Commercial Floor Wax, Sealant, and Stripper

Key criteria in the selection of an appropriate commercial floor wax include traffic volume and the type of maintenance program in place.   Floors in high-traffic locations that are maintained with high-speed burnishing programs require a high solids finish, which ideally contains a fortifying component for increased durability. Floors on which traffic is less frequent and maintenance is more flexible is better suited to a floor polish with superior coverage and detergent resistance. No mere afterthought, using appropriate pads in the burnishing process is as important as choosing the right wax.

Floors that are new, freshly stripped or porous (such as concrete) must be treated with an acrylic sealer before polish is administered.  Sealant works to level floor surfaces, fill pores, and form a bond between substrate and polish to ensure a strong, resilient finish.

Stripping the floor is a measure of last resort and should be performed only when a deep scrub and re-coat will not restore a finish to the desired level of appearance. Conditions that require wax removal include yellowing, embedded dirt and irreparable damage to the finish. Using a wet vacuum to thoroughly rinse a floor that has just been treated with stripper will maximize the effectiveness of re-coating.

Wood Floor Polish and Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Factory finishes take some of the hassle out cleaning hardwood floors.  A vast majority of manufacturers use the same aluminum oxide finish, which in turn makes the cleaning procedure and appropriate wood floor polish the same for just about every type of wood flooring.

Special care must nevertheless be taken in hardwood floor care and cleaning.  Wet mopping and wax-based cleaners can dull the shine of wood flooring; using vinegar to clean hardwood floors can similarly compromise the finish.  The best course of action combines a preventative approach which includes vacuuming excess dust and dry mop care with liquid cleaners and polishes specially formulated for hardwood floor cleaning.

Floor Cleaners

Preventative maintenance plays a large role in any effective floor cleaning strategy; in this connection, adequate matting is critical. Approximately 15 feet (or three strides’ worth) of dirt-trapping or moisture absorbing walk-off mats, both inside and outside of exterior doors make a world of difference.  Matting must in turn be kept clean with frequent vacuuming and pressure-wash mats or carpet extraction as needed – If excess soil and moisture is not removed, matting becomes a source of dust rather than a receptacle for it.

Daily cleaning involves frequent dust mopping to remove top layers of debris, along with damp mopping to prevent discoloration by capturing and removing deeply embedded film from the floor, and, for larger applications, an auto-scrubber.

The cleaning compound used in damp mopping or auto-scrubbing will vary with the type of flooring.  When cleaning the no-wax floor, calcareous stones (marble, limestone, travertine and onyx), and other surfaces with a shine, neutral-pH cleaners should be used, as alkaline cleaners can dull high gloss finishes.

Cleaning kitchen flooring typically involves concrete, terrazzo, or grouted ceramic title. These types of flooring are more slip-resistant than others, however grease spilled in the kitchen poses a serious slip and fall hazard.   To eliminate the risk of injury, kitchen floor cleaners should include degreasing agents to dissolve and remove oily deposits.

In restrooms, locker rooms, and medical facilities,  floors are often breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Of particular concern of late is the spreading of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through cross-contamination.  In such circumstances the best course of action  is to use of a disinfectant followed as necessary by a cleaner (or ideally a disinfectant with cleaning capabilities) to remove deeply embedded soils.

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Commercial Floor Wax, Sealant, and Stripper

Ultra High Profile:  Premium urethane-fortified thermacrylic floor polish designed for use in high-speed dry burnishing programs for optimal performance.  Urethane component combines with high solids content to provide maximum abrasive and chemical resistance alongside brilliant shine.  Formulation based on a polymer that is 40% clearer and less reliant on the wax component that is typically responsible for yellowing of floor finishes.  Produces maximum light refractivity and gloss readings as high as 94.   Outstanding levelling with no mop drag for fast surface coverage, maximum labor savings and unblemished coverage.  The floor finish of choice for high traffic locations – ideal for store aisles, show rooms, educational facilities and commercial establishments.   25% solids; covers 60 square meters per litre.

Ultra Shine:  Durable, water-based polyurethane finish formulated to polish a variety of floor care systems including non-buff, spray buff and high speed burnishing.  Forms a tough, mark resistant coating.   In conjunction with an acrylic sealer recommended for use on terrazzo, slate, marble, quarry tile as well as asphalt tiles, vinyl asbestos, linoleum, vinyl rubber, cork and composition floors and resilient tile.  Excellent concrete floor wax.  25% solids; covers 60-65 square meters per litre.

Sidekick:   Versatile restorer can be used for both spray buffing and spray burnishing applications. Contains a combination of mild cleaners and a polymer that is compatible with most floor finishes.  High dilution capabilities make it the product of choice for large surface application by auto scrubber.   Ideal for both low and high maintenance schedules.  Excellent for polishing the concrete floor.

Concrete Floor Sealants

Topical Sealer

Ultra Seal: Tough acrylic-based formulation seals new floors, re-seals older floors after stripping, and levels floor surfaces in preparation for application of floor finish. Restores gloss, color and rich appearance and provides excellent protection from dirt, soil and stains. Salt-resistant sealer will not yellow and is compatible with most finishes, but works best with Ultra High Profile and Ultra Seal.

