Slippery Rock Gazette

Bob Murrell 

M3 Technologies

Photos by Bob Murrell

Now that we are up and running in 2023, maybe, just maybe, some technical tips are in order. I know it helps me to just to sit down and go over small tips that can help in your day-to-day restoration work. Hopefully, it will help you some too. 

1. Let’s start with all of your water-based chemicals, because it is winter and the temperatures can easily drop down into the teens. Here in East Tennessee for sure, you should not leave any of your water-based chemicals on the van or truck overnight. If they freeze or even come close to freezing, this can change their molecular structure and, in some cases, render them useless. That is not a good thing. It is a waste of resources and could also negatively affect a restoration project. So, take inventory and remove all these items from your vehicles every night, and store them in an environmentally controlled area. If you don’t want to do this, it’s OK, because selling these chemicals is part of what I do for a living, LOL!

2. When you are grinding or honing with diamonds, using Majestic Stone Soap or Stone Soap S (highly concentrated) will help extend the life of said diamonds. Stone Soap will help to lubricate the diamonds and suspend the slurry for easier pick up. This Stone Soap solution is good for running wet with any diamond abrasives, including metal-bond diamonds, resin-bond diamonds, diamond impregnated pads, and most any abrasive like silicon carbide and aluminum oxide bricks.

3. I’ve learned several tricks over the years, regarding the use of floor machines. One of the most helpful tricks is to always use a splash guard when wet grinding, honing, and polishing. When you are running diamonds, slurry can get thrown several feet out from the machine. Reducing the amount of time spent taping and draping everything can be a big cost savings. Of course, you always need to protect adjacent surfaces where it is necessary. Using a splash guard also means you won’t be able to get quite as close to the wall/baseboard or under cabinet overhangs. When grinding and honing, the edges really need to be done with a hand tool, so the difference the splash guard causes is negligible. One way to help with cabinet overhangs is to use your smaller machine, say a 13-inch machine, with your 17-inch or 20-inch drive plate. This gives you a 2- to 3.5-inch reach to help get under the overhangs. Some of my customers use 22-inch drive plates for their 17- and 20-inch machines.

Left: Use a new and sharp razor blade to help with coating removal in tight areas. Right: Using Majestic Stone Soap can extend the life of your diamonds as well as help with slurry removal.

4. I’ve discussed the importance of razor blades before, but it is a staple if you do shower stalls on a regular basis, so I think it can stand some additional coverage. Razor blades come in different sizes and thicknesses, (gauge) as well as styles (double edge and single edge). For restoration work, like removing soap and conditioner buildup from shower walls and floors, single edge razor blades are what you need. Of course, razor blades are also used for other removal procedures, like coatings and paint removal. I personally recommend finding a razor blade holder that you like and not using the blade by itself, as this can be more difficult, and also dangerous. Always start with a razor blade under and around the faucet and shower head area. This is where everyone washes their hair and rinses off. Try gently pulling the blade across the stone on a slight angle. If there is buildup present, you’ll know pretty darn quick. Change your blade often as a fresh, sharp blade is more efficient and less likely to scratch the surface.

5. Taping materials are necessary for projects in our industry, despite splash guards. I sell Tape & Drape in two sizes, 24-inch and 48-inch. The Tape and Drape has blue painter’s tape on one edge and allows for quick masking of sensitive adjacent areas like walls, doors, and cabinetry.

It is an essential preparation product for the restoration contractor, as are other products like blue tape, red polyvinyl tape, and in some cases, Visqueen (polyethylene plastic sheeting for the protection of carpet and rugs) and the brown contractor’s paper. The blue painter’s type tapes are generally used for protection of and adhering to painted or stained surfaces. The red polyvinyl tape is used for additional protection from water, usually in conjunction with blue tape and/or Tape & Drape. Use inexpensive brown contractor’s paper to protect project access areas and to cover completed projects, for protection from foot traffic. 

Left: Use a 20-inch drive plate under a 13-inch floor machine to help you to get under cabinet overhangs.   Right: Use red poly tape to help you feather a polish on black granite.

6. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of proper maintenance product usage. Never leave it to a client to choose and implement their own product of choice, especially for your completed projects. Leave them with some of the Majestic pH No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner, and either sell them the product going forward or tell them where to get it. In this way you can help ensure the project will remain at its optimum level longer and with less mishaps. Poor maintenance product choice results in project failures more than most all other reasons. Believe me, I get the calls…

It’s a great idea to leave a bottle of Majestic No-Rinse pH Neutral Cleaner for the client.

Hopefully, these tips are helpful refreshers. If you need specific help, reach out to me and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

As always – and before beginning any new project – I recommend submitting a test area to confirm the results and the procedure prior to starting a stone or hard surface restoration/maintenance project. Also, the best way to help ensure success is by partnering with a good distributor, like BB Industries, that knows the business. They can help with technical support, product purchase decisions, logistics, and other pertinent project information.

Bob Murrell has worked in the natural stone industry for over 40 years and is well known for his expertise in natural stone, tile, and decorative concrete restoration and maintenance. He helped develop some of the main products and processes which revolutionized the industry, and is currently the Director of Operations for M3 Technologies.

Send your comments and questions to Bob at attn:publisher@slipperyrockgazette.net .