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The following troubleshooting guide is intended to highlight the most common
causes of problems experienced in the field. The "most likely causes" shown for each problem are listed in rank
order of likely occurrence. The information can provide a useful tool in identifying problems and
implementing a remedy.
Problem - Poor Gloss
|
Most
Likely Cause |
Solution |
|
Insufficient coats applied
(recoat schedule off or area not properly identified as main vs.
secondary traffic. |
Scrub, rinse, and apply
additional coats (maintain 4 to 6 coats) |
|
Thin coats of finish |
Apply in medium coats, not
with a wrung out mop. |
|
Wrong scrubbing or buffing
pads/brushes used (usually too aggressive) |
Use approved pads or brushes
and follow recoat procedures. |
|
Excessive amount of sand and
grit is on the floor. |
Use approved mats and runners
of sufficient length and width. |
|
Floor not properly rinsed
before recoat |
Thoroughly dust mop before
cleaning, remove grit, etc. outside doors, strip, properly rinse, and
apply new finish. |
|
Ammonia, bleach, or stripping
solution used in scrubber or mop bucket for routine cleaning. |
Use approved cleaners only |
|
Dirty equipment used to apply
finish (stripper mop used etc). |
Strip, properly rinse, and
apply new finish using clean equipment. |
|
Tile becoming old or very
porous |
Apply additional coats of
finish, use sealer before finishing floor. |
|
Additional coats applied
before previous coat dry (will likely experience mop drag and look
hazy). |
Allow next coat to dry
sufficiently - if problem not solved strip, rinse and reapply finish. |
|
Improper cleaner dilutions. |
Always measure
detergent (excess cleaner residue can cause dulling. |
Problem - Scuffing and
Scratching of Finish
| Most Likely Cause |
Solution |
|
Wrong scrubbing or buffing
pads/brushes |
Use approved pads and brushes |
|
Excessive dirt and grit on
floor |
Use approved mats and runners,
thoroughly dust mop before cleaning. |
|
Not scrubbing or buffing
enough |
Verify areas are correctly
classified as main or secondary traffic area. Follow recommended
procedures |
|
Unequal pad pressures on twin
pad autoscrubbers |
Adjust |
|
Stones, grit not picked up by
autoscrubber or mop (grit buffed into floor or dragged by squeegee) |
Check work area to avoid this
problem. (May need to dust mop again prior to buffing in problem areas:
doorways, etc. |
Problem - Floor Finish
Discolored (Yellow or Brown)
|
Most Likely Cause |
Solution |
|
New cotton mops used to apply
finish before soaked and cleaned (sizing can release and yellow floor. |
Deep scrub to remove dirt and
color, clean mop thoroughly. |
|
Not using automatic scrubber
for daily cleaning particularly when on ultra high program prior to any
buffing (grinding dirt into finish) |
Must use auto scrubber and
proper pads/cleaner on daily basis: Damp mopping is not sufficient. |
|
Damp mopping with dirty water
(spreading dirt). |
When using a mop always change
water frequently and use two pail system. |
|
Excessive dirt, sand and grit
allowed to enter facility and being ground into finish |
Use approved mats and runners. |
|
Water trails left by auto
scrubber |
Minimize trails with equipment
maintenance and operator training. |
|
Dirty mops used to pick up
water trails from scrubber leaving dirt which can be buffed into finish. |
Train scrubber operator, use
clean mop, and change rinse water frequently. |
|
Buffing pads contain dirt and
finish accumulations. |
Always use clean pads: Rotate
or replace as needed. |
|
Incorrect concentration of
cleaner: Too much cleaner can soften finish and/or leave residue which
can hold dirt deposits. Too little cleaner will not permit adequate dirt
removal. |
Follow recommended floor care
procedures. |
|
Oil treated dust mops being
used, leaving dirt catching residue on floor. |
Use Paraffin treated mops |
|
Applying floor finish before
floor has been properly scrubbed and rinsed (dirt coated into floor
finish). |
Strip, rinse, and reapply
finish. |
|
Getting buildup by applying
finish to edges every time floor is coated (edges turning color) |
Do not recoat outer 4 to 6
inches every time floor is finished. |
|
Fans used to force dry floor
finish resulting in dirt catching bubbles and pockets (dirt can then be
buffed into finish). |
Never direct fans at floor
finish: If fans are used, aim upward for air circulation in area. |
|
Dirty Mops |
Always use clean mops: If
dirty mops or equipment used, strip, rinse and reapply finish. |
|
Contaminated floor finish.
