FLOOR PREP VIDEO: STRIPPING ACRYLIC WAX

The purpose of this video is to provide the step-by-step processes required to properly strip or remove acrylic wax from VCT, LVT, and vinyl flooring. It is extremely important to remove all existing wax from the floor prior to applying EPIC High-Performance Floor Finish. Refer to the EPIC training manual for supplies needed.

Apply tape and protective walk-off matting at the doorways. Put on shoe covers, rubber gloves, and safety glasses prior to mixing acrylic stripper. Properly dilute acrylic wax stripper with water according to label directions. Apply a liberal amount of diluted acrylic stripper to the floor while making sure to spread it evenly. Do not apply stripper solution to more surface area than can be scrubbed and extracted in a timely manner. Allow the stripper solution to dwell on the floor for 10 to 15 minutes.

Affix ultra blue or high pro black stripping pad to the 175 RPM roto. Scrub the floor slowly with the stripping pad. Caution: Floors will likely be very slippery. Step only on areas that have been scrubbed to minimize slipping. If floors feel slippery underfoot, more scrubbing is likely needed. Scrubbing with the stripping pad should create a milky slurry and loosen the acrylic finish.

Since most floors are uneven, make sure to run the machine in at least two different directions to ensure that the acrylic is all being removed. Turn machine on its edge to increase PSI on stubborn and hard-to-remove areas. Keep the slurry from getting dry. If the floor becomes dry, add plain water. Flip the stripping pad if it becomes clogged or ineffective. Pads can be rinsed out with water and reused. Abrade wall edges, corners, and other hard-to-reach areas using a doodle bug and stripping pad. Do not rely on the floor machine alone to prepare the edges and corners. Use scrapers or razor blades to carefully remove heavy buildup. After scrubbing the floor, immediately extract the slurry from the floor surface using a wet vacuum. Visually inspect the floor for remaining acrylic. If a heavy buildup remains, add more stripper and repeat scrubbing process.

For VCT or smooth floors, a screen may be placed under the black pad to remove small amounts of remaining stubborn wax. Choose from the following grit screens: 60, 80, 100, 120, or 150 grit. Always test the screening process in an inconspicuous area to ensure that the VCT flooring is not damaged from this process. After screen rinsing the floor, immediately extract all water from the floor surface using a wet vacuum. Once all wax has been removed, mix citric acid and water according to directions.

Apply a liberal amount of citric acid solution to the floor. Affix a new clean Ultra Blue or high pro black stripping pad directly to the floor machine. Scrub the citric acid solution to neutralize the floor. Extract citric acid solution from the floor surface using a wet vacuum. Test floor pH to ensure that the floor surface is neutral before proceeding. If pH equals 7, proceed to the next step. If pH is high (above 8), repeat the citric acid solution application and follow with another scrub, rinse, and wet vacuum.

Affix new shoe covers to avoid contaminating the floors. Mop the floor with clean water and a clean mop or clean microfiber mop pad. Use a damp microfiber mop pad as a final cleaning procedure. Thoroughly rinse and agitate the microfiber mop pad in a clean mop bucket frequently every 50 square ft.

Change the water as soon as it becomes cloudy. Use fans to speed the drying process before mixing and applying EPIC High-Peformance Floor Finish.