What seal/finish gives best gloss to terrazzo?

[FloorCareChris]

I'm going to sell the owner on a diamond polishing or honed finished look. If he doesn't agree I want to fall back on deep clean/scrub & seal. I've never laid "wax" on stone before and not sure I want to get into it. I've stripped and waxed vct for 5 years so I'm sure I can strip the terrazzo down the line and or scrub&buff or recoat. My question is if he does want the seal/finish applicator used, what product would you recommend? Any ideas? The floor is pretty white/cream colored when cleaned. Looking for something like an enhancer or anything that will help it glow/shine or pop, but at the same time something that possibly isn't as hard to work with if I have to strip it a year or so later. Any advice would be appreciated..

 

[Common janitor]

I'm going to sell the owner on a diamond polishing or honed finished look. If he doesn't agree I want to fall back on deep clean/scrub & seal. I've never laid "wax" on stone before and not sure I want to get into it. I've stripped and waxed vct for 5 years so I'm sure I can strip the terrazzo down the line and or scrub&buff or recoat. My question is if he does want the seal/finish applicator used, what product would you recommend? Any ideas? The floor is pretty white/cream colored when cleaned. Looking for something like an enhancer or anything that will help it glow/shine or pop, but at the same time something that possibly isn't as hard to work with if I have to strip it a year or so later. Any advice would be appreciated..

Spartan Terra Glaze . Holds up well and buffs well . Used it on VCT as well and no problems . Would PM Floorcare MD on here and ask Michael if he has something from his line you can use . Lots of pictures here of his work and others that use his products . By all accounts his products are superior to anything else . The Terra. Glaze is a product you may be able to get local . Hope it helps.
All the Best, Ed

 

[longkenn]

I use National Chemical Laboratories product called One. It is a sealer and wax in one. Holds up well. It is the same as stripping and waxing vct. Nobody wants polishing, even though it would wear better, because of the front end cost.

 

[longkenn]

If you can sell then on a quarterly service you could get a high speed buffer (burnisher) and use something like Spit Shine. It is also a NCL product. Puts a hard finish on it.

 

[FloorCareChris]

I have a burnisher. It's an entry foyer so maybe the topical sealer/wax isn't a bad idea. Easier to get him to pay for a scrub and re coat procedure after the winter months with salt and mats tear his floor up again

 

[Reflections138]

Spartan's Terra Glaze. Like said before, it's very durable. The shine builds up faster with it as well.

 

[FloorCareChris]

Can I just hone with 400 grit diamond resin pad and then apply the terra glaze? Or should I do 400, 800 and then the terra glaze? I doubt he'll want the polish look so is it ok to just stop after 400grit? He your thoughts

 

[Reflections138]

Can I just hone with 400 grit diamond resin pad and then apply the terra glaze? Or should I do 400, 800 and then the terra glaze? I doubt he'll want the polish look so is it ok to just stop after 400grit? He your thoughts

It up to you. The floor is gonna absorb the first coat regardless. Honing is typically if you put down a stone protector. Really really shiny. If he doesn't want to go that route I wouldn't bother honing it for a regular sealer. That's just me though.

 

[FloorCareChris]

I'm just saying use a 400 grit diamond pad to give the best possible clean before the TG. I'm using a 185lb 1750 rpm 14x20 oscillator. That should really clean the stone and the TG would provide the protection and gloss.

 

[FloorCareChris]

The floors in bad shape.

 

[Reflections138]

I'm just saying use a 400 grit diamond pad to give the best possible clean before the TG. I'm using a 185lb 1750 rpm 14x20 oscillator. That should really clean the stone and the TG would provide the protection and gloss.

I just strip terrazo like I would vct if they're going with a sealer.

 

[FloorCareChris]

Stripping would def be cheaper for him..I'll offer both see what he says.

 

[Joe cool]

Deep stains wont scrubb out .

 

[Mike Krall]

Does stripping effect the previous hone job?

 

[Reflections138]

Does stripping effect the previous hone job?

Shouldn't. Honing is cement work. Don't know of any pad that will damage what diamond pads do

 

[Mike Krall]

Shouldn't. Honing is cement work. Don't know of any pad that will damage what diamond pads do

I didn't think it would, but you damage some stone with chemicals so was just curious if stripper had any side effects.

 

[FloorCareChris]

Imnjustvworried if the stripping pad will scratch the terrazzo? It scratches pretty easily with a knife. If the customer wants a scrub rather then a diamond pad clean I'm thinking of using green. I'll advise him not all the stains will come out though.

 

[Cameron DeMille]

A black, brown or green pad can damage the finish of polishes terrazzo, marble, travertine and limestone.

To be blunt, if you want to do this type of work correctly, waxing it isn't an option. If you give a proposal to diamond refinish and polish and they decline, I wouldn't "fall back" on putting a sealer on the floor. Unless that's what you want to do, but if you want to step up and provide premium services, this isn't the way to do it. people won't take you seriously and you won't be doing yourself any favors.

depending on the condition of the floor, you can use DIP type pads, but I would follow up with a polishing compound. MB-22 works great for Terrazzo.

Terrazzo isn't VCT and shouldn't be treated like it.

I'm not a purist, but there are certain things that should and shouldn't be done. People find terrazzo under their carpet and tile all the time and they think anyone can come in and buff it up. There is more to it. It's a respectable trade that can generate a lot of revenue for you, but not if you go around slopping plastic all over it.

 

[FloorCareChris]

A black, brown or green pad can damage the finish of polishes terrazzo, marble, travertine and limestone.

To be blunt, if you want to do this type of work correctly, waxing it isn't an option. If you give a proposal to diamond refinish and polish and they decline, I wouldn't "fall back" on putting a sealer on the floor. Unless that's what you want to do, but if you want to step up and provide premium services, this isn't the way to do it. people won't take you seriously and you won't be doing yourself any favors.

depending on the condition of the floor, you can use DIP type pads, but I would follow up with a polishing compound. MB-22 works great for Terrazzo.

Terrazzo isn't VCT and shouldn't be treated like it.

I'm not a purist, but there are certain things that should and shouldn't be done. People find terrazzo under their carpet and tile all the time and they think anyone can come in and buff it up. There is more to it. It's a respectable trade that can generate a lot of revenue for you, but not if you go around slopping plastic all over it.

I completely agree! I would love to polish it starting with a 400 grit and finish up to 3000 and the seal and polishing compound. That's my goal! I personally dont want to cut any corners. I'll explain to him why it's best but at the end of the day He'll have to decide what he is willing to pay for. New tile install quote was up near 2k

 

[FloorCareChris]

Only 260 sq ft