| They can take the heat -- and
they're aggressive. Developed to replace
polish
brushes used on low-speed equipment, floor pads give increased
flexibility to a floor maintenance program.
If one pad doesn't produce the
results needed, simply try a different color pad. Light-colored pads are
least aggressive and are usually used for polishing. The most aggressive
pad is black and is used in stripping procedures.
A pad's aggressiveness is related
to the number of resin "rocks" on the pad's surface and the
type of synthetic or natural fiber used in the pad's construction.
Manufacturers dip pads in (or brush pads with) a resin solution to hold
the fibers together. When the resin dries, it leaves small resin
"rocks" on the fibers.
Pig's hair is a natural fiber
used in pad manufacture that is popular with many floor care
professionals. Rubberized pads are also available for high-speed
burnishing.
Three variables affect the way a
buffer performs: downward pad pressure, pad contact area and pad speed.
These variables are best described by heat-generating potential. For
example, propane buffers generally produce the greatest heat at 3,000
rpm, with full pad contact at high pad pressures.
Too Fast and Hot
Altering the aggressiveness of the pad can offset deficiencies in pad
pressure and pad contact area. Overly aggressive pads may produce the
desired heat but may leave circles in the floor finish. Powdering of
floor finish is also a characteristic of using an excessively aggressive
pad.
Many manufacturers design pads
for specific types of equipment, such as propane and battery buffers.
Ask your distributor or manufacturer for a recommendation when
purchasing floor pads, and be sure to tell them what type of buffing
equipment and floor finish your crew uses.
 When
choosing a pad for a cleaning operation such as automatic scrubbing, the
least aggressive floor pad that does a satisfactory job should be used
to help prevent damage to the floor shine. Many cleaning chemicals,
especially non-neutral cleaners, can temporarily soften floor polish.
Pre-burnish pads for use with
propane equipment have become popular where there is light floor
soiling. Using these pads can be more time efficient than automatic
scrubbing, and they can be used in rotation with automatic scrubbing in
some floor maintenance programs.
There are two ways to construct a
floor pad. Some manufacturers use a layered design in which pad fibers
lie roughly parallel to the floor. Pads that have fibers running
vertically can deteriorate 50 percent faster. This is a result of pad
wear on the looped ends of the fibers, eroding the pad structurally.
Shake and Brush to Clean
Polishing pads should be cleaned often to eliminate build-up that can
scratch the floor polish. Clean pads by removing them from the machine
and shaking them in a plastic bag to remove dust and imbedded debris.
Pads can also be brushed with a stiff plastic bristle brush.
Cleaning and stripping pads can
be cleaned by soaking them in a light stripper solution for five
minutes, then brushing them with a stiff brush while rinsing with clear
water. Be sure your crew always wears protective clothing when working
with stripper solution.
Some manufacturers and
distributors provide pad cleaning services which pick up your pads and
return them ready-to-use. They may also clean employee uniforms and
entrance mats.
Even though a used pad can be
cleaned, it doesn't mean that it will always produce the same results as
a new pad. Pads begin to lose their resin rocks as the pad is used. Be
careful to avoid overusing them.
Floor pads do have their
limitations. Uneven floors are best cleaned and stripped with a floor
brush on a low-speed machine or automatic scrubber. Ordinarily, uneven
floors are maintained with a low-speed program, eliminating the need for
high-speed equipment.
Brushes have yet to successfully
bridge the gap to high-speed applications. Although some floor care
equipment manufacturers are beginning to market high-speed brush
machines, most floor care professionals still use pads when using
high-speed equipment.
Have your crew test pads to find
the best one for the floor care procedures they perform.
Finding the best pad for your equipment and floor polish can determine
the success your staff has in maintaining good-looking, clean floors.
Copyright National
Trade Publications, Inc |
