[alex hynds]

Advice please guys.
A few weeks ago I attended  the marblelife  natural stone course.  We cracked on advertising and have got several jobs to quote so happy days.  We are also getting quite a lot of karndean enquiries so looking for advice cleaning and polishing etc. 
Do I approach karndean more or less the same way and are the principles the same as stone etc.  Have already read the previous karndean post where people recommended using karndean own products.  We have a standard speed rotary and wet vac etc but which pads etc do we need. 
Thanks Alex

[alex hynds]

Anyone?

[Kev Martin]

Anyone?
[/quot

Alex

There is a slight issue with Karndean in that they recommend  a product called Dr Schultz.   I am told if you use anything else then they void the warranty.  Jamie at CSUK is a specialist with this stuff but that said I have one guy who uses Honing Powder 800 grit on this stuff with a blue pad and says he is getting fantastic results.
Alex if unsure do a test area first

Kevin

[Tony Stewart]

Here goes
Alex
Karndean is just expensive flooring. Most people want a clean up and shine. So if you can use a neutral cleaner with a rotary then rinse with a wet vac. I apply three coats of polish one NS then EW then again NS. You can get away with two obviously but the Karndean is usually put down in more upmarket homes and I like to sell them a better service so that they feel they are getting a better result. You can use polish like Selden or Chemspec Tightshine which dries quickly. Remember that in this weather any polish will take far longer to dry and try not to be too aggressive on the air mover power. You can get an attachment that directs the air on to the floor to help the drying process.
I am not questioning Kev but once you start with the honing powder it means that everything needs masking up because of flying debris, and many homes just want a clean and polish. In addition you are effectively scratching the floor and disrupting the surface of the floor. Putting a load of scratches on it technically will make it attract the dirt quicker as there are more areas to collect the dirt. May be 1200 honing powder would be safer but slower. If you need to strip clean and polish then it's just an extra step.
Jamie is the expert on this and runs a training course on hard floor cleaning via Cleaning Systems UK or via Restormate.
You are the one in front of the customer and sometimes just ask them what they want...............that way you can give them the options.

[alex hynds]

Thanks Kevin and Tony.
Any advice on which pads etc?

[Tony Stewart]

Blue to clean
Black to Strip
White to Buff

[Neil Jones]

Karndean is one of the easiest floors to clean

[Tadgh O Shea]

Karndean is one of the easiest floors to clean

Would agree with you there Neil.

[Tadgh O Shea]

Blue to clean
Black to Strip
White to Buff

Just to share i would hate the thought of anyone using a Black stripping pad on Karndean,

[Kev Martin]

I agree with Tadgh I would not use black either

[alex hynds]

Thanks again guys.
So which pad to strip

[derek west]

red pad for everything,  and a green brush for any grout lines/gaps etc.

[Radek Jablonski]

Tadgh, is your special permanent sealer going to work on this kind of floor?

[Tadgh O Shea]

Tadgh, is your special permanent sealer going to work on this kind of floor?

Hi Radek, yes Nano Powershine is perfect for Karndean or any other type of VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile) or any type of VCT sheet flooring, as once applied you need never have to worry about stripping the floor in the future, i will say that again once applied never have to worry about stripping the floor again. I will also share that there are other similar products available from 3M and Jamie from Cleaning Systems UK also carries them. Tadgh

[gwrightson]

I have cleaned ,removed scratches from amtico. karndean all forms of laminate using honing powders  , followed by applications of nano shine .  never had any problems and customer always happy

This was a pic of a laminate ,and yes I did leave part of the floor as it was getting replaced with matting as was the main walk through in a sports bar.

Geoff

[alex hynds]

Thanks for all the replies everyone

[Jamie Pearson]

What they said......................

I would highlight the black pad point.

Honing powder is good if scratched but take the masking precautions Tony mentions.

If the customer has warranty concerns then Karndean own branded or more professional orientated Dr.Schutz range (who make the Karndean own brand for DIY'ers) are the best options.

If you want to chat feel free to give me a call. I am out Thursday this week but in again Friday and today til 17:30.