[wayne zabel]

I have got it in my head that polyprop cant accept a protector - I have it written in my notes from a course I went on.Is this the case?

[markpowell]

its a plastic fibre wayne so its pointless adding a plastic protector.
mark

[wayne zabel]

I thought it was something like that

cheers mate

[brianbarber]

yes, i agree, even though my polyprop carpet at home has scotchguarded printed on the backing......!

[Jim_77]

Polypropylene will not absorb water, therefore will not absorb a water-based protector.

However, the product will still bond to the outside of the fibre, and there are still many microscopic cracks and fissures it will occupy.  It will wear away much much quicker than on wool, but still does offer a level of protection.  Just walking on the carpet and extensive vacuuming will deplete it.  After cleaning it will need re-applying.

So in my opinion it is ethical to sell it in certain cases, as long as the customer knows the situation.

I have several customers I can think of who've had their polyprop carpets protected.  One of them spilled a glass of red wine on it last year, she said it just took about 5 squares of kitchen roll and she couldn't even find the patch to show me!  This was in the foot-trodden patch at the front of the sofa, about 6 months after being protected, so it's still there and doing its job.

Maybe some protectors are better than others in this situation?  Some might bond to polyprop better?  I use a fluorocarbon type.

[Ken Wainwright]

Some polyprop carpets are sucessfully treated in manufacture with protectors. Although the active ingredient is like what we use, eg Scotchgard, the process is different.

The products we use dry and  cure to the air. In manufacturing, they can't have wet carpet unrolled and stored everywhere, so their versions are heat dried and cured. This bonds more successfully to polyprop.

Other synthetic carpet fibres such as nylon, polyester and acrylic have more dye sites than polyprop, so they more readily accept topical on-site applied protectors.

There is talk that some newer types of protectors adhere well with polypropylene, but I've no experience of these products, so can't comment.

Polypropylene is naturally very resistant to water based soils, but has an affinity with oily soils, whether animal, mineral or vegetable.

Safe and happy protecting
The Ken

[Adam Fearnley]

Hi

Is it best to apply a water based protector to a wet or dry carpet, and how long should you leave the protector to fully cure??  Thanks

[markpowell]

Better applied to damp carpet (Low PH), you will use less protector also.
I like to leave 12 hours min, so overnight if poss.
Mark

[Ken Wainwright]

The curing process goes well beyond the drying time. many manufacturers will state 24 hours for a flourocarbon protector to cure, but an industrial chemist I spoke to reckons to double that for full curing.

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[Adam Fearnley]

But after how long would it be safe for the occupants to walk on you think?

[Jim_77]

Safe in what way?  It won't do the carpet or protector any damage to walk on it immediately, just as long as they are careful not to get it dirty or spill anything until the protector cures!

[Ken Wainwright]

I disagree James

The first four hours, or so I'm told, is the most critical. But anytime during the curing process.

Flourocarbon protectors have a curing process not too dissimilar to that of paint. You apply paint, it dries and you can touch it carefully and it feels dry. But if you apply a little pressure you will rub it off.

The advice I give to my customers includes:

Do not walk on carpet for min four hours.

If essential, walk with deliberate, gentle steps with clean synthetic soled shoes/slippers for 24 hours.

No mats, rugs or flat items for 48 hours.

Do not drag any furniture across carpet for 48 hours.

Safe and happy protecting
The Ken