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My first VCT strip/wax job
+7
Floorguy
Larry Henson
Davey Cracker
Freemind1
ACpower1
carpetdaddy
Mo
11 posters
:: Forums :: Hard Surface Cleaning
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My first VCT strip/wax job
This is a small break room. Maybe 70ft sq.
BEFORE
AFTER
First Coat of wax.
BEFORE
AFTER
First Coat of wax.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
I thinks it's cool that you're always experimenting and trying new things Ryan. Looks good too.
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Final picture. I applied one more coat after this picture. 4 coats of wax.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Oh yeah, I guess I should give some info on chems and application.
I used zep stripper from lowes used 32 oz per gallon. Sprayed on. Sat for 15 minutes. Used the Cimex with stripper pads. Scrubbed. Used a mop to clean up stripper and then hot water mopped the floor again. Let the floor dry then I applied wax. Set up a blower after each application then re applied until completed.
I had about 45 minutes total of time on this room. I was pulling hoses while the wax dried. So that helped pass the time.
I used zep stripper from lowes used 32 oz per gallon. Sprayed on. Sat for 15 minutes. Used the Cimex with stripper pads. Scrubbed. Used a mop to clean up stripper and then hot water mopped the floor again. Let the floor dry then I applied wax. Set up a blower after each application then re applied until completed.
I had about 45 minutes total of time on this room. I was pulling hoses while the wax dried. So that helped pass the time.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
nice! something ive been interested in but for some reason companies around here do entire grocery stores for 200.00, I dont know how
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Ryan S wrote:Oh yeah, I guess I should give some info on chems and application.
I used zep stripper from lowes used 32 oz per gallon. Sprayed on. Sat for 15 minutes. Used the Cimex with stripper pads. Scrubbed. Used a mop to clean up stripper and then hot water mopped the floor again. Let the floor dry then I applied wax. Set up a blower after each application then re applied until completed.
I had about 45 minutes total of time on this room. I was pulling hoses while the wax dried. So that helped pass the time.
You can use a Squeegee and a wet dry vac to pick up the stripper slurry. Its less messy that mopping it up. (at least IMO)
If you end up doing much wax, you'll figure out MF applicators save you time, save you wax, and just plain kick butt. I no longer use my wax bucket. I just drizzle a little on and spread it out with a MF wax pad.
Freemind1- Senior Member
- Posts : 1282
Join date : 2013-09-20
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
ACpower1 wrote:nice! something ive been interested in but for some reason companies around here do entire grocery stores for 200.00, I dont know how
Illegal Aliens prob, that's what it is around here.......
And why I hardly ever do VCT, unless I can get $1.00-$1.50 s.f. for stripping and waxing.
Davey Cracker- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 4796
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 57
Location : Long Beach CA
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Freemind1 wrote:Ryan S wrote:Oh yeah, I guess I should give some info on chems and application.
I used zep stripper from lowes used 32 oz per gallon. Sprayed on. Sat for 15 minutes. Used the Cimex with stripper pads. Scrubbed. Used a mop to clean up stripper and then hot water mopped the floor again. Let the floor dry then I applied wax. Set up a blower after each application then re applied until completed.
I had about 45 minutes total of time on this room. I was pulling hoses while the wax dried. So that helped pass the time.
You can use a Squeegee and a wet dry vac to pick up the stripper slurry. Its less messy that mopping it up. (at least IMO)
If you end up doing much wax, you'll figure out MF applicators save you time, save you wax, and just plain kick butt. I no longer use my wax bucket. I just drizzle a little on and spread it out with a MF wax pad.
Definitely, using a micro mop makes waxing easier and less messy.
Davey Cracker- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 4796
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 57
Location : Long Beach CA
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
I did use the pour and smooth method. No reason for a bucket. Just poured right out of the five gallon jug. MF mop is new to me. Make since. Paste a link so I know exactly what type your using for application.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Oh I forgot to say: Nice job, Ryan......esp for your first time!!
