Care and Maintenance of Durabak™ Surfaces
2. Alternate Methods of Cleaning
4. Repairing or Overcoating Durabak™
1. GENERAL DIRECTIONS
Once Durabak™ coatings have fully cured, they are very easy to maintain. Because Durabak™ cures to an impermeable membrane, all dirt sits on the surface.
CAUTION! If dirt sets in on Durabak™ surface while it is soft and before it is cured, it could become permanently inbedded.
- Use any general floor cleaner, from a neutral household cleaner to a degreaser.
- IMPORTANT! For best results, use a stiff bristled deck brush to agitate cleaner on the surface. [A cotton mop is not recommended since pieces of mop may get caught on high profile of Durabak™ surface.] A synthetic fiber material mop may be used if a deck brush is unavailable.
- Rinse surface thoroughly to remove all residue.
- Remove all water with a sponge mop, a 24 oz. mop or water vacuum.
2. ALTERNATE METHODS OF CLEANING
For larger areas, where the above method is not time efficient, there are alternatives available to expedite cleaning.
Pressure Washer
A wide-angle water pressure spray of 600-700 PSI can clean Durabak™ without
damage to the surface.
Rotary Machine
A rotary 14" waxing-type machine with a (thickline) blue pad can be used.
Rinse-Free Detergent
If a rinse-free detergent is used, the dirty water pickup can be done with a water vacuum.
Automatic Scrubbers
Durabak™ surfaces can also be cleaned with automatic scrubbers. These are
machines which, in one pass, put down the washing solution, scrub the floor with a(blue) pad, and vacuum up the dirty water. The pad pressure used in the scrubber(using a blue pad) need only be sufficient for the pad to make light contact with the floor. Heavy scrubbing over time will negatively affect the Durabak™ surface.
3. SPECIFIC CLEANING ISSUES
Grease Spillage
To clean a Durabak™ surface of a greasy or slippery solution, it is necessary to
use a slightly more aggressive detergent, containing a degreaser, available from
chemical suppliers.
Removal of Sticky Substances
For removal of gum or other sticky substances from a Durabak™ surface, use a
pressure washer. A wide-angle water-pressure spay of 600 to 700 PSI, at an angle
of 35-40 degrees, should enable the removal of gum pieces within 10 to 15 seconds without damage to the Durabak™ coating.
Removal of Organic Stains
Organic stains, such as leaves, can be removed using a quatinary or a slightly acidic cleaner with a neutral pH. Leave on for five or 10 minutes. Rinse off according to manufacturer's recommendations. This will only work if the stain has occured after Durabak™ has fully cured.
Chlorine
If left on the Durabak™ surface, concentrated chlorine will discolor Durabak™.
Immediately rinse off the concentrated chlorine with water.
4. REPAIRING & OVERCOATING Durabak™
Durabak™ or Durabak 18™ can easily be repaired or over-coated (once cured), as it bonds to itself.
- Cut out all damaged Durabak™ to eliminate uneven edges.
- Clean dirt from area to be repaired and rough up surrounding Durabak™ with 60-grit sand paper.
- Clean area with Xylene (Fluidar, Aromatic 100 will also work).
- On exposed surfaces to which Durabak™ does not bond easily, a primer may be needed.
- Brush, roll, or spray fresh Durabak™ onto cleaned areas, as per application instructions.