Page 24 - Demo

24 | February 2024
Stone Restoration Corner
Continued from page 19
Re-polishing or re-honing is required periodically, especially on softer stones like travertine and other soft calcium-con- taining stones. The more the foot traf- fic the more and faster the wear patterns develop. Lack of proper maintenance will also increase the frequency of re-polishing. Ideally, you should implement a periodic follow-up maintenance program to deal with traffic wear and other issues. This periodic service agreement is a good source of recurring income.
Diamond abrasives and other grinding or honing products are used routinely to restore or change the look of a hard sur- face. When stone wears beyond what pol- ishing or honing powders alone can correct, captured grain abrasives (diamond discs or pucks) become necessary. Typical hon- ing steps, to correct traffic wear and acidic spills, normally begins with a 220 grit disc. Of course, regarding flooring, this depends on the degree of the existing lippage. If the lippage is very minimal, you may be good to start at a 220 grit. If the lippage is mod- erate to severe, it will normally need to be flattened. In any case, you should always have a good inventory of TX Triple Thick diamonds (say from 50 grit to at least 800 or 1800 grit as well as some 5-inch res- in-bonded diamonds (same as TX grits) for edging/border work. I also recommend having some flexible metal-bonds (ELF series), both 3-inch for floor machines and 5-inch for use on a hand tool. Keep them in your toolbox, for any heavier stock removal requirements.
Then there are the accessories like drive plates for floor machines and hand tools, splash guards, replacement Velcro, steel wool pads for polishing, more replacement Velcro, and spacers for added cushion or flexibility. Some contractors just don’t want to fool with scraping off old Velcro from drive plates and replacing with new and instead just purchase a new drive plate. Others prefer to save over $100 and replace the old with new. I suggest getting the reg- ular Velcro-type drive plate without the
Slippery Rock Gazette
400 grit diamond hand pad for spot repair, used here on Tennessee Pink marble.
added foam cushion. In this way, Velcro replacement is an easier task. You can use the 3-inch spacers, under your diamond discs, for extra cushion and flexibility.
Consumables are a necessary expense for this business. Be sure you keep them in stock to avoid costly last-minute pur- chases. Running out last-minute to a hard- ware store to get products that may not be the best design for our applications, takes away from your bottom line.
As always and before beginning any new project, I recommend submitting a test area to confirm the results and the proce- dure, prior to starting a stone or hard sur- face 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 per- tinent 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 mainte- nance. 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 .
“There is little need of commentary upon this clause. No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution.” – Joseph Story
Top: Majestic Stone Plus Concentrate left behind for customer’s “antique” Corian countertop. Above: Majestic Color Enhancing Sealer being applied to Crab Orchard flagstone. M3 Technologies and BB Industries can supply most all of your consumables.