Gives your stained floors floor designs that glossy wet look to really make them pop! This can lead to flaking and delamination of a sealer - a common problem with stained concrete floors. This acid-stained grocery store floor in the Detroit metro area has been well maintained with the use of floor finish. Buff the floor with a floor buffer or polishing machine if you used a buff-in wax that requires buffing to burnish it. Having someone come into your business to clean and wax your floors regularly represents a considerable expense. When the concrete wax does start to dull or scuff, simply clean and re-apply a fresh coat of wax. Don't use a cotton fiber floor mop as it can leave lint and fibers embedded in the wax. Premier Veneers, 4460 Curtis Road, Leonard, MI, 48367, United States. What is less well understood is the necessity to use a floor finish - or polish -on top of that sealer. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Apply a concrete sealant to the floor before waxing it. Manufacturers of some sealers, such as chemical-resistant urethanes, do not recommend applying a wax or floor finish. After these original applications of floor finish, the stained concrete surface should last indefinitely as long as it is maintained. Theres no need for surface coatings with concrete polish. Consequently, the sealer's purposes are slightly different and more basic than that of a floor finish: 1) to enhance or deepen the color, or "tone", of the stain; and 2) to provide long-term protection for the floor color, and design, from harsh environmental forces, such as accumulated moisture, chemical spills, heavy abrasion and repeat wear patterns. Even other than concrete wax, getting out other types of wax from surfaces is an issue often. A common recommendation is to use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipe-down to get rid of wax. What Is Floor Wax?Most floor finishes are water-based acrylic copolymers suitable for use under normal foot traffic. I thought about the clear coat as I do appreciate the natural beauty of wood, but with these doors the 2 pieces of wood vertical on the sides are lighter than the panel part in the middle and I'd love to smooth out the tone with the stain rather than see that stark contrast. The wax (that you must apply a few times per year) is the FIRST layer in that protection. We routinely use and recommend Spartanbrand polishes, and they just introduced a new matte floor finish, called PROmatte. It's why your grandmother was so happy to kiss that type of maintenance intensive finish goodbye. The appearance of a concrete floor finished with concrete wax is similar to a polished concrete floor, but should not be confused, as the application processes are completely different. How Long Does Floor Wax Last?As a general rule, a wax finish will not scratch under normal daily use, but it is likely to wear over time. Apply this to the waxed floor generously with a mop or soft bristle brush. Tips for Removing Carpet Stains, Kitchen Counters: Concrete, the Nearly Indestructible Option, 5 Benefits to Concrete Floors for Everyday Living, Considering Concrete Floors? *9qQ,;Ui^7iSeq'W)( r4|OKr See a demonstration of how the micro-fiber mop tool can be used to apply floor wax to concrete, Copyright 1999-2022 ConcreteNetwork.com - None of this site may be reproduced without written permission, Tips for using and applying a sacrificial wax to decorative concrete floors, Contact us and view our privacy policy, terms & conditions, and press room. Hudsonville, MI 49426. Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences. Why do you need both a sealer and a floor wax? Businesses that need to maintain large areas of waxed flooring do so by hiring a company to perform the work at regular intervals. These particles tend to coagulate and settle out of suspension in a sealer during application. Wax gets cloudy in the presence of moisture. For example, most concrete sealers are relatively glossy. Choosing and installing the proper system, however, can be a daunting task to someone without a background in floor coatings or chemistry. The lint-free quality of a microfiber mop is important in creating an even shine on the floor. Most people with an appreciation of acid-stained concrete flooring understand that it needs to be sealed. On the color compass, I was initially drawn to both the American Walnut and the Cedar (as well as the Dark Mahogany) so I think we are on the right track. Because floor polishes are more complex than sealers, manufacturers generally carry numerous formulations (see Spartan Chemical's product line) that vary in solids content, hardness, type and amount of polymers (acrylic & urethane) and waxes (natural & synthetic), chemical resistance, and depth and clarity of shine. It can be found online or at local janitorial supply houses. :is^UseU2dx&|el`FN^^JLb"7*JBcB{bESY8NAG#Vw_:pZwT8fW2juEX"5qy:UG4u}9|d 6&d_x:eo)UQoMui*0w;[E,+ ;T0' iD?eck1?