Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: wayne zabel on August 25, 2011, 07:13:56 pm

Title: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 25, 2011, 07:13:56 pm
I did a job today and just had a call from customer saying that a mark has been left on her kitchen worktop.

I used powerburst prespray which I mixed in the sink and as far as I know I never put the sprayer on the worktop surface - I cant be 100% sure on this though.I did put the tub of Powerburst on the top but there was nothing on the bottom of the tub that I knew of.

Would there be anything in a diluted prespray that could cause a mark to appear on a worktop?She says its taken some sheen of the surface.

Does anyone know of a product that would restore this mark or have any ideas of rectifying?

Im not sure what the worktops are made of,I think theyy are just a laminate,definately not a marble type of materail.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Colin Day on August 25, 2011, 07:26:24 pm
If it's a wooden top.... Oh dear...

But if it's a normal work top (Formica or whatever it's called), it might be that the area is stained with tea/grime, and the Powerburst has simply "Cleaned" the area. (This has happened to me when I cleaned an oven once, she was delighted at how clean I got the rest of her work top though :D

May I suggest that you invest in an in-line sprayer, and make batches of 5 litre bottles of pre-spray up at home. I mix 250 grams up per 5 litres of either SPM or Powerburst up and use the in-line sprayer at a ratio of 4-1.... It's "Uncle Ben's" mate.... perfect results, every time  ;D

Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 25, 2011, 07:36:52 pm
Definately not a wood top nor ingrained tea ect as she says the kitchen is relatively new.I never had this before and have always mixed at the sink in the same awy.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Jamie Pearson on August 25, 2011, 07:59:43 pm
Is it a stone or corian top?
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: derek west on August 25, 2011, 08:05:31 pm
she's trying it on wayne, theres nothing in powerburst that could effect any worktop, and if there is then the worktop is not fit for purpose.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 25, 2011, 08:25:13 pm
Is it a stone or corian top?

Ive asked her what the tops are and shes unsure,as i said I dont think yhey are anything out of the ordinary.Ive asked her if the kitchen fitter has an idea what the tops are,so Im awaiting an answer on that.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 25, 2011, 10:40:47 pm
Oh dear oh dear sounds like a new set of kitchen worktops as her fitter will not be able to find a colour match  sleep well ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Jim_77 on August 25, 2011, 10:44:20 pm
Tread carefully, this might be a stitch-up.

If they are the usual melamine-covered chipboard there is absolutely no way your powerburst could have affected it.  Only abrasion will affect that type of surface.

I would even be as confident ass to go back with some powerburst, mix some in some water and spread it on the worktop, then wipe it off.  It'll just clean it!
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: clinton on August 26, 2011, 09:00:37 am
Same as Jim and Derek..I have never heard of this happening wayne in all my years of cleaning.

Sometimes these people pick up on that your a newbie and try it on.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: markpowell on August 26, 2011, 09:08:38 am
Never heard of anything like this before Wayne, go get some pictures.
Do not admit liability.
I would put it in the hands of your insurance and forget about it mate.
Mark
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: PaulKing on August 26, 2011, 09:16:22 am
Tread carefully, this might be a stitch-up.

If they are the usual melamine-covered chipboard there is absolutely no way your powerburst could have affected it.  Only abrasion will affect that type of surface.

I would even be as confident ass to go back with some powerburst, mix some in some water and spread it on the worktop, then wipe it off.  It'll just clean it!

I though the same, maybe you left a clean ring, if not it will prove that it was not power burst that had that did it .
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Adam P on August 26, 2011, 10:26:19 am
powerburst has damaged the hard surface but is fine on the soft carpets?
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Jim_77 on August 26, 2011, 12:30:25 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=26777;type=avatar) . . . . (http://i54.tinypic.com/33ze6qd.jpg)


wonder who worked that out already ;)
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: JandS on August 26, 2011, 12:34:07 pm
Sure there wasn't some grit or even sugar
under the PB tub and as you've dragged it
it's scratched the surface>>

John
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Steve Gunn on August 26, 2011, 03:21:49 pm
Customers try it on all the time,I had one who said her Sky had gone off after cleaning behind her tv, took my box round plugged it in and it worked her box was dead "it was working this morning". So I rang sky to be told she had reported the fault 3 months previously but refused to pay £65 call out.

