Vct flooring tiles

I will be cleaning vct tiles in kitchen of an apartment. It is a light color and there there are some dark scrape marks from chairs. What is the best way to clean and type of cleaner? Then some type of protectent. 175 with white or other color of pads?

I usually use t & g cleaning solution like viper venom ( don't use acid based solutions because you'll be paying for new appliances if they're stainless steel ).
If it's a small area, I would just wand it, no need to risk hauling big 175 all the way there or accidentally bumping it to appliances or cabinets.
Now regarding protectant or seals, I don't know, I'm interested to know what some of you have used, I've seen some really shiny VCT in commercial offices, I also wonder how to apply that stuff so that they won't come out streaky.

The proper way to deal with VCT, is usually strip off all the old wax with stripper. It can take a couple/few applications, and scrubbing with 175 with black pad to remove all of it depending on how much wax is on it, and then once you have it stripped down you apply several coats of new wax to the desired shine.

To give you an idea, Here's a nasty Apt. kitchen I did a while back.

I also did a little repair at this one, replaced a couple broken/duct taped tiles.

Nice work Dave. One of these days I'm going to do a vct strip just for the fun of it

looks great.  Whats the name of the VCT(lol) stripper and Flooring wax you use.

The stripper I use I just get from the local Janitorial supply place.

The finish/wax the last couple jobs I've bought some stuff from Lowe's. I'll look at it and post a pic of if as soon as I do.

Davey Cracker wrote:The stripper I use I just get from the local Janitorial supply place.

The finish/wax the last couple jobs I've bought some stuff from Lowe's.  I'll look at it and post a pic of if as soon as I do.

You can get strippers at your janitorial supply house? All I can get are mops and illegals. Bring lots of dollar bills.

I think we may be talking about different types of strippers.

brianbenaiah wrote:looks great.  Whats the name of the stripper and wax you use.

Crud I better change my wording so my better half dont see this

Every time I look back over that floor its a amazing how nice it turned out, big difference a good cleaning made.
Whats a good price per square foot the one I'm doing is old style apartment kitchen and dinning are probably 15'x15. How much time to clean an area from start to finish.

I just realized something here....is that VCT layered over another?

More importantly, is that layer beneath it of 70's vintage.....they were asbestos based in the adhesive.  It sure looks like the right pattern to be.

This is old farmhouse country and it was common practice to seal the old asbestos tile beneath another layer rather than pay someone to mitigate it.

My house was one of those, it took me 3 days to tent it off and mitigate....good thing I had the equipment and haz-mat experience or it would have cost a fortune.

http://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Floor_Tile_ID.php

Worth reading if you are going to deal with flooring....be safe.

Thanks mil, I remember those old tiles when I was young. It cost a lot of money to remove asbestos.

I don't know and don't care much.............it's a once in a couple year deal, really......first time in 25 years actually.

BTW, VCT isn't necessarily old, I finished this new install awhile back..

Davey Cracker wrote:I don't know and don't care much.............it's a once in a couple year deal, really......first time in 25 years actually.

It only takes once to be affected.

The risk is actually pretty low as long as you avoid power tools. What gets most people in trouble is trying to remove the remaining adhesive with a sander after the tile was scraped off. Nothing like asbestos dust kicked into your face to make a short life even shorter.

I made a full dvd about stripping and waxing that I used to sell before youtube got popular. If you want a copy let me know I'd send it to you for the cost of mailing it, about $5

Ken Raddon wrote:I made a full dvd about stripping and waxing that I used to sell before youtube got popular.  If you want a copy let me know I'd send it to you for the cost of mailing it, about $5

Thanks Ken.

milspec6 wrote:

Davey Cracker wrote:I don't know and don't care much.............it's a once in a couple year deal, really......first time in 25 years actually.

It only takes once to be affected.

The risk is actually pretty low as long as you avoid power tools.  What gets most people in trouble is trying to remove the remaining adhesive with a sander after the tile was scraped off.  Nothing like asbestos dust kicked into your face to make a short life even shorter.

Oh yea I know better than to create and stir up dust.

These tiles were glued down with what looked like carpet padding glue, you know the stuff that never fully cures and stays tacky...........typical homeowner job.  So it was easy to remove the stuff.

It's that old linoleum underneath I wouldn't mess with.

I knew that you were aware of it, just wanted to put it out there for those shadow people that read the board, but never participate.

Oh, and you guys are welcome.

Ken Raddon wrote:I made a full dvd about stripping and waxing that I used to sell before youtube got popular.  If you want a copy let me know I'd send it to you for the cost of mailing it, about $5

Can you upload it to youtube Ken?

Hii,
we read your problem after that i have a soln for you to clean the tiles use Vinegar

If soap scum or water spots have dulled the ceramic tiles around your sink or bath, bring back the brightness by scrubbing them with 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia, and 1/4 cup borax mixed in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) warm water. Rinse well with cool water and let air-dry.
Happy ! To ! Help ! You

Nope, not old, but that tile showing beneath the broken panel was definitely circa late 60's to mid-70's.

VCT is actually making a strong comeback in this area. I just saw a barber shop and dental office both installing new VCT flooring.

Maybe I should expand a little and consider doing these jobs? I never enjoyed them in the past due to the time that it takes, but if charged accordingly, I could get to liking them.

The best cleaner for Vct flooring tiles is Neutral Floor Cleaner.This floor cleaner have a pH of about 7, while other purpose cleaner and floor cleaners may have a pH of 10, 11, or higher, which makes the product much more alkaline.This greater alkalinity can strip away the finish on VCT flooring, which makes it dull and unattractive.
To remove the stains in the tile can be addressed by the type of floor equipment you are using to clean the floor.But rotary-type system can work well at removing surface-level marks and stains as well. But, if the stains are more deeply embedded in the ground of the floor or the pores of the tile, a more effective option would be to use a cylindrical brush system as it can dig deep into grout and pores, literally pulling soils out of the floor for more effective and fast removal.

Just really depends on if you're looking to do a maint cleaning, or a full restoration, stripping and refinishing I guess.

But yea, old thread from the dead.