`-P}`X9I&v:Q! cHp,*9;u4N ^ TPI Wnr&EVT6S. Matte buff-in products don't provide as high a sheen on the floor, but it works the wax more into the floor, providing better protection. Even washing the floor with vinegar causes the wax to scuff or look cloudy. This process is faster and cleaner than most people expect. Time: 03:49 For example, industrial or commercial use generally requires six coats of wax for added protection. Dry time can vary due to temperature, humidity, and other conditions. Pour the wax into a spray bottle. ~Lynn Sengotta, June 3, 2014. They are not meant to be removed. We will inform you about latest news and projects in the industry. Lay an even line of spray along the bottom, making two to three passes with the spray bottle. Cement floor wax comes in several types, so look for a liquid designed for residential use. Photo courtesy of:Qualified Construction Corp. Every successful acid-stained concrete flooring project requires a long term, protective, clear coating system. [xYY`{RIox9Z}0?o/~{?EH\+3O).zP=aMi.='<9~Gv;((Ht{lQUX/7NnR&J+'/2Fft1 y|W/8Ru61c;M~TU"@c~wYn7Uy Tp:a1:Qp{58s;J*z[,1qd8SzLsT0'%-Kni^i4-T+E*43#b&LOQJn2Bk7m"~\ e/ [mDN^3@ lE[%q(EehE}69;if6YV4`rF.,3$,Q. Specifically, floor polishes always need to be applied to a clean, dry, pH-neutral, non-porous (sealed) surface in extremely thin coats and within a certain range of temperature and relative humidity. The durability of concrete waxes depends on the grade. Your floors should be finished with a commercial grade epoxy that is compatible with whatever products your finisher used. I have stained and sealed concrete, which I then applied two layers of Trewax. No SPAM nor daily E-mails. And because floor polishes are so inexpensive - about $18-22 per gallon -and easy to apply, there is really no good reason not to use one. Most installers protect stained concrete floors with several coats of floor finish and as many as 6 to 10 coats in high-traffic areas. Once the wax loosens up, rinse the floor using a clean mop and warm water. But there are several common problems with this approach. Solvent-based floor waxes are usually applied with heavy-duty floor machines equipped with brush or buffing attachments. Repairs quickly, is long lasting, burnishable, and is easy to scrub and recoat. Epoxy finish is tough as nails we used that in our restaurant kitchen nothing hurt it so just remove the wax but before using anything ask the flooring company what they reccomend with the finish they applied, Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. At the same time, this wax also makes the formulation of floor polish much more complex, and therefore, it requires other ingredients - modifiers (5%), such as "dibasic esters" - to make the polymer and wax compatible. Commercial Restaurant Flooring Why Polished Concrete? One great benefit of floor polish few people are aware of is its ability toadjust the glossof sealed acid-stained concrete. Keep in mind that polished concrete is a great option for public areas where you need a low or no-VOC option that doesnt trap allergens. (FedEx Delivery / Lower 48 U.S. States Only), While this is wax for concrete floors(specifically floor wax for stained concrete), it is great for All Types of floors, including. As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. tj@E How to Permanently Seal Concrete Table??? One of the many benefits of polishing an existing concrete floor is that its easy to keep clean, and theres no need for a professional to apply and buff wax at regular intervals to maintain the shine. You can purchase most floor finish products from a janitorial supply house or from concrete stain manufacturers. Concrete wax is based on a surface process and concrete polishing on a mechanical process of the floor. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. Allow the layer of sealant on the cement floor to dry completely. Pay now for epoxy or pay later with wax, wax, wax, wax and then STRIPPING IT and then more waxrepeat until you are sick of the waxing.and decide to get another floor. Starting the job one day and finishing on a different day could cause visible lines where the wax from the first day dried before being overlapped with wax on the second day. Add wax to a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mop head to moisten it. Using two or more thin coats of a matteor even satinfloor polish on top of a sealed concrete floor will tone down its gloss considerably. Bad choice of wax! How do I Refinish an Armstrong Solarium No Wax Floor? Time: 02:38 If you use a commercial-grade cement floor wax, rent an electric floor buffer with pads. As a result, gloss adjustment has to be done by adding particles to the sealer. The company makes its own line of commercial cleaning and hygiene products. Vinegar is a reliable option to use if you need to get rid of an old coat of wax from a surface, but should not be used to clean waxed furniture. You can acid-stain concrete, add a colorant to the mix during pouring, or paint over its surface and add a sealer to protect the concrete. Wax-on; wax-off grasshopper. Continue spraying and mopping the floor in sections until the entire floor is covered with wax. XL Matte Floor Finish, from XL North, is also available online. Based outside Atlanta, Ga., Shala Munroe has been writing and copy editing since 1995. