ACE
Member
I have done a ton of VCT work but have never applied sealer before the finish. Is it really beneficial and why?
Sealer for VCT?
- Thread starter ACE
- Start date
steve frasier
Supportive Member
if you buy a quality wax, it is self sealing
the only reason to use a sealer is if the tile is worn or pitted from a rolling chair or other object
the only reason to use a sealer is if the tile is worn or pitted from a rolling chair or other object
ACE
Member
That's what i understood; sealer was old school and unnecessary. Lately I have had several older customers that totally neglect there VCT then say something like: “The problem is that it was never sealed”
dealtimeman
Everyday is Saturday.
like floorguy said it is necessary but if it is an account you will be maintaining on contract, i would suggest sealing the very first time you strip it. and the first time you strip it strip everything off , if need strip it twice, rinse the hell out of it and throw two coats of sealer before two or three coats of finish and you will see what a good vct job is supposed to look like.
but agian if these are just one time jobs just use a good finish.
sorry picture quality (taken with iphone) but you will get the point.
but agian if these are just one time jobs just use a good finish.
sorry picture quality (taken with iphone) but you will get the point.
Sealer is only of benefit if the tile is in poor condition. Even then I wonder how much benefit... The main problem with sealer is it is a pain in the ass to remove completely. Sealer is a semi-permanant coating that fills in the low spots and allows your finish to spread evenly. Most floor finishes today level well and are self sealing. This makes most VCT sealers more headache than they're worth in most cases.
That said sealer can improve the look of a worn/damaged floor and one cost of sealer could save a few coats of finish if you're trying to build the same level of gloss. Sealer is a semi-permanant coating that fills in the low spots and allows your finish to spread evenly.That said, you still need a minimum of 3 coats of most floor finishs.
Anyway, if you lay your first coat and want the subsequent coats to level better ( a great way to avoid stripping sealer at a later date)... Let it dry completely & BURNISH THE SNOT OUT OF IT. This will give a nice smooth surface for the next coat to level on & builds the shine from the bottom up.
That said sealer can improve the look of a worn/damaged floor and one cost of sealer could save a few coats of finish if you're trying to build the same level of gloss. Sealer is a semi-permanant coating that fills in the low spots and allows your finish to spread evenly.That said, you still need a minimum of 3 coats of most floor finishs.
Anyway, if you lay your first coat and want the subsequent coats to level better ( a great way to avoid stripping sealer at a later date)... Let it dry completely & BURNISH THE SNOT OUT OF IT. This will give a nice smooth surface for the next coat to level on & builds the shine from the bottom up.
ACE
Member
Thanks for the replies. I am starting to pick up more VCT work and some of the customers actually want it done right and are willing to pay. I plan to start using a sealer and the best finish I can find for the accounts I will be maintaining. I still do a lot of VCT sub work that pays around $.20 a square for full strip and refinish. I have no choice but to use the $10.00 a gallon finish for the low bid work. In fact I am going to start hacking out a 15,000 Sq ft job tomorrow.
