has anyone stripped waxed grouted tile?

[idreadnought]

I have the opportunity to do a bid on stripping 2500 sq feet of grouted tile with a floor finish on it. I am leaning toward passing but I was wondering how much work it would be? Has anyone done it?

 

[Larry Cobb]

Richard;

It will require higher pH cleaners with solvents to loosen the floor finish.

Depending on how often they strip the floor, it may be many coats of finish.

Do a test area with a good solvent-containing floor stripper to see what you are dealing with.

Larry

 

[CrazyRay]

Richard, I agree with what Larry said. I've done it. You could easily triple or quadruple the amount of time to do it compared to what you would normally spend on that job. Lots of heat also helps. I did a house with about 1200 sq ft of ceramic coated in floor finish. It took me two trips about a half a day each time.

 

[Bruce Humphrey]

I've done it and would do it again if asked. Make sure you do a test strip so you can show the customer.

Before

View attachment 2365

After

View attachment 2366

Up Close After

View attachment 2367

This is my test before and after, I showed the customer that not all of the wax was going to come out of the grout.

 

[Jeremy]

I've done it and its a pain in the butt... Charge accordingly and under promise...

 

[rhino1]

done it lots of times... highest ph/strongest stripper you can find. Let the stripper dwell for a looong time, like 30 minutes at least, and scrub each grout line. Repeat if necessary. You still may not get every particle of wax out of the grout, a lot depends on how long it has been down, and how many coats were applied, as well as to what type of wax was used.

 

[Kevin B]

You can get every piece out of the grout, but it will require lots and lots of work. I would say 4-5 times longer than standard TG is not unusual. By the time they call you to fix the sunburn look, its going to cost them.

 

[Ron Lippold]

Just like others have said it will all come out it just takes time, I like mixing a couple of different strippers together, seems to cut through a little faster.

 

[Shane Deubell]

Definitely would test an area first, depends what kind of finish was used and how many layers. Sometimes it comes right off, other times total nightmare.

Wouldn't be afraid of it though.

 

[John Olson]

Ok the following advice can be dangerous to your equipment. The best way to get it ALL OUT is to use your truckmount and Turbo Hybrid. Lay your stripper down as normal and scrub the grout lines then re-apply the stripper making sure to keep it wet for at least 10 minutes. Set your TM for 1000-1200 PSI. Make absolutely sure to run de-doamer through your hose and in your waste tank. Make absolutely sure your waste tank shut off float works. Run your turbo as normal and you will pull all the wax out. You DO NOT want your waste tank to over flow into your blower or suck foam through it. The wax will shellac the lobes. Also you must run clean hot water through the hoses immediate upon completion and rinse your waste tank. This cannot wait until tomorrow. You will be amazed how easy it comes out of the grout lines. This information is coming from, John the cleaner not Superior Cleaning Solutions. I have done this process myself before I came to the supply side and have helped several times since but you absolutely must not let anything go through your blower. Defoamer is cheap do not be afraid to use it.

 

[Curtis Pennnington]

Wax on tile is on the biggest PITA ever to do. Strongest stripper, scrub and rinse with tile tool as stated is all u can do. Being easy? Heck no....but
you will have to do some areas several times and also a nice big flat head screwdriver will help peel up the wax ( with the stripper down) in the worst areas. Charge double at the least .
Have fun

 

[Shane Deubell]

If possible wet vac up the slurry then turbo it with your tm. You can buy one pretty cheap at home depot.

 

[boazcan]

Wax and acrylic sealer are 2 completely different things. It helps to know what is on the floor.

Anywhere from 3-5 x as long as normal.

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