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Apply more than one coat for high-traffic areas. If you want staining and damage and lots of maintenance you work with unsealed or acrylic coatings (such as the Brickform 650). Smooth the wax onto the floor using the microfiber mop in a nondirectional way, such as swooping it in loops or figure 8s. Add painter's tape the to the edge of baseshoe molding or baseboards to protect them from any wax that might touch them as you mop. Commercial floor wax // Leaf Group, Concrete Network: Using Sacrificial Floor Wax for Concrete Floors, Concrete Network: How to Apply Floor Wax With a Micro-fiber Mop, Concrete Network: Concrete Sealers -- Buying Tips. The reason is simple. Most of the acrylic-based wax concrete are mop-down products that can be applied with a microfiber mop. Start in the far corner of the room, away from the entrance door. In short, floor polish provides a very user friendly interface with a concrete sealerthat can be easily repaired and maintained. We are always happy to help! Don't leave containers with wax sitting on the floor, as they often leave and create rings on the waxed floor that mimic the container's bottom. Depending on the square footage and geographical location of the business, prices vary widely. There is a glossy epoxy finish. "iShine", a high solids floor polish from Spartan Chemical that imparts maximum gloss, optical clarity and durability to an acid-stained concrete floor. (>AJdkkP46MKv"I=. It is advised to not use cotton mops as they can leave streak marks and lint onto the wax concrete floor. I placed wax on top of the epoxy, as this was recommended to me. Concrete polish However, be sure to check with your sealer manufacturer to verify that the floor wax is compatible for use over their product. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website. . One of the Most Important Factors in Disinfecting. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. While concrete floors that are polished, sealed, and sometimes dyed have a high shine surface that appears waxed, the truth is that the polishing process itself produces a high shine without the use of any additional products, including wax. For home use, you may only need to apply wax once or twice a year, depending upon traffic. Concrete Wax, or Wax Concrete is basically a finisher for floors, usually water-based acrylic copolymers that are meant for use under normal foot traffic. There are numerous worthwhile and even essential benefits to be gained from using a floor polish that cannot be derived through use of a concrete sealer alone. COPYRIGHT 2008 - 2019 Xtreme Engineered Floor Systems -, Commercial Floor Wax vs. This is a very common question that is asked by homeowners or even business corporations who have decided to opt for waxed concrete floors. Another problem with the use of flattening particles in sealers is that they tend to interfere with strength and durability, thereby making a sealer more brittle. A good sealer protects floors from liquid damage, which if left unsealed, can create stains. If maintained well, they also stay slip-resistant. Interior door stain color and knob choice- help! And to be clear, the 650 is the VOC content on this SOLVENT based product. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The same can be done on acid-stained concrete. Is wax not recommended? We have evaluated the matte polishes from other companies as well, such as Johnson, EcoLab, and Glaze 'N Seal, and these products fall into a third, fourth, and fifth tier because they use particulate additives rather than dibasic esters, and these additives vary in size from large to small, which is the least effective size for modifying gloss. White granite, timber shelving and black sink. This acid-stained finished basement concrete floor is a good example of the dull, "matte" sheen that can be achieved with a matte floor polish or low gloss sealer. Protects your stained concrete from wear and tear. Wax alone will do nothing. Wax works well on VTC flooring, while sealers work best on stone laminate and hardwood floors. Isopropyl alcohol does have degreasing properties, but a degreaser works as a much more efficient option. per Gallon per Coat. And this is why the maintenance of the lower-end finishes are MUCH greater than the HIGH-END epoxy. The basic difference between a sealer and floor polish is in the composition. A clear, film-forming sealer is just as important to acid-stained concrete flooring as floor finish, but it is meant to be more of a permanentprotective layer. Also, one thing to keep in mind is that because of these complex formulations, even floor polishes that have not been dulled in any way usually still vary considerably in gloss from one brand to another. If you want longevity with LOW maintenance you work with epoxy coatings. Such is not always the case though, and the material required will always be based on your specific needs. There are states in the USA that make this level of VOC illegal for use indoors (California comes to mind). The way floor polishes are matted is by using a particulate additive, (e.g., silicon), hard wax (e.g., polypropylene), dull resin (e.g, polyvinyl acetate)or liquid compounds of these materials (e.g., silica gelled waxes).