Concrete floor help/question

[Clean Response]

They want me to bid this concrete floor they are asking to clean/buff it.

I never done any thing other than tile cleaning for hard surfaces. I got a Cimex to scrub and a small 12' rotary too. Would I put a striping agent down and then seal it or what would you do. Also how much would you charge 650 sqft.

Thanks,

 

[Mikey P]

Is there a topical on it?

 

[KSL]

Honestly, I wouldn’t do the job. It appears that it has excessive sealer on it and the floor has excessive cracking. Even if you got it down to the concrete you would have to allow at least a day for it to be properly dried out. At best I would offer a scrub and recoat at $1.00 per sq/ft.

 

[Mikey P]

Yep, just clean it and slop some more "wax" down

Nuetral to 9 pH tops, Cimex, HS wand at 300 psi and warm water

 

[Clean Response]

Is there a topical on it?

There is something on it that makes slight shine.

I was thinking that I would do like you said

"Nuetral to 9 pH tops, Cimex, HS wand at 300 psi and warm water" and finish up with mop and glow to make it look glossy for them.

 

[Mikey P]

No mopNglow

 

[Clean Response]

No mopNglow

What can I put on it to give some shine. I think that is what they are looking for is for it have some sheen to it.

 

[Hack Attack]

dirty floors can look shiney till they're cleaned

 

[Mikey P]

What can I put on it to give some shine. I think that is what they are looking for is for it have some sheen to it.

VCT floor finish

 

[KSL]

I would use a floor sealer instead of a finish, it will be more durable.

 

[Mikey P]

Can you please define the difference

If there is already a "finish" present, how does a sealer do it's thing

 

[scotty747]

Forget the Cimex. Use your rotary. Suck up the slop and then final rinse with vinegar. Go to Home Depot. One coat sealer, two coats finish. It sucks waiting for wax to dry but there's a noticeable difference in appearance between one and three coats. Don't use a fan to help dry if you think theres dust anywhere in the room or you'll have a furry floor.

 

[scotty747]

Finish will bond to sealer better than cold concrete. Sealer will bond to cold concrete better than finish. It looks polished to me.

 

[KSL]

Can you please define the difference

If there is already a "finish" present, how does a sealer do it's thing

when you are dealing with a porous surface the sealer will fill in the surface so a finish will bond better. Without the sealer the finish will be sucked into the concrete like a sponge. If it is not going to be maintained I would just go with two coats of seal. The finish will provide a higher shine but is not durable without maintenance.

 

[Mikey P]

I get all that but he doesn't want top strip the existing topical, just clean it and apply another coat or three of something yet to be determined..

 

[Cleanworks]

175 with a red pad, neutral cleaner, mop it dry and apply 1-2 coats of vct finish like Mikeys says. It will be cleaner and shinier. Don't attempt to strip unless you know what you are doing.

 

[KSL]

I would want to clarify with the customer what “clean” means to them. Depending on the topical on the floor now, if it’s finish it will most likely be down to the concrete under those mats. If they just want a quick hit, do it Mikey and Ron’s way.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You treat that floor just like vct. Finish or no finish on it. If it has finish (sacrificial) on it, you want it off. If it doesn’t have, you want it stripped and then put sacrificial finish on it. Vct finish. You can not hurt that floor.

 

[clean image]

I would NOT recommend a VCT finish. Too soft. Better options

I would recommend a 2 component sealer or at least one rated for durability

 

[Mikey P]

I would NOT recommend a VCT finish. Too soft. Better options

I would recommend a 2 component sealer or at least one rated for durability

How much time does either take to apply?

 

[BIG WOOD]

This concrete has been polished with diamond pads. I thought you didn't need any sealer due to the process that was used to polish it with those diamond pads

 

[Mikey P]

A penetrative would be smart

Or..

SmartKrete Smartguard SP-SK-SGSP

 

[scotty747]

Iv used my burnisher on polished concrete. Good results but the floor was in good shape too.

 

[The Great Oz]

This concrete has been polished with diamond pads. I thought you didn't need any sealer due to the process that was used to polish it with those diamond pads

Only a topical will protect concrete from acid damage. Unless you're certain there's a topical sealer and not just a gunk polish, I wouldn't go wild with anything acidic.

Might be worth asking if they know what's on it now.

 

[Clean Response]

Only a topical will protect concrete from acid damage. Unless you're certain there's a topical sealer and not just a gunk polish, I wouldn't go wild with anything acidic.

Might be worth asking if they know what's on it now.

They don't know what on it.

They just asked me to clean and polish it. I been doing everything else for them there carpets, cubicles, chairs, and even windows. So I wanted to see if I should/could do this too.

I appreciate everyone's help and input. I am thinking I am going to go with a red pad, neutral cleaner, mop it dry and apply 1-2 coats of vct finish like Mikeys and Ron say unless I here something better for advice.

 

[Cleanworks]

They don't know what on it.

They just asked me to clean and polish it. I been doing everything else for them there carpets, cubicles, chairs, and even windows. So I wanted to see if I should/could do this too.

I appreciate everyone's help and input. I am thinking I am going to go with a red pad, neutral cleaner, mop it dry and apply 1-2 coats of vct finish like Mikeys and Ron say unless I here something better for advice.

That will probably work for now. Eventually it will need to be stripped and refinished. Good time to start learning how, as well as how to price it when it comes due.

 

[Clean Response]

Is this what you guys are talking about for finish?



#1 #2

And which one of these should use? I am thinking #1 as the other one (#2) says to burnish it when I get done doing 4 coats.

 

[Hack Attack]

which Zep carpet cleaner works the best?

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Lordy, I don’t know how you can tell how that floor has been polished from the pic? Diamond polished is usually shinier. I use twister pads on those with a propane buffer. If it’s an acid stain floor, we treat them like vct. Keep in mind, time is always an essence usually.

 

[Cleanworks]

Not a fan of the zep products but it will work. The wet look is too shiny in my opinion. Any vct finish will do. Just make sure before you do anything, that the original finish is still in good shape, with no peeling or excessive yellowing. Ideally, the floor should be stripped and sealed with concrete sealer but if they're just looking for a little cleaner and a little shinier, go ahead with your plan.