Don't take it to heart probably nothing to do with p/b or you
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Paul W Jones on August 26, 2011, 03:26:42 pm
Some people will 'notice' things when you've been on a job a lot better than before you arrived.  I used to work in the building industry and whenever you were on a job whatever went wrong in the house was your fault!  I'd just go back, take a look and have a chat with her about it.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 26, 2011, 03:45:40 pm
Just been round to the house today.The worktops are a high gloss laminate,the mark thats there is a dull mark about the size of a palm of a hand and hits you as soon as you walk in the kitchen.They say it wasnt there before.Who knows??I mixed some PB last night and put some on my tops and they were fine,I even put some raw powder on and that was OK but my tops are a matt finish.

It seems to be in the place that I had put the tub of PB whilst I mixed the stuff for the sprayer.It was only on the surface for a couple of minutes.I also had some acidic rinse around - could this be the problem.

They are going to phone the worktop manufacturers help line to see what they suggest,I said i would contact Prochem to see if they think there is any possibility that  this could be the problem.

Dont know how this is going to end up.

Is there a lacquer that can be used to get the shine back??

Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: markpowell on August 26, 2011, 04:00:49 pm
Wayne,
pass it on to your insurers and let them deal with it its not worth the headache mate.
Mark
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Jamie Pearson on August 26, 2011, 04:28:34 pm
Get some Farcela G3 polishing compound and try buff it out.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: benny d on August 26, 2011, 04:51:31 pm
I hate to hear this sort of thing. All I can say is im with you and hope it goes in your favour.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Dave_Lee on August 26, 2011, 04:56:54 pm
These high gloss surfaces in kitchens should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.
I wouldn't mind betting that you may have left a white residue ring off the base of the PB container and she has wrongly cleaned it off with one of those sponges, using the abrasive side. Someone, mentoning no names did the same on one of our high gloss kitchen unit doors, shortly after installation (lesson learnt). This left a small Matt patch.
Dave.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: derek west on August 26, 2011, 05:12:04 pm
wayne it will be the acid, not the powerburst, powerburst has nothing in it that can cause this dullness, people wash up and splash on the surface, they even wash there smalls in the sink sometimes and splash daz, aerial etc... and it still doesn't cause dullness, the only thing that would cause dullness is acid.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 26, 2011, 05:23:33 pm
Get some Farcela G3 polishing compound and try buff it out.

were would i get some of that from?
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: clinton on August 26, 2011, 05:35:51 pm
Wouldnt start buffing it wayne or it might go worse mate.

Id go with the acid rinse too
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Neil Williams on August 26, 2011, 06:01:06 pm
I'm quite sure I've marked a top before but I can't remember when or what solution I was making up at the time.
The customer did point it out to me and set about polishing it out. It must have worked because I heard nothing else about it afterwards.
The lesson I learnt from that is that nothing I carry goes on any shiney, marble, wood or 'posh' work tops. It's bathroom, utility room or put a towel down these days, because as said there are some out there looking at you as the reason for some mad made up insurance claim.
I once had a potential customer call asking all sorts of questions (which is fine) until we got to the point of who are you insured by and for how much. BIG WARNING BELLS started ringing and we didn't take that job on.
 
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: CATMAN on August 26, 2011, 07:27:14 pm
I'd let this lot sort it out

http://www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk/
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 26, 2011, 07:41:47 pm
Wayne,
You've got all sorts of advice on this situation, all of it well intended, but I'd urge you to seek professional help, so contact a work top manufacturer or kitchen supplier and ask their advice. Also, take photos and keep a day log of the situation as it unfolds.

