Mop-On Floor Finish General Procedures

A good finish is very important to provide a good appearance and protection for the floor. A standard rule of thumb is to apply 3-5 coats of finish in regularly used areas, and only 1 coat near the wall and in low-traffic areas like closets. In mopping on a finish, use only a new mop or one used for applying floor finish only. The following procedures are general procedures for mopping on floor finish. For this reason no names of finishes are provided, as they would differ depending on the kind of flooring being finished.

Directions:

  1. Pick finish as recommended and put into clean mop bucket.
  2. Apply finish evenly over floor surface with a figure “8” or “S” stroke, working backward to avoid stepping in the finish. Work in 10’ X 10” areas, making sure each section is completely covered before moving to the next section.
  3. If the first coat is applied in a north-south direction, apply the next coat in east-west strokes.
  4. Allow proper amount of dry time between coats. The label of the finish will tell what this timing is. Keep in mind temperatures in the room and on the floor can affect this timing.

Warning: Always test material for colorfastness, follow label directions, and never mix product unless specified in the label directions. Each situation reacts differently and results may vary.

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