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Acid Staining of Concrete
The Trewax® product best suited for this application is Trewax® Indoor/Outdoor Stone & Tile Sealer. Before the sealer is applied the surface must be thoroughly neutralized. Thoroughly scrub the stained surface with an alkaline cleaner such as Trewax® Natural Orange or Trewax® Instant Wax Stripper. Thoroughly scrub the area with a stiff bristled brush or floor machine. Rinse thoroughly. No dust should be noted when dry surface is wiped with fingertips. The surface must also be completely dry before finish application. Allowing the surface to dry 16 to 24 hours is strongly suggested.

Acid Staining of Concrete Problem Solving
The most common problems are caused by coating before the surface is completely dry or cured and applying finish when floor is not thoroughly neutralized.
These are the symptoms
If finish is applied to a concrete floor that is not thoroughly dry or cured; the finish will lift from the surface and will take on a white scaly appearance.
The 'Fix' is
1. Strip the floor with Trewax® Instant Wax Stripper using floor machine and black stripping pad.
2. Rinse thoroughly with no dust on fingertips after surface dries. