Davestone and other floor refinishers

[tileguy_n_ky]

I have been doing a little more cleaning of tile and stone in small commercial areas and larger residential areas. I have twice "rehoned" small areas of honed tile. I have been using a basic scrubber with different pads and honing powders. I know what I have been doing has is not the proper way, but with a lot more work than needed it has been successful. Both times the homeowners were so glad I was able to make their floors look like new. With this new line of work starting to get a little bit busier, I would like to look into a floor scrubber with the ability to add the weights to the machine. Using duct tape to hold weights onto a machine does not look very professional and I am scared of when the weights come loose, the damage they will do.
I am looking for recommendations on brand of machines, size and accesories that I should be looking at that will make things easier. This is the product that I am looking at right now, Hawk Floor Care (http://www.cleaningstuff.net/cleaningsupplies/Stone-Care-Floor-Buffers/15089/Floor-Buffer-Stone-Care-Scrubber.htm). The more I read the more that I am overloaded with information. Again, any information that anybody is willing to share will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

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[Davestone]

I was actually thinking of getting that machine.I assume you don't want to spend 7 or 8 grand for a machine and diamonds and want to stay with a swing machine.You will need a myriad of different color pads, and look into Tynex,or Malish brushes for it,you can get different grits of impregnated brushes to use in cleaning and honing floors that will really save time.Although you will ultimately need to diamond sand some floors,you need to practice on something.I set up floors in my driveaway by thinsetting different stones to Hardi over plywood and practicing polishing and honing them,and be sure to dry different products as not all polishes and honing powders are the same.I did modify one of my buffers with a weight post on top and it was simple.Problem was it tends to wobble a little and isn't that great for polishing but works good for cleaning and honing.You will want to visit other sites and see how others do it but i recommend watching many videos and getting a few books on it.You will want to cut your time down and eliminate the stress of wondering if you're gonna get off a job without ruining the floor...i know how this can be.You will also want to consider gettin a pressure wextractor like ine here.I had better pics of the buffer but i can't find them.I took a weight stand off a punching bag setup i had and screwed it to the top of the buffer,it was simple,you can also wrap a homemade sandbag around it.

[Davestone]

I found some pics.The metal pads(46 70 120) are used for taking off lippage,but you must be careful,as you do you open fissures and and holes and leave deep scratches you must fix later.

[tileguy_n_ky]

Most of what I am running into around here is people have a polished floor with scratches in their bathrooms and they want to have a honed floor. The polished floors have been scratched and most people like the cost savings of honing the floors. The extractor looks like it would be nice. I did a white carrera floor and was using a new wet vac and saw that I was leaving scratches as I cleaned. ugh! I never thought about taping into the top of my machine and creating a weight system like you showed. Hmm, time to play in the garage and see if I can find a way to stretch what I have to go the cleaning and refinish business a little bit more.
Thanks for the information.

Greg

[Davestone]

Do you have a solution tank/That really helps.Also get a good squeegee attachment for your vac,one with soft rubber on it..I used to have a $600.00 Nilfisk till MethyleneChloride ruined it.Be careful.Honing can be accomplished in a number of ways,but black pads and a little weight on your buffer with a Malish 220 grit brush and a touch up with honing powder is one of the cheapest.Just practice, practice, practice.I love the book(Professional stone restoration secrets) by Michael Mason.
Typically for most stones you will need weight on your buffer to accomplish any honing or grinding,typically 25 pounds really helps.Most buffers are just too light unless you get one specifically made for stone, the frame will be much heavier.And try to get one with a universal clutch for ease.

[tileguy_n_ky]

Dave, were did you find the book? I can only find it on Lulu.com and it is a print to order deal. Trying to find it from another source, not having any luck though.

[Davestone]

Yeah, i see that.He actually has a website,and lives in Hawaii,but i can't find anything about him. I'll keep looking.:scratch:Here i found it. the name was wrong that must be the name of the person taking the cover pic...http://www.stonerestorationsecrets.com/