The purpose of stripping a floor is to remove all the old floor finish off the
floor. Over time floor finish can turn yellow and can build a haze.
If burnishing or polishing your floor does not correct this, it's probably time
to strip your floors and do a new recoat. Stripping a floor can be a quick
and clean procedure if you have the correct tools for the job. The use of
a good floor stripper will make your life much easier, it's better to have the
floor stripper remove the wax rather than using hard labor. Removing old
floor finish is basically a three step process:
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Make sure that your floor has been prepared for stripping. Clean the floor
removing as much dirt and debris as possible.
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After you have the floor has been prepared vacuum or dust mop the floor to
remove any dust. We recommend that you spray your duct mop with dust mop
treatment to remove as much dust as possible. Make sure to remove anything
stuck to the floor because this will gum up or rip the floor pad.
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Make sure that the floor are you are stripping does not and will not have
traffic moving through it. Use warning signs to make sure the area where
you are stripping is marked out so that everyone is aware of the area.
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Stripping a floor requires a mop bucket, cotton or blended mop, floor machine
(175-300rpm's) and a black or hi-pr stripping floor pad. Follow the
manufacturers specifications for applying the floor stripper. Fill the mop
bucket up 1/2 way with floor stripper. Dip the mop into the stripper a
lightly wring. Break the floor down into 6' by 6' sections and start
applying the stripper to the floor at the furthest corner of the room.
Apply the stripper in a figure 8 motion overlapping each stroke by about an
inch. After you have applied the stripper let the it sit on the floor for
5-7 minutes. This will give the stripper a chance to react with the floor
finish.
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Next place a hi-pro or black floor pad on your floor machines. When
stripping a floor move the floor machine back and forth on the floor overlapping
by at least 1 inch on each pass. As the floor finish is removed from the
floor it will become duller. You may need to spend extra time on areas
with finish buildup. The main traffic area on the floor will have less
buildup than low traffic areas.
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Once used the floor machine on the 6' by 6' area remove the stripper from the
floor using either a blended mop of wet dry vacuum preferably one that has a
front mount squeegee. (NSS is a great manufacturer of wet dry vacuums with front
mount squeegees). Do not let the stripper finish mixture dry. if the
area does dry apply more stripper to reloosen the finish.
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After the you have removed the floor stripper from the floor rinse the floor
with warm water. Rinse the floor two more times with cold water.
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After the third rinse with plain water, rinse the floor with a floor stripper
neutralizer. Neutralizer will reduce the white residue left by the floor
stripper so that the floor finish can adhere to the floor much better.
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After the neutralizer dries check for white residue on the floor using a black
towel. If residue still exists rinse one more time with cold water.
Once all these steps have been completed check the floor for shiny spots.
If shiny spots are evident you may need to re-strip these areas.
Stripping
Floors
HOW TO STRIP A FLOOR