FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions



Product:

DuraVCT:

What is DuraVCT?
  1. DuraVCT is an water-based inorganic micro polymer finish that is capable of protecting most all types of resilient flooring. These include but are not limited to: VCT, Linoleum, LVT, Asbestos, Rubber, Asphalt, and many more. This unique product never requires stripping and will remain viable longer than other finishes. This low cost finish can be installed in placed in service within minutes and will usually lower floor care costs by as much as 50%. Initial application will generally cost about $0.045 per coat and is recommended to have 2 coats.
Why is DuraVCT better than wax?
  1. Wax is very soft and will not retain its appearance for very long. Most was finishes will become dull and dirty almost immediately while DuraVCT is more than twice as hard as an epoxy finish so it is very durable and resistant to scuffs, wear patterns, and scratching.
  2. DuraVCT will not yellow or become grayish looking because its hardness protects against dirt entrapment and its inorganic formulation will not yellow or discolor like wax and acrylic finishes.
  3. DuraVCT never requires stripping! This is an enormous benefit to both floor care owners and building service contractors. With this non strip formula, both benefit from significant reductions in labor cost and disruption to floor use.
  4. DuraVCT stays clean and is easier to maintain.
  5. DuraVCT requires less maintenance and remains glossy over long periods of time. When the finish dulls, simply re-polish using a diamond polishing pad like the 3M ScotchBrite Purple Pad. The micro-scratches will polish and the finish will return to its original appearance. If polishing does not restore the gloss, then a simple recoat is recommended. This is as simple as auto scrub with a blue pad and neutral clean, allow to dry. Mop a single coat of DuraVCT on the surface and burnish with a high speed burnisher and diamond polishing pad.
What is the application process of DuraVCT?
  1. Strip all surfaces and make sure all debris and residue are removed,
  2. Neutral clean the floor after stripping to neutralize all stripper residue
  3. Dust the floor
  4. Apply a first coat using the 3M Easy Shine Applicator System or flat micro fiber mop system. Rate of application should be approximately 3000 sq’/gal. yield will improve with the use of the backpack applicator. DO NOT USE A STRING MOP OR OTHER FINISH MOP.
  5. Burnish the floor with a diamond impregnated polishing pad such as the 3M ScotchBrite Purple pad or similar.
  6. Dust floor to remove all debris
  7. Apply second coat
  8. Burnish thoroughly, same as after the first coat
  9. Dust all surfaces and place floor into service
How is it that DuraVCT does not have to be stripped?
  1. The inorganic finish of DuraVCT is applied using a micro fiber mop system, preferably the 3M Easy Shine Back-Pack Applicator. It is usually required to apply only two (2) coats on the surface. Unlike wax, the DuraVCT is extremely thin and when dry is only about 1/3 of a mil in thickness. Comparatively speaking if one coat of DuraVCT was applied every year for 30 years, it would only account for only 5 mils (.0005 inches).
Do I really need to burnish after each coat?
  1. Yes. Burnishing after each coat application will polish and help cure the surface to allow for the next coat application and immediate service. If you do not burnish after each coat, you will need to wait at least two hours between coats otherwise the previous coat will “awaken” and will destroy the finish.
How often will I need to put a new coat of DuraVCT on the floor?
    1. In most cases the floor will not need any recoats for at least one (1) year. Some examples of real world uses include:
      1. Hospital: over 2 years, no recoats – still looks like the day it was installed. The maintenance includes daily auto scrub and burnish every 3 months.
      2. School: installation was installed during the summer break and will not require stripping the following summer. The cafeteria and some classrooms require a refresh coat while most hallways only required scrub and polish.
      3. Grocery: 35,000 sq’ store installed without any recoats for over 14 months. The maintenance required normal auto scrub and polish with burnisher on interior isles every 2 months and the perimeter isle every 2 weeks.
How does DuraVCT compare to wax?
  1. Wax is soft and allows for dirt and debris to become embedded in the wax surface after limited foot traffic or wheeled traffic. The gloss value of wax is very high >80 when initially installed and reduces every day. Most wax surfaces require multiple strip and recoats per year and multiple deep scrub and top coats per year. Emulsifying products like rejuvenate are used throughout the process to extend the life of the floor appearance until the next deep scrub or strip cycle.
