Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Hard Floor Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Les on November 23, 2012, 03:09:19 pm

Title: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on November 23, 2012, 03:09:19 pm
Hi

I cleaned a stone floor a week ago using Prochem Stone Floor Cleaner and followed up using Prochem Stone Seal as the client didn't want a shiny finish .

The client was initially very pleased but emailed the next day to say that she would be happy to pay for me to return as she now wants a silk sheen finish and as a by the way, she has noticed some small darker patches that she hadn't noticed before.

The floor was pretty heavily soiled  so could the marks have been there previously ?
Has anyone had this happen to them if not and what did they do about it ?
Am I going to need to strip the Stone Seal off before applying another product ?

Any advice always welcome

Les
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Kev Martin on November 23, 2012, 07:08:45 pm
Hi

I cleaned a stone floor a week ago using Prochem Stone Floor Cleaner and followed up using Prochem Stone Seal as the client didn't want a shiny finish .

The client was initially very pleased but emailed the next day to say that she would be happy to pay for me to return as she now wants a silk sheen finish and as a by the way, she has noticed some small darker patches that she hadn't noticed before.

The floor was pretty heavily soiled  so could the marks have been there previously ?
Has anyone had this happen to them if not and what did they do about it ?
Am I going to need to strip the Stone Seal off before applying another product ?

Any advice always welcome

Les

Les

Firstly I know nothing about Prochem products so I am not sure if I am the best guy to answer this post there maybe someone on here with loads of knowledge about their products.  That said! I can't find the cleaner you mentioned but I did find the sealer. If the MSDS sheet is accurate then it is unlikely the sealer caused the problem.  What you don't mention is what the floor is made of!  I would like to know that before I give you my best guestimate.  Any chance of some Pics??? Finally have you talked to Prochem Technical Department???  Because that is always a good first port of call.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Jamie Pearson on November 23, 2012, 09:59:25 pm
You won't need to strip out the Stone Seal.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on November 23, 2012, 11:37:23 pm
Hi
Here are photos taken by the customer. Hope you can see the marks ok.

Les
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Rob Hall on November 24, 2012, 08:38:47 am
Looks like a Hot Oil stain to me, is it in a kitchen? There is no seal in the world that would protect against Hot Oil being spilled. Tile replacement is the way forward, or maybe try a Poultice??
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Kev Martin on November 24, 2012, 08:51:22 am
Hi
Here are photos taken by the customer. Hope you can see the marks ok.

Les

Les

I can see the marks!  This situation makes me lose it a bit with customers because they go out and buy a dull old uncalibrated slate then expect it to stay clean with a crap surface and now they want a shine on it.

Rant Over!!!

I would deep clean it using Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner combined with a 320 grit honing powder then allow the floor to thoroughly dry. You may need to use a little Aqua Mix Sealing & Coating Remover for the worst areas.
This is where we differ that is me and your customer  because then I would apply Aqua Mix Enrich N Seal which is an enhancing sealer which will darken the tiles and the grout and leave them with a wet look.
However, if they want a sheen use one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140558354585&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140889901737&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

If they then want a high shine use one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140877555865&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140510138605&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Hope this helps

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: sherco on November 24, 2012, 09:11:19 am
If your using Ironwax Gloss finish sealer do one coat in one direction let it dry as per spec then another coat in the opposite direction. This does look good on slate. Great advice once again Kev.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on November 24, 2012, 09:32:51 am
Hi,

I am grateful for your advice, I'm always open to suggestions.

The lady seems okay about it, it's more that I hate anyone not being totally satisfied.

It's good to get confirmation of your own thoughts on what might have caused the problem from others in the trade.

I think I may just have been a victim of my own good cleaning because she was amazed at how much soiling came off which might have been hiding the stains.

I really wanted to confirm that it wasn't something I'd done. But if it had been I thought there would've been more of a reaction across the whole floor.

Of course Sod's law applies and it had to be a job I did more as a favour miles away and on the day I went my passenger side quarter window literally explodes only a mile from home causing me a major headache.

She was extremely pleased with carpets and a rug that I also did and she also saw a floor of the same type that I did for her son without incident so she knows I'm not a cowboy.....

Yeeehaaaa !!
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: sherco on November 24, 2012, 10:00:10 am
Here is one i cleaned and sealed with LTP ironwax.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Rob Hall on November 24, 2012, 07:51:18 pm
Here is one i cleaned and sealed with LTP ironwax.
I have just had a look at your website...
Can I ask where you got the white circular round thing that your machine sits in to avoid splashing everything....damn good idea!!
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: sherco on November 24, 2012, 08:10:38 pm
I made it myself..Stops any splashing from machine. Got plastic from local DIY shop.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Rob Hall on November 24, 2012, 08:28:12 pm
I made it myself..Stops any splashing from machine. Got plastic from local DIY shop.
So it was a flat strip that you made round?
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: sherco on November 24, 2012, 08:31:49 pm
Thats it..and used a hot glue gun to stick it together.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on December 13, 2012, 01:58:13 pm
Have been back to the customer and applied water based Polyurethane called Seal Aua (not to be confused with Aquseal )  A new product to the market designed for this type of flooring amongst others.

The customer was extremely pleased.

All's well that ends well.  :)
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Kev Martin on December 13, 2012, 03:17:38 pm
Les

Great News!!!  Always good to hear a problem has been solved with any product.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on December 18, 2012, 06:37:35 am
Many thanks for the advice given......

Sometimes it's a case of you knowing that what you are thinking is right and you know that you haven't done anything wrong....but nice to have it confirmed by other professionals who understand where you're coming from.

 ;)

Next important question from me will be under Contract Cleaning.....get rid of one headache and another turns up  :P
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: B Bailey on January 17, 2013, 03:07:12 pm
Hi, if I'm looking at the right patches, it could some residue from your cleaning solutions still in the stone, or the stone is not completely dry.
But after reading the other posts it seems all is well.
Title: Re: Small dark patches in stone floor post cleaning
Post by: Les on January 17, 2013, 03:29:37 pm
Yes thanks,

Everyone was happy when I left and I was able to add the knowledge I gained to the 'Experience Gained' section of my brain ready for use in the future.  :)