy happy happy. One weird custy she was and we're still doing work for her

 

[Jason Miller]

Air movers are great as long as you keep them far enough back from your wax. Start them on low, then when area in front of blower is dry, pump them on high. Will save you bunches of time. Lighter coats wont ripple or bubble assuming you are using a quality wax. Some wax doesn't level very well. Buckeye Castle Guard comes to mind. In that case, give it 10 minutes to level, then turn on the fans. Anyway this has been my experience.

Air movers I have I can tilt them to the ceiling. And pretty much the only time I use them is in confined places while stripping to help with chem smell

 

[ebarnett]

Definitely need to get the air moving. Way too much humidity if you don't which may be causing your bubbles. Cranking the AC up and air movers will definitely help out.

 

[Jason Miller]

Definitely need to get the air moving. Way too much humidity if you don't which may be causing your bubbles. Cranking the AC up and air movers will definitely help out.

The better the air flow the faster wax dries which in my experience leaves more bubbles

 

[ebarnett]

Hmmm....the bubbles don't sound right. What are you using to lay wax? Any pics of bubbles? Might help someone recognize the issue.

 

[Common janitor]

The better the air flow the faster wax dries which in my experience leaves more bubbles

No. The wrong kind of air flow will cause bubbles and the wrong applicator , to heavy application and to fast application.
Usually the wrong airflow will cause waves in the wax because it's to close ( entryways ) or the person applying the wax has not waited for it to settle on the floor . Airflow must be above the floor after the wax has settled and not pointed at the ceiling . You have to wait .
All the Best, Ed

 

[Juscar8ts]

I appreciate the input. I've been dealing with this company for several years. And based on everyone's answers, the floors must be maintained...buffed, refinished throughout the year, which is common for VCT. That's not what they are thinking. They want a once and done solution. I'm certain after cleaning and applying a finish, the floors will look good, but that will require a maintenance plan and $$$. There is no floor finish on the floor, the pictures are deceiving, the shine is from me doing a couple of test spots. There are damaged tiles, and worn tiles throughout the restaurant. The cleaning chemicals they use are one step down from a stripper....I'm certain the finish will be removed within no time. I was wondering if there was something "new" that could be a once and done, last for a couple of years.

 

[Mike Krall]

I appreciate the input. I've been dealing with this company for several years. And based on everyone's answers, the floors must be maintained...buffed, refinished throughout the year, which is common for VCT. That's not what they are thinking. They want a once and done solution. I'm certain after cleaning and applying a finish, the floors will look good, but that will require a maintenance plan and $$$. There is no floor finish on the floor, the pictures are deceiving, the shine is from me doing a couple of test spots. There are damaged tiles, and worn tiles throughout the restaurant. The cleaning chemicals they use are one step down from a stripper....I'm certain the finish will be removed within no time. I was wondering if there was something "new" that could be a once and done, last for a couple of years.

I forgot what's it's called, but @longkenn uses something that isn't exactly a wax and is pretty durable.

 

[MPR]

Get some of Mike's (I'm not his spokesmen ) 30% solids finish. 2 coats and you can go home.

what are you referring to when you say Mike's. Can you post a link

 

[MPR]

Air movers I have I can tilt them to the ceiling. And pretty much the only time I use them is in confined places while stripping to help with chem smell

you don't have to tilt them to the ceiling, just don't let the air go directly over the floor. I take a roll of tape and place under the fan so it doesn't blow directly on the floor, but also doesn't blow dust everywhere. I use Betco express floor finish. I use the flat mop system with a backpack which saves a great deal of wax and applies light coats. Five minutes between coats.
http://https://shop.truckmountforums.com/5gl-betco-express-floor-finish-w-srt.html (found it lower on sale-usually around 105 to 111.00...soild content is 23.8%)
https://www.cleaningsupply.com/catalog/catalogproductdetail.aspx?itemno=593812EACH (bought mine on ebay for 79.00)
I do a pizza shop on a monthly basis. Tried hard as nails and several other finishes and this one works best. Strip annual- 7 coats for base, scrub and buff with 3 coats quarterly, scrub and buff in remaining months. Traffic lanes where they make pizza gets worn, and may take an additional coat after scrub during two months between quarterly cleans, but it usually holds until quarterly clean.

 

[MPR]

The better the air flow the faster wax dries which in my experience leaves more bubbles

Do you dry the floor with airmovers before applying finish. After final strip and neutralizing, do a water scrub and remove with vacuum and mop floor. Whatever the floor looks like when wet is what floor will look like with finish. If you see bubble, then scrub that area are hit with razor scraper. Then allow to dry. Bubbles occur when moisture comes between floor tiles and is captured by floor finish.

 

[Mike Krall]

what are you referring to when you say Mike's. Can you post a link

It's what @FloorCareMD sells: http://shop.floorcaremd.com/Floor-Finishes_c2.htm