Yes, I just use a plastic Qt. size bottle with a flip top cap on it, and squirt it on floor, and then just spread it around with the MF mop.
Yes, I just use a plastic Qt. size bottle with a flip top cap on it, and squirt it on floor, and then just spread it around with the MF mop.
Davey Cracker- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 4796
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 57
Location : Long Beach CA
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
That's a lot of hurry up and wait in that line of business. Wal-Mart broke me of every wanting to do these again....but it is nice looking at the finished product. Good job Ryan.
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Hey thanks guys. I figured I'd might as well try it out since I was cleaning the carpet. It was easy, I charged $75 for that. But like was mentioned, once it's stripped, there is a whole lot of waiting. I think they'll like it when they come in Monday am.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Ryan S wrote:I did use the pour and smooth method. No reason for a bucket. Just poured right out of the five gallon jug. MF mop is new to me. Make since. Paste a link so I know exactly what type your using for application.
I picked mine up at Menards. If you are not familiar with it, it is similar to a Home Depot. Libman is the brand. My pads are Velcro backed.
All of my wax work so far, is small spaces. No grocery stores at this point. No way to compete with it either as I charge what I am worth. So, no need to buy into a real expensive applicator. I do have a Rubbermaid wax system that included the short looped mop heads. It is a 300+ dollar system. Takes a pint of wax to wet the mop head properly even after the water soak and wring it out.
I drizzle from a 1 gallon jug. A word of advice, in case you don't know. If the wax looks milky/hazy when you mop it on, it's too thick. Spread it out. It should look wet and clear.
Freemind1- Senior Member
- Posts : 1282
Join date : 2013-09-20
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
um spraying works OK...the problem is you dont get a good even coat of chem, on the floor..and it will kind of pock the finish and not strip off as well..
and with how stripper works thats key...
and yes pouring in that small of an area is ideal...but out of a 5er is a pita
looks pretty good for 1st time
and with how stripper works thats key...
and yes pouring in that small of an area is ideal...but out of a 5er is a pita
looks pretty good for 1st time
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Any tips on a faster way to get up the stripper slurry? Right now I'm squeegee and shop vac. Is this the best way?
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Well, there are machines that have the wet vac with a squeegee running on the front of it.
You doing enough VCT work to justify 600 bucks?
I suppose you could use an auto scrubber too.
You doing enough VCT work to justify 600 bucks?
I suppose you could use an auto scrubber too.
Freemind1- Senior Member
- Posts : 1282
Join date : 2013-09-20
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Ryan S wrote:Any tips on a faster way to get up the stripper slurry? Right now I'm squeegee and shop vac. Is this the best way?
I use my TM with aluminum wand & squeegee head... But VCT is a slow process no mater what..
That's why I don't touch it for less than a buck a sq ft, and as a result don't do much of it. The Stoops that will do it for .15 a sq ft can have it!!
Davey Cracker- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 4796
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 57
Location : Long Beach CA
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
That's not bad. Clean and rinse in one process.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Another solid job Ryan, nice work.
I only did one VCT job...a quick shop...never do it again. Like it was said, lots of waiting around and no money in it. Looking back on it, I barely made enough to buy dinner in the end.
I only did one VCT job...a quick shop...never do it again. Like it was said, lots of waiting around and no money in it. Looking back on it, I barely made enough to buy dinner in the end.
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
ohhh theres money in it, but like everything else, its allllll about the tools....
and i still when people talk about using their TM to suck that stuff up..... you over flow it once, and your system will never be the same.....
I should grab a pick of my autoscrubber vac area...its been over flowed a few times....just to give an idea....plus i need 1 for my class at ICE
and i still when people talk about using their TM to suck that stuff up..... you over flow it once, and your system will never be the same.....
