New doesn’t mean ready!
Many people assume that once a new VCT floor is installed, it’s ready to receive floor finish. Surprisingly, that’s not the case.
New VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile) leaves the factory with a protective coating designed to prevent scuffing and damage during shipping, handling, and installation. While that coating serves an important purpose, it must be removed before any commercial floor finish is applied.
Skipping this step—or performing it improperly—can affect both the appearance and long-term performance of the finished floor.
Why VCT’s factory coating must be removed.
The factory-applied coating acts as a temporary protective layer. However, commercial floor finish is designed to bond directly to properly prepared VCT—not to the temporary coating.
Consequently, professionals first remove the factory coating through a controlled stripping process before applying any finish.
Only after the floor has been properly cleaned and rinsed is it ready for the first coat.
Proper preparation makes the difference.
At Sparkle Surface Care, preparation extends beyond simply stripping the floor.
After mechanically scrubbing away the factory coating with professional equipment and the appropriate stripping solution, we thoroughly steam rinse the entire floor using our truck-mounted extraction system.
Delivering large volumes of nearly 212°F water at up to 1,500 PSI, the system flushes away stripping residue before immediately recovering it into our waste tank.
As a result, the floor is exceptionally clean before the first coat of finish is ever applied.
Why thorough rinsing matters.
Any residue left behind can interfere with how the finish bonds to the floor.
Although many floor care companies recover the stripping solution with a wet vacuum or portable extractor, our truck-mounted steam rinsing process removes residue more thoroughly while leaving the surface clean and ready for finishing.
That extra step helps create a cleaner foundation for professional floor finish and contributes to a more uniform appearance.
New doesn’t mean ready!
Many people assume that once a new VCT floor is installed, it’s ready to receive floor finish. Surprisingly, that’s not the case.
New VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile) leaves the factory with a protective coating designed to prevent scuffing and damage during shipping, handling, and installation. While that coating serves an important purpose, it must be removed before any commercial floor finish is applied.
Skipping this step—or performing it improperly—can affect both the appearance and long-term performance of the finished floor.
Why VCT’s factory coating must be removed.
The factory-applied coating acts as a temporary protective layer. However, commercial floor finish is designed to bond directly to properly prepared VCT—not to the temporary coating.
Consequently, professionals first remove the factory coating through a controlled stripping process before applying any finish.
Only after the floor has been properly cleaned and rinsed is it ready for the first coat.
Proper preparation makes the difference.
At Sparkle Surface Care, preparation extends beyond simply stripping the floor.
After mechanically scrubbing away the factory coating with professional equipment and the appropriate stripping solution, we thoroughly steam rinse the entire floor using our truck-mounted extraction system.
Delivering large volumes of nearly 212°F water at up to 1,500 PSI, the system flushes away stripping residue before immediately recovering it into our waste tank.
As a result, the floor is exceptionally clean before the first coat of finish is ever applied.
Why thorough rinsing matters.
Any residue left behind can interfere with how the finish bonds to the floor.
Although many floor care companies recover the stripping solution with a wet vacuum or portable extractor, our truck-mounted steam rinsing process removes residue more thoroughly while leaving the surface clean and ready for finishing.
That extra step helps create a cleaner foundation for professional floor finish and contributes to a more uniform appearance.
The final step.
Once preparation is complete, multiple coats of commercial floor finish are applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Because every coat is placed over a properly prepared surface, the finished floor develops excellent gloss, a consistent appearance, and a durable protective layer designed to withstand the demands of commercial environments.
Wendy’s commercial floor care tip.
Don’t judge a VCT refinishing project by the shine alone. The beauty of the finished floor begins with the preparation underneath. Proper stripping, thorough rinsing, and experienced application create the foundation for a floor that’s designed to perform—not just look good on day one.
Planning a commercial flooring project?
Whether you’re installing new VCT, restoring an existing floor, or maintaining a commercial facility, Sparkle Surface Care combines experienced technicians, responsive scheduling, and advanced truck-mounted steam rinsing technology to deliver results that go beyond traditional floor care methods.
From prompt on-site evaluations—often the very same day—to professional execution, we help contractors, property managers, and business owners keep their projects moving while protecting their flooring investment.
Experience matters. Process matters. Performance follows.
Discover how our experience, process and advanced steam rinsing technology will help your commercial floors perform their best!
Ready to get more from your commercial floors? Call us at 609.953.0472 or CONTACT US ONLINE.