Tile & Grout Preparation and Application Procedures

BallistiX Squire & BallistiX NCO Products

BallistiX Squire and BallistiX NCO products are for use on all concrete substrates (raw or finished/polished/grind & sealed, porous or non-porous/power troweled), pavers, natural stone, concrete terrazzo, tile and grout flooring such as slate tiles, travertine tiles, limestone tiles, and sandstone tiles, and epoxy surfaces including epoxy metallic and epoxy terrazzo. BallistiX Squire and BallistiX NCO products are not to be used on vinyl surfaces. Please refer to our BallistiX Ranger product line for vinyl surfaces.

Essential Equipment

• Extraction Unit with spinner, edger, pressure gun
• Moisture detector
• Digital thermometer
• 175 RPM machine
• 80 grit concrete nylon-grit brush attachment
• Grout brush
• Drying towels
• Extension pole
• Applications Applicator (deck Pad and/or microfiber sponge towels)
• Hand pump sprayer

Tile Properties Identification

Interior Procedures

Cleaning (Remove Existing Impediments)

• Create maximum surface area by lightly sanding with 80 grit sanding
• Re-roll product every 5 min. 3 times or until stripper appears to remain “sheeted” – lays like water on a table
• Let stand or “break down” coating for 20 min
• Scrub with a 175-rpm machine using the NYB-grit 80 – this will assist in releasing the coating
• Using an extraction system, clean with Cleaning Solution and rinse entire floor
• If any coating still remains, repeat stripping process
• After confirmation of complete strip, rinse floor with an acid-based tile and grout cleaner

TIP: Always test the integrity of the grout in several areas; some problems such as cracks, discoloration, bubbles, dark-light spots, other sealers, etc. are hidden by soil or grease. After thorough cleaning, always check the grout integrity and point out any problems.

Cleaning Validation

• Check pH of floor, checking grout lines separately
• Floors to be re-coated, pH must be between 6 – 8 for optimal finish
• If pH is higher than 8, apply an acidic solution
• If pH is lower than 6, apply an alkaline solution
• Do a final rinse with CFE (i.e.  pH = 4 then rinsing solution should = 10
• Hot water/extraction and retest pH

Optional

• Wipe entire surface with Isopropyl Alcohol
• Helps remove remaining debris
• Mimics finished look after coating

BallistiX Squire & BallistiX NCO Mixing Instructions

Maintenance Procedures

1.Daily remove debris from surface

2.Daily vacuum, sweep and/or dust mop

3.Daily mop floors with hot water mixed with cleaning solution as directed

4.Rinse with hot water and allow to dry

WARRANTY PROTECTION

• NEVER use harsh chemicals or equipment
• NEVER apply other coatings to surface
• ALWAYS follow the above procedures

When surface is in need of a high shine:

• Clean floor with cleaner such as Ameripolish Cleaning Solution using hot water, and buff floor with WHITE pad (highly recommended for better performance)
• Do NOT maintain floor with a Black or Red Pad – extremely unnecessary!

Small Area Remediation of Newly Coated Surfaces

(up to 7 days after application)

• Identify complete area of concern
• See joint lines as guide for area(s) to be repaired
• Apply Yellow Frog Tape or Masking Tape along designated repair area using the joint lines as natural breaks. (Do NOT use Blue Painter’s Tape)
• Carefully wipe area to be repaired with IPA/Denatured Alcohol & towel being very careful not to touch or drip on surrounding coated areas
• Allow alcohol to sit for a few minutes until it evaporates totally
• Use 6-inch Glass & Tile Scrapper on Concrete Substrate OR non-abrasive pad such as Norton Abrasives (epoxy) to remove the old coating
• Vacuum up the coating which should be a fine powder
• Complete a final wipe down of area with IPA/Denatured Alcohol & towel to remove all contaminants
• Using black foam brush & microfiber pad (depending on size of repair), re-apply the product evenly and carefully remove tape no more than 30 minutes after installation
• Create obvious barriers to the area(s) repaired in order to prevent any further damage

Large Remediation Procedures

• Identify complete area of concern
• Use joint lines as your parameters of the area(s) to be repaired
• Apply blue painters tape along designated repair area using the grout lines as natural breaks.
• Carefully wipe area to be repaired with an IPA and towel being very careful not to touch or drip on surrounding coated area
• Dry sand with 60 grit sandpaper any remaining coating for complete removal (2-3 years after application: wet sand with medium sand dollar pad on a 175rpm floor machine)
• Complete a final wipe of area with an IPA towel to remove all debris and dust (unless on tile & grout - remember to insure pH is neutral at 6-8 range)
• Using an appropriate size deck pad style tool, re-apply the product evenly and carefully remove painter's tape
• Create obvious barriers to the area(s) repaired so as to prevent any further damage