Simon
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Jamie Pearson on August 26, 2011, 08:41:14 pm
Get some Farcela G3 polishing compound and try buff it out.

were would i get some of that from?

Halfords. Get the yellow one.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Adam P on August 26, 2011, 10:10:04 pm
i don't know if this would make it worse but i'd simply go round and test both pb and acid rinse on her surface right next to the mark or if she's got any cut offs for some odd reason or a hidden area. you'll quickly get your answer as to whether it was you or not and problem solved. either insurance claim or not :)
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Colin Day on August 27, 2011, 12:03:53 am
I'd let this lot sort it out

http://www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk/

I have their card in my wallet... They do a brilliant job ;D

Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: garyj on August 27, 2011, 07:29:28 am
Is it just me but every time I see this thread I think its about the whereabouts of the missing Mark D'alcorn.

I imagine him sitting on a worktop somewhere waiting to be collected.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 27, 2011, 08:45:22 am
I can't remember the last time mixed a chemical or filled anything with water in the customers premises. Surely the safest way to mix chemicals and fill things is to do it at your van, or at least on the doorstep where if there's a spillage there's no damage done. This is a sensible a precaution as putting protective pads under the feet of furniture, if you don't do it sooner or later your going get a bleeder, as in the picture, which was taken on a call out to see if we could remove a stain left by the last carpet cleaner.
 :o
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: PaulKing on August 27, 2011, 11:48:53 am
Wayne,
You've got all sorts of advice on this situation, all of it well intended, but I'd urge you to seek professional help, so contact a work top manufacturer or kitchen supplier and ask their advice. Also, take photos and keep a day log of the situation as it unfolds.

Simon


Good post
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wayne zabel on August 27, 2011, 12:56:57 pm
wayne it will be the acid, not the powerburst, powerburst has nothing in it that can cause this dullness, people wash up and splash on the surface, they even wash there smalls in the sink sometimes and splash daz, aerial etc... and it still doesn't cause dullness, the only thing that would cause dullness is acid.

The client has got the number of the helpline of the worktop manufacturer.I will contact them on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: Colin Day on August 27, 2011, 01:02:14 pm
I can't remember the last time mixed a chemical or filled anything with water in the customers premises. Surely the safest way to mix chemicals and fill things is to do it at your van, or at least on the doorstep where if there's a spillage there's no damage done. This is a sensible a precaution as putting protective pads under the feet of furniture, if you don't do it sooner or later your going get a bleeder, as in the picture, which was taken on a call out to see if we could remove a stain left by the last carpet cleaner.
 :o

The only chemical I mess around with at a customers kitchen sink is Hydrogen hydroxide with carpet cleaning...

However, the oven cleaning requires chemicals that can be damaging to some surfaces, but tarpaulin and a bit of common sense keep me out of trouble... most of the time ;D
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: clinton on August 27, 2011, 03:51:08 pm
Wayne there must be some kitchen top workplace shops near you mate n have a word with them to put your mind at rest mate..
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: wynne jones on August 27, 2011, 04:55:07 pm
When people see you doing something like that, some will suddenly notice something that's been there a while unnoticed.  So whilst they are not trying to do you over it's probably not your fault.

'Never put anything of yours on anything of theirs.' Is was I was taught. Keep spotters etc in a small tool box or on a belt. It also stops little Mohamed chugging down your bottle of rust remover. 

No help to your current problem, sorry  :( but may prevent a few costly incidents in the future. 
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: sherco on August 27, 2011, 05:00:00 pm
Try T Cut this could work.
Title: Re: Mark left on worktop????
Post by: davep on August 27, 2011, 10:46:06 pm
Wynne don't touch it. If its a stitch up your digging yourself a hole, and if it's an insurance job they won't pay out if you touched it afterwards.