Mikey P
Administrator
Here are the pre asked questions for Dana...
Why does an OP machine work so well with the Monkey Pads but no with honing powders?
Still not sure, we first tried it at connections and haven't had a second to spare since. We'll research that as soon as possible.
Why do some powders work so well and even need be started wet, then worked until the floor is dry? I've used some powders for polishing granite with steel wool that work like that.
Two things- the water acts as a lubricant which keeps the abrasive particles in tact. As the water dries up during polishing, the abrasive particles breack down rapidly from the increased friction and therefore get finer every time you go from wet to dry. The result is that if you are polishing granite with a Tin Oxide powder polish and you repeat that process several times, the polish becomes smoother and finer which creates a deeper, clearer gloss.
What would happen if you let the floor dry out while using the monkey pads?
Nothing, because ther is no acidic component in "Monkey Pads" unlike most professional polishing compounds, there is no risk of damage. Simpley re wet and continue.
How often does your Stone Wax need to be reapplied? Does it harden like a regular wax acting as a sacrificial surface to protect the stone? Would you compare it to Stone Pro's "Finishing Touch" or TOG's "Radiance"?
Re apply as often as possible. What I reccomend is to offer 5 year FREE re polish with any other service. It costs you pennies, takes only minutes, gets you more repeat business (the best kind right???) and makes chearleaders out of even the most reserved customers.
As far as the comparison, Finishing Touch is a great product but they are like comparing apples and shoe strings. Finishing Touch is like Pledge for Granite, The wax we are talking about is very different. Its a paste, it goes deep into the pores, all residue on the surface is machine polished away using steel wool.
Do you prefer an orbital or a grinder for hand work and why?
Haven't found an orbital that works well enough on counter tops, I'll let you know if I do.
When you teach, do you use a wet vac & mop bucket, a portable, and/or a truck mount in you classes?
Portable, I don't know many true stone guys who even use a truckmount, its just an unnessecary expense for stone.
What is the best referral source for contractors to go after and how should we go about establishing them?
General Contractors, remodelers, commercial property managers, anyone who has the potential to send you several large jobs (10,000 -20,000 sq.ft.)per year. Join local contractor associations and get active! Do short presentations and demonstrations as often as possible. Contractors love a good free lunch, make friends and let them know how you can help them... SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, KEEP BUILDINGS IN GREAT CONDITION, REDUCE MAINTENANCE, ELIMINATE REPLACEMENT......
What type of color seal yields a longer lasting bond, epoxy or acrylic and why?
I like color sealers that have high pigment content, acrylic and urethane, the bond well, cover well and are easy to work with.
Explain mechanical and chemical bonds with clear and color seals?
Mechanical bond is when the sealer sticks to a surface, chemical bond is when one or more components of the sealer actually react with certain minerals in the surface it is applied to.
Does acid cleaning make color sealer bond better?
Absolutely! It opens the pores which gives the color sealer more places to hold on. Think of it like sanding before you paint for a better longer lasting bond only with chemicals instead of sand paper.
Acids, if used improperly for cleaning if you are not going to color seal will open the pores so much that several coats of a clear impregnating sealer may not be enough to provide adequate protection. Acids can also weaken grout if used improperly and not rinsed well after cleaning.
What does crystallizing do to the floor and why is there so many strong opinions against it?
One of the main components in Crystrallizer is a very strong acid which is meant to help speed the polishing and harden the stone, the wax emulsion helps give is gloss and rich color. Most people over use it to such a degree that it causes severe and irreversible damage to the stone. It actually weakens it so much that the areas of the stone with higher levels of calcium actually melt away, giving the stone a fake plastic textured look. Go to most casino lobbies and you'll see exactally what I mean.
How do you strip a floor that has been crystallized?
You don't, you must grind it away. We have found that you can bring some clarity and depth back to a stone that has been abused by over crystallizing by using monkey pads but I reccomend a 200 or 400 grit grind to knock down the damage then bring it back to 800 or 1500 with diamonds before using monkey pads.
List some good websites for education.
Don't have a recommendation.
List some of your favorite suppliers and why you like them.
The fact that we started our own line of chemicals and equipment should give you an idea of our experience with suppliers. I'll just leave it at that...
What is the biggest screw up that newbies make?
Most guys are either to scared to ever move forward or too eager and confident to hold back without gaining any experience.
Neither is profitable.
MY STRONG RECCOMENDATION IS... Install various types of marble, travertine and limestone in your shop or garage. Preferably ones that are common in your area.
THEN PRACTICE! AGAIN AND AGAIN, HONING, POLISHING BACK AND FORTH, REMOVE ETCHING, SCRATCHES AND POLISH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN TILL YOUR FEAR AND HESITATION TURNS TO CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN YOUR ABILITIES. yOUR GARAGE FLOOR WON'T SUE YOU WHEN YOU SCREW IT UP, IT WON'T LOOK AT YOU LIKE A HACK, IT WON'T EMBARRASS YOU WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND IT NEVER MINDS IF YOU GET FRUSTRATED AND DON'T WANT TO WORK ON IT TILL NEXT WEEKEND.
