If your flooring has seen better days and you want to strip off residue of past sealants and waxes then you have many options available to you. At Fuller Stone Care we want to stress that the best way to avoid damaging the floor, to get the best results, and to prevent injury is to work with a professional stone care company. However, the following tips can help you choose a chemical on your own.
Begin by Considering What You Are Trying to Remove
The first step to choosing the right chemical stripper is to determine what you are removing. Are you getting rid of a sealant or another type of coating? Is it made from acrylic, enamel, or polyurethane? You will want to match the strength of the stripper you choose to the strength of what you are trying to remove.
If you choose a chemical stripper that is not strong enough, it will not get the job done. If you choose a chemical stripper that is too strong, it could damage the flooring beneath. If you are not sure what you are trying to remove or what it is made of, call Fuller Stone Care at 855-205-0972 to get the job done.
Where You Are Doing the Work Makes a Difference
You will also need to consider where you are going to be applying the chemical stripper and whether it is going to have an impact on plants, animals, structures, or people. Yes, you want to get the residue of old products off your flooring but you do not want to damage or hurt anyone in the process.
If you are working somewhere that sparks or open flames will be present then you should never use a solvent-based stripper. They are the most aggressive, are flammable, and have a terrible odor. These should generally also not be used in a public area or anywhere that the fumes would be able to travel through the HVAC system. The fumes can be more dangerous than the actual chemicals themselves.
In the event you are working outside, consider that solvent-based and caustic strippers will kill just about any plant life they come into contact with and will contaminate any water they touch – which could hurt fish and other water beings.
The Specifics of the Wax or Finish Make a Difference
There are specialized products that can be used that require specialized products to remove them. These are generally alcohol-based and aren’t as aggressive as other options. Others are water-based and work specifically to remove the wax or finish without affecting the sealant underneath. You may be able to find a chemical stripper that targets only the specific makeup of whatever was used and leaves the wax or finish intact.
As you can see, there are many factors that affect which products should be used on your flooring. The best option is to contact Fuller Stone Care at 855-205-0972 for a free quote. In our many years of experience, we have learned the best products to use for each specific situation.