Leaving VCT uncoated

[FriendOfYours]

This is a full time auto shop

I just finished the second half of my shop and I'm wondering if I should go through the trouble with sealant and polish

The first 1000sqft has been in use for about 6 months now and looks good when scrubbed, which we do every 3 or so days, but the coating is pretty much gone. To get up the oil and whatnot, the coating just comes up with it.

Will oil/grease/chems affect the tile without coating?

 

[motofool33]

subscribed

 

[landyacht]

I coated mine when I put it down about 8 years ago, and haven't redone it since. It's definitely duller now, but if I spill oil on it, the shine comes right back, so I'd say it's probably held up fine. To be honest, it's a shop, and it's a floor, and it looks good enough that we still get people commenting on it. Really I think beyond aesthetics you'll be fine to just leave it

 

[Notgrownup]

Coat....use a 25% solids wax... It will be easier to keep the tile looking good. I wouldn't seal, just put 2-3 coats of wax. Make sure it's really clean and neutralized and use a wax mop like microfiber or Rayon... NOT cotton.

 

[Garage Flooring]

This is a full time auto shop

I just finished the second half of my shop and I'm wondering if I should go through the trouble with sealant and polish

The first 1000sqft has been in use for about 6 months now and looks good when scrubbed, which we do every 3 or so days, but the coating is pretty much gone. To get up the oil and whatnot, the coating just comes up with it.

Will oil/grease/chems affect the tile without coating?

"To get up the oil and whatnot, the coating just comes up with it."

That is exactly the idea really. An acrylic floor finish or wax provides a sacrificial layer. That layer gets the wear and the stains as opposed to the VCT.

IMHO VCT is a maintenance product. If you don't maintain the product, the product is going to look terrible in very short time.

This can be accomplished via a wax, an acrylic floor finish (such as Hilway Direct Plus) or another product. I've also heard that Pro Guard Coatings has a really neat urethane specifically tested over VCT tile. This urethane, as I understand it is a more permanent solution. I do not sell it and you would need to contact them.

Here is a link to Armstrong's PDF http://www.armstrong.com/pdbupimages/197969.pdf

 

[FriendOfYours]

I'm not extremely worried with what it looks like. I'm more worried about chems attacking the tile, making it soft or crack

 

[Garage Flooring]

What kind of chemicals?

 

[FriendOfYours]

Brake clean, penetrating fluid, brake fluid, carb cleaner etc.

You know, auto shop stuff...

 

[Garage Flooring]

Brake clean, penetrating fluid, brake fluid, carb cleaner etc.

You know, auto shop stuff...

Ok. I would check with Pro Guard and their product

 

[Jsf721]

I am in the janitorial business and yes brake clean and other harsh solvents will degrade the tile. Vct is not the best choice for a working shop because of this. To best protect your floor for the long haul use a semi permanent sealer like a multi clean stainless. This will be more durable that a 25% floor finish mentioned above. You can certainly use a good 25% finish on top of 2 coats of stainless for looks.

I say you would need to scrub when dirty and re apply 1-2 x per year depending on use.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I am in the janitorial business and yes brake clean and other harsh solvents will degrade the tile. Vct is not the best choice for a working shop because of this. To best protect your floor for the long haul use a semi permanent sealer like a multi clean stainless. This will be more durable that a 25% floor finish mentioned above. You can certainly use a good 25% finish on top of 2 coats of stainless for looks.

I say you would need to scrub when dirty and re apply 1-2 x per year depending on use.

This is what you are using?

http://multi-clean.com/products/floor-care/