Penetrating Sealers

Liqui-Hard Ultra:  Ready-to-use concrete densifier and hardener hardens and dustproofs concrete at a molecular level. When applied and allowed to penetrate into the concrete surface, a chemical reaction takes place, producing a byproduct that fills in the pores of the concrete one molecule at a time. Concrete is solidified, eliminating dusting and pitting.  Application provides a permanent, attractive sheen with improved light reflectance that is primed for polishing.  Imparts abrasion, peeling and chemical resistance to significantly improve surface durability.  Easy spray-on application; requires no brushing or rinsing. Can also be used in conjunction with shake-on hardeners.  Environmentally safe, water-based product features a zero VOC content and provides an attractive option in green building applications.

Internal Concrete Sealant:  Penetrates below the surface of the concrete where it creates an internal silica gel membrane 1 to 2 mm deep that forms a solid, yet breathable permanent seal and moisture barrier, which dramatically increases surface hardness, compressive strength and floor-life.   Prevents penetration of grease, oils, hydrocarbons; reduces or eliminates under-surface bacteria growth and sweating. Impervious to most acids if combined with a top sealant.   Prevents wear due to abrasion, freeze-thaw and salt attack.  Enables easier ice and snow removal.  Makes cleaning the garage floor.  Dramatically increases bonding of any concrete floor polish.  While coverage rates are directly proportionate to the porosity and moisture content of the surface being treated, average coverage is 4 sq. meters /litre (150 sq. feet/gal.)

Other Floor Products

Ultra Strip:  Designed to make floor wax removal easier, faster, and safer.  Water-soluble stripper works quickly remove all types of finishes, from ultra high speed to manual application.  Penetrates and emulsifies burnished finishes while leaving the floor primed to accept a new application of sealant and polish.  An excellent choice for use with scrubbing machines,  as formulation is low foaming.  Practically odorless when applied as directed.

Wax Off:  Gel clings to baseboards and other hard-to-reach areas to remove soil, wax, and floor finishes.  Fresh citrus scent is a welcome change from harsh, chemical odors that typically accompany floor strippers.  Popularly used in areas such as corners, under cabinets, around fixtures, and steps.

Ultra Black Magic:  A non-powdering, salt resistant, self polishing finish designed for use on skate resistant flooring materials such as belting and rubber matting.  Dries to a high gloss approximately 30 minutes.   One liter covers 60-65m²

Wood Floor Polish and Cleaning the Wood Floor

Bona Care Floor Cleaner:   Maker of the best cleaning products for hardwood floors.  Ready-to-use hardwood floor cleaner.  Specially formulated for cleaning all types of wood floors with a clear unwaxed finish, including all finished floors.  Can also be used for cleaning laminate wood floors.

Floor Cleaners

Nutra Clean:  Neutral pH floor cleaner fights discoloration and eliminates soil buildup without compromising the shine of an applied floor finish, no-wax floor, or ceramic floor tile.  Neutral pH formulation ensures that finish will not be dulled, and that mop streaks or soapy film will not be left behind.  Controlled foam formulation makes it ideal for use in automatic scrubbers.  Has a pleasant fragrance and can be used with confidence on a frequent basis.

HG Concentrate:    Floor cleaner and scrub detergent with mild alkalinity to remove heavier soil deposits.  Synthetic cleaner has no soap content.  Contains controlled foaming surfactants, sequestering agents and active detergent builders. Equally effectively with hard or soft water.    An excellent cement floor cleaner.

Pine Floor Cleaner:  Designed for cleaning the concrete floor in industrial, kitchen or commercial applications where removing heavy grease and deeply embedded soil is paramount concern.  Alkaline builders, wetting agents, and solvents combine to remove accumulated stains and deposits and eliminate odors.  Restore floors that have not been maintained over long periods of time.  Concentrated formulation allows for economical use with no compromise of cleaning power.  Popularly used as a kitchen floor cleaner.

Lemon Tree:  A lemon-scented cleaner, disinfectant designed for institutional use where the need to control the hazard of cross infection is of prime importance. Eliminates at the source odors caused by the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi.  In addition to flooring, popularly used on walls, sink tops, garbage pails, telephones, rest rooms, and bed pans.

Quicksorb: Potent compound absorbs 60 times its weight in organic and inorganic spills. Goes to work instantly after its is applied to soak up vomit, blood, urine, and other spills on hard surfaces, neutralizing odors in the process. Cures unpleasant messes into an odor-free gel-like mass that can be quickly swept up and disposed of. Popularly used in grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, day care facilities, and health clinics.

Watch it work:

Clean Sweep: Sweeping compound eliminates airborne dust movement and re-disposition by “wetting” and holding the finer dust particles commonly left behind in regular floor cleaning. Also prevents slippery patches on floors by absorbing soil-laden oil, and provides excellent pickup of other materials including metal particles and shavings.  Popularly used in auto repair garages, machine shops and die casting operations.

Dust Mop Treatment: Pleasantly scented spray acts like a magnet to attract dust and lint to mops and cloths. Prevents scattering and increases cleaning capacity of mops, cloths, and mitts. Washes out easily, as saturated mops can be shaken out or machine washed for quick reuse. Keeps dust mops and cloths looking new.  Helps brighten and protect dusted surfaces.  Ideal for cleaning venetian blinds, wood and linoleum flooring, and other surfaces.