HOW TO FINISH (WAX) FLOORS

Purpose
    To provide a protective floor surface which improves the floor's appearance and is easy to maintain.  Note:  The thickness of three coats of finish is less than the thickness of wax paper, therefore the finish must be applied properly to do the job.

Supplies and Equipment
    2 buckets on dolly or cart with casters
    2 wringers (one per bucket)
    Plastic bag liner
    "Floor Hazard" signs
    Rayon wet mop (should be clean and only used for floor finishing)
    Floor finish:
        MARC 42 White Lightning,
        MARC 43 Thermal Lock,
        MARC 237 Impression Vinyl Tile Gym Finish,
        MARC 240 Proton,
        MARC 241 Always (non-buffable),
        MARC 248 High Five High Solids,
        MARC 270 Top Notch,
        MARC 271 Vision 2000 or
        MARC 709 Victory Non-Zinc Floor Finish
    Floor machine (optional)
    Fresh water

Procedure
     1.  Prepare to finish the floor area:
        a.  Follow the Floor Stripping and Sealing procedures given earlier.
        b.  Allow floor to dry.  Pick up any lint or other foreign material.
        c.  Move supplies and equipment into area where floor is being finished.
        d.  Place "Floor Hazard" signs at entrances to area (if they are not already there).
        e.  Fill one bucket ¾ full with water.
         f.  Put plastic bag liner into empty bucket before pouring in the finish, then pour finish into plastic-lined bucket.  The plastic liner keeps the bucket clean and keeps the finish from becoming contaminated with residue that might be in the bucket.

    2.  Dip clean mophead into fresh water and wring out thoroughly.

    3.  Dip damp mophead into the floor finish and wring out so mophead does not drip.

    4.  Starting at the farthest corner from the door, apply a coat of finish on the floor next to the baseboard on each side of the corner.  Apply 6' to 9' at a time.  Turn mophead often and re-dip in finish before mophead becomes dried out and streaks the floor.

    5.  Using a side-to-side figure eight movement, apply the finish to the floor area and overlap the strokes of the mophead.  Avoid splashing.   Apply finish evenly and cover all areas.

    6.  Allow floor to dry 30 to 40 minutes or until floor does not feel tacky to the touch.  If the humidity is high, allow longer drying time.

    7.  If needed, apply more coats of finish as before except stay 6' to 12' away from the baseboards.  This area gets little or no wear since people cannot walk that close to the baseboard.  Multiple coats of finish at the baseboards build up too much.

    8.  Allow second coat to dry completely.

    9.  Buffable finishes:  MARC 42 White Lightning, MARC 43 Thermal Lock, MARC 240 Proton, MARC 248 One Step, MARC 270 Top Notch and MARC 271 Vision 2000.  For highest gloss, do not attempt to buff for at least 24 hours.

        Use the correct buffing pad on the floor machine: MARC 801 "Hawg Hair" Spray Buff, MARC 813 Gloss Boss, MARC 814 High Speed Buff or MARC 821Beige Super Speed.

  10.  Never buff between coats.  Buff only the final coat of floor finish, if desired, after at least 24 hours.

  11.  Remove "Floor Hazard" signs after floor is dry.

 13.  Clean mophead and buckets.

 14.  Store equipment and supplies.

Reminder:  A buffable finish can be applied on top of a non-buffable finish, but a non-buffable finish cannot be applied on top of a buffable finish.

Accomplishment
    By following this floor finishing procedure, the floor's appearance will be clean, attractive and easier to maintain.

·Next Step - Buffing·