Why does an OP machine work so well with the Monkey Pads but no with honing powders?
Still not sure, we first tried it at connections and haven't had a second to spare since. We'll research that as soon as possible.
Why do some powders work so well and even need be started wet, then worked until the floor is dry? I've used some powders for polishing granite with steel wool that work like that.
Two things- the water acts as a lubricant which keeps the abrasive particles in tact. As the water dries up during polishing, the abrasive particles breack down rapidly from the increased friction and therefore get finer every time you go from wet to dry. The result is that if you are polishing granite with a Tin Oxide powder polish and you repeat that process several times, the polish becomes smoother and finer which creates a deeper, clearer gloss.
What would happen if you let the floor dry out while using the monkey pads?
Nothing, because ther is no acidic component in "Monkey Pads" unlike most professional polishing compounds, there is no risk of damage. Simpley re wet and continue.
How often does your Stone Wax need to be reapplied? Does it harden like a regular wax acting as a sacrificial surface to protect the stone? Would you compare it to Stone Pro's "Finishing Touch" or TOG's "Radiance"?
Re apply as often as possible. What I reccomend is to offer 5 year FREE re polish with any other service. It costs you pennies, takes only minutes, gets you more repeat business (the best kind right???) and makes chearleaders out of even the most reserved customers.
As far as the comparison, Finishing Touch is a great product but they are like comparing apples and shoe strings. Finishing Touch is like Pledge for Granite, The wax we are talking about is very different. Its a paste, it goes deep into the pores, all residue on the surface is machine polished away using steel wool.
Do you prefer an orbital or a grinder for hand work and why?
Haven't found an orbital that works well enough on counter tops, I'll let you know if I do.
When you teach, do you use a wet vac & mop bucket, a portable, and/or a truck mount in you classes?
Portable, I don't know many true stone guys who even use a truckmount, its just an unnessecary expense for stone.
What is the best referral source for contractors to go after and how should we go about establishing them?
General Contractors, remodelers, commercial property managers, anyone who has the potential to send you several large jobs (10,000 -20,000 sq.ft.)per year. Join local contractor associations and get active! Do short presentations and demonstrations as often as possible. Contractors love a good free lunch, make friends and let them know how you can help them... SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, KEEP BUILDINGS IN GREAT CONDITION, REDUCE MAINTENANCE, ELIMINATE REPLACEMENT......
What type of color seal yields a longer lasting bond, epoxy or acrylic and why?
I like color sealers that have high pigment content, acrylic and urethane, the bond well, cover well and are easy to work with.
Explain mechanical and chemical bonds with clear and color seals?
Mechanical bond is when the sealer sticks to a surface, chemical bond is when one or more components of the sealer actually react with certain minerals in the surface it is applied to.
Does acid cleaning make color sealer bond better?
Absolutely! It opens the pores which gives the color sealer more places to hold on. Think of it like sanding before you paint for a better longer lasting bond only with chemicals instead of sand paper.
Acids, if used improperly for cleaning if you are not going to color seal will open the pores so much that several coats of a clear impregnating sealer may not be enough to provide adequate protection. Acids can also weaken grout if used improperly and not rinsed well after cleaning.
What does crystallizing do to the floor and why is there so many strong opinions against it?
One of the main components in Crystrallizer is a very strong acid which is meant to help speed the polishing and harden the stone, the wax emulsion helps give is gloss and rich color. Most people over use it to such a degree that it causes severe and irreversible damage to the stone. It actually weakens it so much that the areas of the stone with higher levels of calcium actually melt away, giving the stone a fake plastic textured look. Go to most casino lobbies and you'll see exactally what I mean.
How do you strip a floor that has been crystallized?
You don't, you must grind it away. We have found that you can bring some clarity and depth back to a stone that has been abused by over crystallizing by using monkey pads but I reccomend a 200 or 400 grit grind to knock down the damage then bring it back to 800 or 1500 with diamonds before using monkey pads.
List some good websites for education.
Don't have a recommendation.
List some of your favorite suppliers and why you like them.
The fact that we started our own line of chemicals and equipment should give you an idea of our experience with suppliers. I'll just leave it at that...
What is the biggest screw up that newbies make?
Most guys are either to scared to ever move forward or too eager and confident to hold back without gaining any experience.
Neither is profitable.
MY STRONG RECCOMENDATION IS... Install various types of marble, travertine and limestone in your shop or garage. Preferably ones that are common in your area.
THEN PRACTICE! AGAIN AND AGAIN, HONING, POLISHING BACK AND FORTH, REMOVE ETCHING, SCRATCHES AND POLISH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN TILL YOUR FEAR AND HESITATION TURNS TO CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN YOUR ABILITIES. yOUR GARAGE FLOOR WON'T SUE YOU WHEN YOU SCREW IT UP, IT WON'T LOOK AT YOU LIKE A HACK, IT WON'T EMBARRASS YOU WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND IT NEVER MINDS IF YOU GET FRUSTRATED AND DON'T WANT TO WORK ON IT TILL NEXT WEEKEND.
