Powr-Flite Discusses: Getting Out of a Sticky Situation

Fort Worth, TX, January 25, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Even for the most skilled technician, there can be a variety of variables impacting the success of floor refinishing.

Case in point: A pier in San Francisco harbor was converted into an office building. Recently, the cleaning crew spent several hours stripping and refinishing the building’s hard surface floors. At about 2 a.m., and upon final inspection, the crew was satisfied with their work and went home.

The next morning, the customer called and complained that the floors were “sticky” and wanted the problem corrected as soon as possible. The cleaning crew, uncertain how this could have happened, was also unsure how to correct the problem.

According to Mike Englund, product manager for Powr-Flite, a leading manufacturer of floor care equipment, “Just the fact that the building [is situated] in the water could be a cause. High humidity can extend drying times beyond the normal 20 to 30 minutes it [normally] takes for finish to dry.”

However, Englund also says there can be other reasons for newly refinished floors to be sticky, including:

· Proper rinsing: The floor may not have been properly rinsed after application of finish. Make sure all stripper/chemical residue is removed from the floor before applying finish.
· Finish separation: The finish may have separated; if unused for a prolonged period of time, shake or stir finish before using.
· Thick applications: Apply thin coats of finish.
· Dry, but not hard: Although finish may dry in about 30 minutes, it may take longer for it to thoroughly harden. Especially in humid conditions, add more drying time before reapplying finish.
· If using a restorer/maintainer, make sure it is properly diluted; follow manufacturer’s dilution instructions.

“Many times, buffing or burnishing the floor can remove the stickiness and correct the problem,” adds Englund. “But, if this does not work, the floor may need to be stripped and refinished all over again.”

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