Home / Procedures / Stone Care
COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing
OVERVIEW
When the crystals in a polished stone surface become dull, the natural stone polish will begin to fade. The crystals in the stone surface reflect light to produce a surface shine. As the crystals wear down from sediment and foot traffic, they need to be re-polished with an SCI POLISHING POWDER. These products will allow the crystals to reflect light evenly for a bright shine.
COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing
Products:
SCI Polishing Powders – Marble, Terrazo, Granite Light, Granite Dark
Natural Hair & White Buffing Pads
Marbalex
Objective: Maintaining the surface shine
Polishing with a Manual 175 RPM Floor Machine:
Dust mop the surface using a clean dust mop.
Remove all topical coatings with STONE STRIPPER. (When Needed)
Wet mop the stone surface using MARBALEX and let it dry.
Spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 16 square foot area.
If etches or surface scratches are more severe, use HONEX to smooth them before polishing. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Honex Powder
Proceed by operating the machine in a SLOW left to right pattern. This will change the powder and water mixture into a loose paste. Stay within a 16 square foot perimeter. Complete 6 to 8 passes ensuring proper
Remove all the residue with the Marbalex solution and let it dry.
Spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 16 square foot area.
Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Marble Polishing Powder (Terrazzo or Granite Powders – depending on floor surface).
For Re-polishing more worn surfaces, use aggressive natural hair (hogs hair) pads.
For maintaining a polish, use clean white pads.
Proceed by operating the machine in a SLOW left to right pattern. This will change the powder and water mixture into a loose paste. Stay within a 16 square foot perimeter.
-For Re-polishing, complete 12 to 14 left to right passes with a hogs hair pad.
-For maintaining a polish, complete 4 to 6 left to right passes with a white pad.
Keep the consistency of the paste wet by spraying water periodically.
After completing the initial passes, apply a fresh and dry white pad on to the machine and buff the paste directly into the surface.
As the haze begins to dry, spray more water to reduce the friction of the machine. Buff until the haze is completely gone.
Rinse with MARBALEX to remove any remaining residue.
Maintain the polish by cleaning with Marbalex.
COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing – con’t
Procedures: Polishing with an Automatic Scrubber:
Dust mop the surface using a clean dust mop.
Fill the auto scrubber with water.
Wet mop the stone surface using a MARBALEX.
Install natural hair or white pads to pad holders.
Generously spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 160 square foot area.
Sprinkle an SCI POWDER on to the wet surface.
(One tablespoon of powder per 16 square feet.)
Proceed forward and backward with the scrubber staying within the perimeter of the wet area.
-For re-polishing more worn surfaces, complete 8 to 10 passes.
-For maintenance, complete 4 to 6 passes.
Use a squeegee to move the loose paste off of the work surface to see if the desired polish has developed. If it has not, push the paste back onto the work area.
Continue the buffing motion until the desired polish appears.
Additional product may be used as necessary.
Extract the paste with the scrubber vacuum.
Mop rinse with MARBALEX to neutralize any residues.
Buff with a clean and soft white polishing pad.
Maintain the polish by cleaning with Marbalex.
*If the floor surface is heavily worn, use HONEX first to smooth out the surface.
**For Polishing Granite Surfaces, Follow the above Procedures Using an SCI Granite Powder with a hogs hair pad.*
Always test on a small area before using.
Natural stone should be protected with STONE SPRAY N SEAL PENETRATING SEALER.
Follow the recommended SCI cleaning procedures for MARBALEX.
If heavy abrasions or scratches are on the surface, use HONEX prior to using the polishing powder.
Cover all surfaces that are not stone.
Always wear protective clothing such as safety goggles, gloves, and footwear.
Recommendations: If the polish does not appear, repeat the above steps again only lightly rinsing the paste at step eleven. Lightly mist the surface after step 12 with some water and buff the remaining compound into the stone surface until desired polish appears.
Move machine slowly and easily.
Maintain the traffic areas where the shine is beginning to dull or wear.
1b. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing – con’t
Always wear safety goggles.
If a film begins to develop on the surface while buffing, replace the old pad with a new pad.
Always rinse with MARBALEX after extracting the powder from the surface
1c. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – General Cleaning
Products:
Marbalex (Cleans all stone floors) or
Stone Quest (Intensive Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner, No-Acid)
Stoneglide Brushes
Overview:
1b. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing
OVERVIEW
When the crystals in a polished stone surface become dull, the natural stone polish will begin to fade. The crystals in the stone surface reflect light to produce a surface shine. As the crystals wear down from sediment and foot traffic, they need to be re-polished with an SCI POLISHING POWDER. These products will allow the crystals to reflect light evenly for a bright shine.
1b. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing – con’t
Products:
SCI Polishing Powders – Marble, Terrazo, Granite Light, Granite Dark
Natural Hair & White Buffing Pads
Marbalex
Objective: Maintaining the surface shine
Polishing with a Manual 175 RPM Floor Machine:
Dust mop the surface using a clean dust mop.
Remove all topical coatings with STONE STRIPPER. (When Needed)
Wet mop the stone surface using MARBALEX and let it dry.
Spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 16 square foot area.
If etches or surface scratches are more severe, use HONEX to smooth them before polishing. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Honex Powder
Proceed by operating the machine in a SLOW left to right pattern. This will change the powder and water mixture into a loose paste. Stay within a 16 square foot perimeter. Complete 6 to 8 passes ensuring proper
Remove all the residue with the Marbalex solution and let it dry.
Spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 16 square foot area.
Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Marble Polishing Powder (Terrazzo or Granite Powders – depending on floor surface).
For Re-polishing more worn surfaces, use aggressive natural hair (hogs hair) pads.
For maintaining a polish, use clean white pads.
Proceed by operating the machine in a SLOW left to right pattern. This will change the powder and water mixture into a loose paste. Stay within a 16 square foot perimeter.
-For Re-polishing, complete 12 to 14 left to right passes with a hogs hair pad.
-For maintaining a polish, complete 4 to 6 left to right passes with a white pad.
Keep the consistency of the paste wet by spraying water periodically.
After completing the initial passes, apply a fresh and dry white pad on to the machine and buff the paste directly into the surface.
As the haze begins to dry, spray more water to reduce the friction of the machine. Buff until the haze is completely gone.
Rinse with MARBALEX to remove any remaining residue.
Maintain the polish by cleaning with Marbalex.
1b. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing – con’t
Procedures: Polishing with an Automatic Scrubber:
Dust mop the surface using a clean dust mop.
Fill the auto scrubber with water.
Wet mop the stone surface using a MARBALEX.
Install natural hair or white pads to pad holders.
Generously spray water to the floor surface not to exceed a 160 square foot area.
Sprinkle an SCI POWDER on to the wet surface.
(One tablespoon of powder per 16 square feet.)
Proceed forward and backward with the scrubber staying within the perimeter of the wet area.
-For re-polishing more worn surfaces, complete 8 to 10 passes.
-For maintenance, complete 4 to 6 passes.
Use a squeegee to move the loose paste off of the work surface to see if the desired polish has developed. If it has not, push the paste back onto the work area.
Continue the buffing motion until the desired polish appears.
Additional product may be used as necessary.
Extract the paste with the scrubber vacuum.
Mop rinse with MARBALEX to neutralize any residues.
Buff with a clean and soft white polishing pad.
Maintain the polish by cleaning with Marbalex.
*If the floor surface is heavily worn, use HONEX first to smooth out the surface.
**For Polishing Granite Surfaces, Follow the above Procedures Using an SCI Granite Powder with a hogs hair pad.*
Always test on a small area before using.
Natural stone should be protected with STONE SPRAY N SEAL PENETRATING SEALER.
Follow the recommended SCI cleaning procedures for MARBALEX.
If heavy abrasions or scratches are on the surface, use HONEX prior to using the polishing powder.
Cover all surfaces that are not stone.
Always wear protective clothing such as safety goggles, gloves, and footwear.
Recommendations: If the polish does not appear, repeat the above steps again only lightly rinsing the paste at step eleven. Lightly mist the surface after step 12 with some water and buff the remaining compound into the stone surface until desired polish appears.
Move machine slowly and easily.
Maintain the traffic areas where the shine is beginning to dull or wear.
1b. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – Powder Polishing – con’t
Always wear safety goggles.
If a film begins to develop on the surface while buffing, replace the old pad with a new pad.
Always rinse with MARBALEX after extracting the powder from the surface
1c. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – General Cleaning
Products:
Marbalex (Cleans all stone floors) or
Stone Quest (Intensive Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner, No-Acid)
Stoneglide Brushes
Overview:
The use of STONEGLIDE Brushes along with an SCI chemical will loosen stubborn debris and soils from the stone’s porous surface for more efficient cleaning.
Objective: Mopping is a very gentle method to clean stone. Mechanical action may be required in grouted areas and uneven surfaces
Procedures: AUTOMATIC SCRUBBING STONE FLOOR SURFACES
Smooth Surfaces: (Marble, Granite, Terra Cotta, Terrazzo, Agglomerates)
Dust/Dry mop area using a STONEGLIDE Dust Mop.
Dilute MARBALEX at two ounces per one gallon of warm water.
Operate the scrubber at a low to medium speed.
Each day, operate the scrubber with a STONEGLIDE Brush?
Twice a week, double-scrubbing must be programmed allowing MARBALEX to activate longer. *Double Scrubbing=(two passes on one path).
Apply the SCI solution to the surface with the scrubber. Do not pick up the solution on the first pass. Return down the same path and pick up the solution on the second pass.
Double scrubbing should be performed daily in the food service areas to emulsify grease soils.
1c. COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE – General Cleaning con’t
Rotate the brushes every other day of useage.
*On ceramic or porcelain surfaces use CERAMICLEAN.
Heavy Soil Buildup:
Mix STONE QUEST at four to six ounces per one gallon of warm water.
Follow the same procedures as above.
Rinse with MARBALEX and begin daily maintenance procedures.
Rough Surfaces: (Flamed Granite, Slate & Concrete)
Follow the above procedures with MARBALEX and increase the dilution ratio by six ounces using a BETA BRUSH.
If this procedure does not perform, apply STONE QUEST mixing it with half hot water.
Let it set for 3 minutes.
Scrub with a BETA BRUSH and remove with wet vac.
Begin daily maintenance procedures.
*If a soil buildup has penetrated inside the stone, use a poultice and follow the recommended procedures on the label.
Recommendations:
Always use hot water to open the pores of the stone for more thorough cleaning.
Clean and rotate brushes every day. (Be sure that the water feed holes are not clogged.)
Use clean pads everyday.
Clean the squeegee off every 3,000 square feet and clean tires after each use. Replace worn squeegees and tires immediately.
Never run the brushes dry.
Check metal parts for rusting and replace immediately.
Clean recovery and solution tanks daily.
Perform a small test patch before proceeding with the entire program
