Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Park Cleaning Services on October 31, 2005, 10:18:17 am
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hi, just started a new office cleaning contract, main office floor is laminate flooring and it is covered in black marks from shoes etc.
have tried to mop it off, no success, tried a good prespay solution, Hard Surface cleaner and still no success,
Any one got any ideas as to how to remove these marks as my custy wants rid and i am drawing a blank.
Cheers peeps.
ian
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Try G101. i use it on car interiors where they have left black marks from shoes .
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hi there,
black marks,scuff marks on laminate floors will usually just rub off, sometimes even with a finger. if they are not moving at all, is there a possibility that they have been sealed in at all??
regards
martin
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have tried rubbing them but to no avail. not too sure if they have been sealed in, however floor is very water repellent.
If this is the case will i have to strip and reseal it?
Thanks Ian
Also what is G101 and who makes it as i have never heard of it before...Cheers
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not sure who makes it but this is where i get it from http://www.autosmart.co.uk/
im sure you can get it cheeper else where but never looked but its great for grease oil brake dust ink so it says on the bottle
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Ian
Have you tried a green scourer ;) just be careful not to scratch the floor, even though laminate is quite tough it will scratch.
Chris
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Parquet / Laminate Cleaner from Solutions is excellent for removing stubborn marks plus it does not leave a greasy residue like some laminate cleaners
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If you find a product that works let me know got a similar problem in my kitchen.
Tried Amonia last night. After trying every other product I can get my hands on.
Looks like I am going to have to take it up.
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Hi Guys,
I would try a range a solvents as the black marks are unlikely to be of one origin.
Acetone might work .
Cheers,
Doug
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Would acetone or solvents not damage the lacquear??
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Hi Steve,
As with all use of solvents it is best to use sparingly on a cloth thus minimising any degradation.
However I would expect laminates to be a mixture of UF and MF resins which are both cured and therefore chemically resistant.
In practice it is always best to proceed with caution and common sense , but when removing plastics and rubbers it is necessary to use either mechanical abrasion or chemical dissolving/softening.
Cheers
Doug
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I'll go and give it a go on some laminate I have in the garage never thought of using acetone cheers Doug
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WD40 will work if used with caution.
Paul
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Laminate floor makes a perfect base to lay carpet on. :D
Covers black marks a treat. ;D 8)
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Paul,
WD 40 is a mixture of various solvents so stands a good chance of getting rid of a range of marks.
Cheers
Doug
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hi, guys
thanks for all the input, am going there again this evening armed with wd40 and a scourer, keep your fingers crossed for me, will post results on my return.
Kind regards.......Ian
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solution no 2,cleans very well with green pad on floor polisher,works for me
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wd 40 will proberly leave the surface slippery, accetone will damage the flooring try methylated spirits, or prochem solvent
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I agre about acetone, Having previously spent time as an optical technican you soon learn to wach the stuff as it will strip the laquer on spectacle frames and disolve silicone and acetate nose pads. ;)
Paul
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send me your address i will send a sample of G101
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Hi Guys
All this is about the right solvent for the right marks.
As I have previously mentioned laminate will primarily be melamine formaldehyde MF , which is used because of it chemical resistance and relatively good water ersistance.
It is a thermosetting resin which in simple terms means it chemically reacts during curing(cross links) which is where its resistance is coming from.
There is no laquer , which would typically be polyurethane .
I agree that WD 40 would make the floor slippery if not washed off , it is afterall a lubricant.
Acetone should be relatively safe on this type of substrate although white spirit is always worth a try.
As with all solvents if they are goilng to work , they will quickly and there is no need to slop lots on.
I would use a microsplitter or detergent stripper first which will probably remove a lot of the marks and then spot with solvent.
Hope this is reasonably clear
Cheers
Doug
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Just to clarify, I have same problem on a vinyl floor.
Tried Solvents and Soulution and Alltec Ranges, plus various other cleaners.
Have not tried WD40.
However I a becoming more certain that I need to take it up as it could be coming from beneth.
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Ian,
Are they black marks or yellowy brown.
With vinyl floors the marks are often caused by plasticiser migration and cannot be removed.
PVC is also open to degradation particularly caused by heat.
Also be careful using solvents on vinyl as you may soften if over done,.
Cheers
Doug
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The first thing that needs to be established is to find out if the floor had any existing layers of polish on it. As its an office floor you can presume it has, I think it unlikely that it would be left bare with no protection. If the marks aren't shifting easily it does sound like they may have another layer of polish ( or layers) on top, in which case the only thing to do is strip right back and reapply 2 or 3 coats. Be careful using a green scourer, when the floor dries you might end up with unsightly scratches all over the floor.
As has been pointed out, these marks usually come up with a damp cloth or rub off using your finger, again I think there is polish on top. It does sound like a strip off and re-polish job, it will bring the floor back to as new and as you've only just taken on the contract they'll think your fantastic and you'll be able to properly and easily maintain it over the next 6-12 months when it will need doing again.
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hi guys,
quick update for you!
i have been back and tried several of your suggestions, the only one that worked was using a green scourer and gently rubbing marks away. has to wet scourer though, as without water it started to scratch flooring.
floor has come up a treat!
Thanks once again for all your suggestions.
Kind Regards....Ian
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Doug,
They are like colorwash Black Cloudy looking effect.
To be honest Ive given up on them The only way forward is to take stuff up and buy a load of tiles providing all is OK underneath no damp and we have not sprung a leak.