I should grab a pick of my autoscrubber vac area...its been over flowed a few times....just to give an idea....plus i need 1 for my class at ICE
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Ryan S wrote:Any tips on a faster way to get up the stripper slurry? Right now I'm squeegee and shop vac. Is this the best way?
the vacs, with the squeege mounted, like was mentioned,
an autoscrubber, but they are heavy and probably wouldnt fit in a van....
and it depends on the size of the job to....there are some dentist offices....i squeege it to the end and suck it up, because nothing else fits around all the chairs and stuff
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Floorguy wrote:
.....and i still when people talk about using their TM to suck that stuff up..... you over flow it once, and your system will never be the same.....
Not much chance in me doing a VCT job big enough to fill up tank.
But if it did ever happen, my electric float shut off would prevent what you are talking about.
I'm not a fan of running water, wax, or anything else threw my blower, so I keep up on making sure the auto shut-off is functioning properly so it can't happen.
Davey Cracker- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 4796
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 57
Location : Long Beach CA
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
Not gonna be doing large jobs. Mostly under 600 ft sq. I guess I'm doing it the best way. Thanks for the confirmation.
Ryan S- Expert & Trusted Member
- Posts : 1956
Join date : 2013-09-20
Age : 44
Location : NC
Re: My first VCT strip/wax job
hey not bad for a first job Ryan.
If its super small jobs that you are already running your truck on I would also suggest using the truck to suck up and rinse.
If it had like 10 coats of finish down then no too much finish slurry to pick up but most of the time its not and once your used to these jobs you will generally tell by eyeballing it.
I would also suggest visiting a jan san place and looking at the new tech strippers. 32oz per gallon is super old school. Modern day stuff is like 6-9oz per gallon and really breakes down the floor finish so its not gunky and thick at all! Makes a world of difference.
mopping up stripper is probably in the same level as using no prespray with carpet cleaning... just dumping an extraction chem in the water tank and calling it good lol just fyi
look for, even used a wet vac with a front squeegee. I got my clarke for $600 new....
If its too tight of an area ill also use a squeegee to pull towards the vac.
Make sure you give the floor a good rinse before applying the finish.
If you start doing more of it and like it take a look at ( some guys will cringe ) an electric autoscrubber!
The reason I went this direction is way cheaper. Weights only 120 pounds vs 270 so easy to transport. Heck even this one breaks down in 3 pices and I have take it up stairs before solo. It gets used on 1000+ sq jobs.
It is all about gear. The right stuff can turn things very profitable.
Lastly, fans are your friend. Especially these little omni dry fans. For tight areas I can leave these on desks, small areas etc. Of course work out awesome for carpet cleaning too. I have 3 of these and barely bring in the larger snails or airpath anymore.
If its super small jobs that you are already running your truck on I would also suggest using the truck to suck up and rinse.
If it had like 10 coats of finish down then no too much finish slurry to pick up but most of the time its not and once your used to these jobs you will generally tell by eyeballing it.
I would also suggest visiting a jan san place and looking at the new tech strippers. 32oz per gallon is super old school. Modern day stuff is like 6-9oz per gallon and really breakes down the floor finish so its not gunky and thick at all! Makes a world of difference.
mopping up stripper is probably in the same level as using no prespray with carpet cleaning... just dumping an extraction chem in the water tank and calling it good lol just fyi
look for, even used a wet vac with a front squeegee. I got my clarke for $600 new....
If its too tight of an area ill also use a squeegee to pull towards the vac.
Make sure you give the floor a good rinse before applying the finish.
If you start doing more of it and like it take a look at ( some guys will cringe ) an electric autoscrubber!
The reason I went this direction is way cheaper. Weights only 120 pounds vs 270 so easy to transport. Heck even this one breaks down in 3 pices and I have take it up stairs before solo. It gets used on 1000+ sq jobs.
It is all about gear. The right stuff can turn things very profitable.
Lastly, fans are your friend. Especially these little omni dry fans. For tight areas I can leave these on desks, small areas etc. Of course work out awesome for carpet cleaning too. I have 3 of these and barely bring in the larger snails or airpath anymore.
CleanTech- Active Poster
- Posts : 207
Join date : 2013-09-20
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