  2. DuraVCT on the other hand installs in 2 coats, can be placed in service immediately. Has an installed gloss value between 65 and 85 depending on the floor and will retain its gloss value. Simple auto scrub with neutral cleaner and burnishing as desired is all that is needed to maintain. Floor finish is extremely hard, over twice as hard as an epoxy finish so it will remain clean, scuff and scratch resistant for an extended period of time. Burnishing will revive the finish by using a diamond polishing pad like the 3M Purple ScotchBrite pad periodically. No stripping or deep scrubbing are required!
How does DuraVCT compare to urethane?
  1. Urethane finishes are much more resilient than wax finishes and will endure much more traffic than wax or acrylic finishes. Unfortunately, urethanes are very difficult to repair, usually requiring the use of sanding screens, and are almost impossible to remove. Cost of application is often over $1.00/ft
  2. DuraVCT has better wear resistance than urethanes, is easy to repair, by simply mopping over areas in need of repair and can be removed using standard butyl based strippers. DuraVCT may be used to apply over urethane as a repair coat and wear surface.
How does DuraVCT compare to epoxy?
  1. Epoxy finishes are ultra durable and resistant to all types of traffic and most chemicals. Epoxy finishes must be prepped very well before application and will delaminate if not properly prepared. Repairs are difficult and almost impossible to make and look seamless. Epoxies are extremely difficult to remove and are considered a permanent coating. Cost of application is often over $3.00/ft
  2. DuraVCT is more than twice (2x) as hard as an epoxy finish so it has better wear characteristics than the epoxy finish. It is not as chemically resistance as an epoxy finish but is suitable for most applications. Take care to avoid using any Butyl based chemicals including but not limited to stripper, floor extenders, baseboard cleaners, degreasers, or other products containing butyl.
What flooring surfaces are okay to apply DuraVCT?
    1. Most all resilient floors can use DuraVCT as a protector and finish. These floors include but are not limited to:
      1. VCT, LVT, Asbestos, Asphalt, Linoleum, Sheet Vinyl
      2. If uncertain, simply apply in a small area, burnish and evaluate.
What is the best way to keep DuraVCT looking good?
    1. Use an auto scrubber with a red pad and slight mixture of neutral clean
    2. Burnish as desired using a propane burnisher, battery powered walk behind or 2500 rpm corded machine.
      1. Because the coating is so hard, it is best to have speed, (propane best and high speed battery powered walk behind), weight and abrasion. This is best accomplished using the diamond pad, and preferred burnisher.
      2. Using corded machines require extra burnishing time, and is often best if additional pressure can be used. Gloss optimized with preferred burnishers.
      3. Do not use slow weighted polishers like those used to polish stone.
    1. Avoid all BUTYL based chemicals
    2. Hand mop with flat micro fiber mop and light mixture of neutral clean
    3. DO NOT USE STRING MOPS
    4. DO NOT USE DEGREASERS, TIDE, OR OTHER CLEANERS BESIDES NEUTRAL CLEAN
DO NOT put on DuraVCT?
    1. Butyl based cleaners
    2. Degreasers
    3. Floor extenders
    4. Baseboard cleaners
    5. Tide
    6. Greenworks products by Clorox
    7. Strong acids
    8. String mops
What are the weaknesses of DuraVCT?
    1. Butyl based chemistries
What materials are required to apply DuraVCT?
    1. Flat micro fiber mop system
      1. Preferred 3M Easy Shine Applicator System (backpack)
    1. Burnisher – over 2000rpm
      1. Preferred Propane or Battery Powered Walk Behind
    1. Diamond polishing pad
      1. Preferred 3M ScotchBrite Purple Diamond Pad
What materials are required to maintain DuraVCT?
    1. Auto Scrubber with red pad
    2. Neutral clean (light mixture)
    3. Burnisher
      1. Preferred Propane or Battery Powered Walk Behind

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DuraXcel

What is DuraXcel?
    1. DuraXcel is a rapid set topical curing agent to provide additional chemical resistance and resistance to voluminous liquids during the first month post application.
When should it be used?
    1. Any location that will be exposed to high volumes of water or other fluids during the first 30 days post application.
How is it applied?
    1. After the last coat of DuraVCT or DuraShine has been applied and burnished (must be burnished prior to use), use a trigger spray bottle and apply a very FINE MIST of DuraXcel over the surface. Immediately use a slightly damp micro fiber flat mop to evenly distribute the DuraXcel mist.
    2. Allow to dry and burnish immediately
    3. Repeat this process two times.

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