[matt jones]

I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on protectors as i have not used any yet. I have a few questions about them?

Q1What do you charge for this service?
Q2What is the best way to go about applying them?
Q3What is the safest protector to use?
Q4If a carpet/piece of upholstery has had a protector applied to it by someone does it make it harder to clean?

I would greatly appreciate it if someone can answer my questions
thanks
matt

[Kev Loomes]

Hi Matt

1. Approx half the price of cleaning
2. Get a good quality pump up sprayer, you need 2 (one for solvent the other for water based) i.e. http://www.cleansmartsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Carpet_&_Upholstery_cleaning_sprayers.html Dont know if these are the cheapest or not, best do a search. Or go for an electric one.
3. Just buy a good one! Go for Teflon, Promite, Prochem etc etc.
4. No! not much difference IMO

Have you been taught or researched the subject? Dont forget to not think of any protector as a 'fabric protector' and a 'carpet protector' otherwise you'll come unstuck. Think of them as a 'solvent protector' and a 'water protector'. This is an important point to remember as there times when you can only apply one of them dependent on what you are protecting - this goes for both fabrics and fibres!

Hope this helps 
 

[spickandspan]

Also let me know if you find one that works?

[LTT Leathercare]

With leather protectors it certainly makes a leather much easier to clean the next time.  They are also easy to test to make sure they are working which means you can test the different makes to see which one is best.

Regards
Judy

[matt jones]

Hi, thanks for your responses.
Kev, i have been on prochems training courses but dont rem being taught much about protectors?there is small bits of info in the training manuals i recieved but nothing great. I understand you can get solvent and water based protectors but what do you apply to what is it solvant protector to dry clean only stuff?
Thanks again for your help guys and girls
matt

[Kev Loomes]

Hi Matt

Essentialy without going into more detail, its probably just wise to remember what you cant use them on - then you cant go wrong!

Water based:
Shouldnt be used on: Polyprop, nylon carpets etc, silk, viscose fabrics etc (it can be used on polyprops etc, its just that its not as good as solvent).

Solvent based
Shouldnt be used on: Faux suede's etc, bitumen backed, secondary backed (basically anyting with a glue/latex involved.

I've probably missed a few exceptions which someone else will probably point out, but there's bound to be loads of info on the internet if you put a search in google etc. Hope this helps.

[matt jones]

cheers kev much appreciated 

[Liahona]

Kev, why wouldnt you use a water based protectant on nylon. Almost all or at least a huge percentage of carpets in America are nylon and are protected with a water based protector. I am not sure on this but arent 5th generation carpets protected at source with a water base chemical....... Also, why would you want to protect a poly carpet anyway? In its nature it cant be stained very well anyway. Best, Dave.

[Kev Loomes]

Dave

As far as I am aware a solvent protector will adhere better to a nylon than a water - due to its chemical make up (synthetic to synthetic) and therefore more effective. Although I have to agree, who would really want a nylon carpet protected anway! but...you'll be surprised who wants a carpet protected regardless of its composition!

The only reason I can think of why the yanks only apply water protector is that they are more concerned (aware) with any potential problem with solvent protectors (look at Scotchgard when it was withdrawn a few years ago), that they just make do with water based? Or is it because its cheaper ...hhmm.

I havent heard of 5th generation being protected at source (apart fron acid dye blockers being introduced - not a protector I know). Correct me if I'm wrong though, but doesnt 5th generation suffer from acute yellowiness caused by high alkali's? I suppose it makes sense therefore to protect it with at least something?? Thats my excuse anyway!

Lastly, the only other reason I can think of for treating a nylon is that if you imagine a synthetic fibre getting 'cut' by normal use i.e. tiny fragments on soles of shoes etc, then dirt will infiltrate these cuts and look dirty. Even though they are easier to clean, by applying a protector (say after cleaning) to fill these gaps (albeit temporarily) makes it stay cleaner for longer in between cleans?

Thats my theory anyway! mind you I have had a few bevvies tonight already, so forgive me if Im talking complete twaddle!

[Liahona]

Maybe I mislead and if so sorry. I wasnt suggesting that nylon shouldnt be protected as if it shouldnt I would have been out of business as I mostly protect. Anyway my comment was as to why would you protect a poly carpet as it is inheritantly mostly stain proof. Best, Dave.

[John Kelly]

Scotchguard wasn't withdrawn because of solvents it was because the constituents of it did not break down in the environment.

[conallon]

Hi Matt
            whats more important is - if you can remove stains from the carpet or upholstery you have applied it to !!!!!!!!!!!

remember when selling -  some stains can NOT be removed

best Conrad

[craigp]

i have to say i agree with you there Dave, i've often thought that poly does not need protecting as it is inert, waterproof.

like putting a water proof coating on somthing thats water proof, lol.

that said some one wants pay me put it on fine by me