(Unused finish should never be returned to original container. |
Dispose of unused finish. |
|
Incorrect buffing pads being
used allowing a color transfer to high spots in the floor. |
Use approved pads |
Problem - Powdering of
Floor Finish
|
Most Likely Cause |
Solution |
|
Applying coats too thin. |
Utilize medium coats |
|
Wrong buffing pads or brushes
used (too aggressive) |
Use recommended pads and
brushes |
|
Floor not rinsed before floor
finish applied: Heavy cleaner residues can prevent good adhesion* |
Floor must be thoroughly
rinsed before applying floor finish |
|
Dirty buffing pads being used. |
Change or rotate pads during
buffing and clean pads after each use. |
|
Fans used to force dry floor
finish: Surface may dry too quickly and not allow finish to form a good
bond. |
Never direct fans at floor
finish: If fans are used, aim upward for air circulation. |
|
Hardeners surfacing from floor
(composition floors such as Terrazzo preventing adhesion).* |
If finish does not adhere
apply sealer before applying floor finish. |
|
Finish designed for low speed
buffing is being burnished |
Always match the chemicals to
the buffing R.P.M. |
|
Finish applied before floor or
previous coat dries. |
Strip, rinse, and allow floor
to dry before applying finish. |
|
Stripper residue left on floor
due to poor rinsing (finish not sticking to floor). |
Strip, rinse thoroughly, and
reapply finish. |
|
Old floor finish not
completely removed (incompatibility of coatings). |
Only used approved finish, do
not apply soft buffable finishes over harder finishes. |
|
Factory finish not stripped
off of new tile before finishing. |
Strip, rinse and reapply
finish. |
|
Frozen floor finish (may bead
up on floor during application). |
Do not proceed with finish:
Replace with good product. |
Problem - Streaks in Floor Finish and/or Floor Finish Exhibiting a Alligator
Effect.
|
Most Likely Cause. |
Solution |
|
Floor finish or seal not thoroughly
dry before applying additional coats. |
Strip, rinse, and reapply - Do
not recoat if mop drags |
|
Contaminated mops or pails
used to apply finish (i.e.: dirty strip mot used). |
Strip, rinse, and reapply
floor finish using clean equipment. |
|
Floor finish frozen or stored
in extreme heat. |
Replace damaged product.
Strip, rinse, and reapply new finish |
|
Floor finish applied over
factory finish on new tile. |
Strip, rinse, and reapply
finish. |
|
Contaminated finish put back
in original container. |
Do not use left over finish,
dispose of contaminated finish, strip, rinse, and reapply new finish. |
|
Improperly rinsed floor before
coating. |
Rinse floor after scrubbing or
stripping before floor finish is applied. |
|
Dirty mop or equipment used
when applying finish. |
Insure equipment is clean
before attempting to apply finish |
|
Floor not thoroughly scrubbed
and rinsed before applying finish. |
Scrub and rinse floor
thoroughly before applying finish. |
|
Hardeners surfacing in floor
(Terrazzo and Concrete) preventing adhesion. |
If finish does not adhere,
seal floor before applying floor finish. |
|
Cotton mop heads that have not
been soaked prior to initial use. |
Soak new cotton mop heads
prior to first use for mopping or applying finishes. Rayon or finish
mops are recommended for finish application. |
Problem - Floors Seem
Slippery
|
Most Likely Cause. |
Solution |
|
Silicone based products
(furniture polishes, glass cleaners) getting on floor due to aerosol
overspray or accidental spills. |
If silicone based products are
used near aisles, apply to rag prior to use to reduce the chance of
overspray hitting the floor. Scrub floor thoroughly to remove: If floor
is still slippery after cleaning, apply a medium coat of finish over
affected area. |
|
Ice melting compounds on
floor. |
Clean contaminated (normally
near entrances and at end of runners) floor thoroughly with clean water
to remove - do not use detergents or vinegar when spot cleaning. Control
the amount of ice melting chemicals used. Used approved mats and
runners. Clean mats and runners occasionally with a wet-dry vac or wet
extractor using plain water |
|
Powder residue left on floor
after burnishing, etc. |
Dust mop floor after burnishing. |
|
Dirt and grit on floor. |
Use approved mats and runners,
dust mop thoroughly. |
|
Improperly treated dust mops
being used, usually oil treated. |
Use Paraffin treated mops. |
|
Improper detergent solution:
Little or none will not permit removal of foreign substances. |
Always measure the detergent
and use recommended dilutions. |
|
Use of acids (vinegar) in
cleaning water: Acids will destroy the cleaning ability of detergents. |
Always measure the detergent
and use recommended dilutions. - Do not add vinegar. |
TIP:To test finish
adhesion to floor, apply one medium coat to small area and let dry (30-40 min.).
Apply good masking tape or scotch tape to finish and pull up with a quick jerk.
If finish comes off with tape you do not have good adhesion.
Information provided by SC Johnson
Professional. All rights reserved.
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