Vinyl tile floor stripping question

[groucho]

I have this floor in my shop. I bought a machine, and with the "black" pad i cleaned it pretty good a couple years ago and waxed it. It's held up (and cleaned up) pretty good. Now, here's the deal. This winter i'd like to go beyond what i did last time. So, i need to strip the wax, AND then i'd like to "cut" into the vinyl tile slightly to reveal a brand new surface before i wax it this time. Last time i got it clean, but not like to color sand a car's paint before buffing. How do i remove the wax? Then, how do i abrasive cut a tiny amount of that surface? PS-there was no wax when i did it a couple years ago, and the black pad did not have enough roughness to "cut" the vinyl.

 

[Itzkwik]

Not sure you want to "cut into" the tile. I think it would ruin the finish on the tiles. An industrial cleaner/stripper should get it looking close to new again. Then apply a good quality wax in several layers. You might call customer service at Armstrong and ask about grinding the surface of the tile before you start on it.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Don't tease with partial picture of the gasser. Lets see a full on shot.

 

[groucho]

These tiles are thick, tough, and durable. I sanded a small area by hand, and it gives a brand new, fresh surface that looks really good after waxing.

Not sure you want to "cut into" the tile. I think it would ruin the finish on the tiles. An industrial cleaner/stripper should get it looking close to new again. Then apply a good quality wax in several layers. You might call customer service at Armstrong and ask about grinding the surface of the tile before you start on it.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Don't tease with partial picture of the gasser. Lets see a full on shot.

 

[trainer]

After you strip the wax, use a black pad wet and scouring powder like comet or something similar on the tough spots. Rinse with lots of clean water.

Use a couple coats of sealer, then a few top coats of good wax. Your floor will look like new.

 

[groucho]

If you re-read my post i thought i mentioned the "black" pad is NOT aggresive enough, and i'm looking to see what is. Also, this whole thing's pretty new to me, so what's the easiest way to strip?

After you strip the wax, use a black pad wet and scouring powder like comet or something similar on the tough spots. Rinse with lots of clean water.

Use a couple coats of sealer, then a few top coats of good wax. Your floor will look like new.

 

[trainer]

If you re-read my post i thought i mentioned the "black" pad is NOT aggresive enough, and i'm looking to see what is. Also, this whole thing's pretty new to me, so what's the easiest way to strip?

Use a commercial wax stripper. Call your local janitorial supply place and they should be able to recomend a product and the right kind of pad that will do the job for you. Stripping wax is still going to be a lot of work no matter what you use.

It's been a while since I have done this myself, so my memory on the grades of pads isnt the freshest. We have a janitorial service at work who does floors for us now.

 

[groucho]

Originally this was never waxed, but pretty used up. The local Janitor supply place told me the "black" pad was the most aggressive. It cleaned the floor pretty good, but didn't "cut" through to a new surface. Maybe i should just "black" pad my waxed surface until clean and apply fresh wax??? Sounds like my original idea is going to be more work. It is a work space after all. I just thought if it wasn't too much effort i'd go a little further this time than i did last time.

Use a commercial wax stripper. Call your local janitorial supply place and they should be able to recomend a product and the right kind of pad that will do the job for you. Stripping wax is still going to be a lot of work no matter what you use.

It's been a while since I have done this myself, so my memory on the grades of pads isnt the freshest. We have a janitorial service at work who does floors for us now.

 

[kbs2244]

I think you have talked yourself out of doing more than you need to.