How to remove Cabots floor shine?

[zorba]

I applied Cabot’s floor shine after using Cabot’s floor cleaner . Used the lambswool pad but now it is uneven and now looks to shiny. Has highlighted water marks and imperfections. 
is it possible to remove it and if so what product to use ! 

[JacobZ · Accepted solution]

Hi @zorba,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Unfortunately, floor polishes and sealers will accentuate issues like water marks and imperfect timber.

Can I trouble you for some photos of the uneven spots? This would help our members understand the issue and offer their best advice based on your specific circumstance.

Can you also confirm the specific product that you've used? Was it this Cabot's Floor Polish? 

If so, then Cabot's recommendation for removing old layers of polish, as shown in their Product Data Sheet, is cloudy ammonia, such as this Long Life Cloudy Ammonia. 

Please ensure you read the label closely and follow all recommended precautions such as wearing gloves, long protective clothing, a mask and eye protection while using this product. It is also a good idea to open as many doors and windows as possible so that the fumes can dissipate as quickly as possible.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[zorba]

Yes it is Cabot’s floor polish as you said. 
I have attached a pic and I think they are water marks under the floorboards coming from the external apartment wall. There has been water damage about 5 years ago  and this is the replacement floor laid down 2 years ago. 
I tried explaining to strata about weep holes at that time  but as they said “ if it ain’t broke …. You know what I mean. Can the boards be replaced after wall problem is fixed. It’s tongue and groove I think . 

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @zorba,

I'm almost certain that you have vinyl plank flooring, which is essentially a plastic material made to look like timber. With this being said, Cabot's Floor Polish is not typically used for this type of flooring and it appears to be reacting poorly with the coating on the top of the flooring.

Please stop everything and don't use the ammonia I mentioned earlier to remove the polish, as it can react poorly with vinyl flooring.

I will contact our suppliers and see what they recommend.

Please bear with me.

Jacob

[zorba]

I have attached an image of the invoice when it was first supplied and the spare box of planks. It was supposed to be timber ? What do you think it is as it was insurance claim and if they laid vinyl then that is fraudulent behavior 

[Jason]

Hi @zorba,

Can you please try uploading your photos again? It would be great to see the invoice and any spare planks you have to help identify the flooring.

Jason

[zorba]

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @zorba,

Apologies, your floorboards appear to be timber, as evidenced by the splinters on the spares. The reflecting light on the original photos made them look much more like laminate floorboards. 

With this being said, you will be fine to use the cloudy ammonia to remove the polish. Just follow the instructions on the label for mixing and application.

When you say there is an issue with water entering the apartment, has this been fixed?

If not, then it should be the priority before replacing any floorboards.

Once you are sure it is managed, then you should be able to replace the damaged floorboards by working your way back towards them from the nearest wall. As they are tongue-in-groove, it is not simple to remove and replace one in the centre of the room. A professional floor layer may have a technique that they can use, but I am not aware of one that would work.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob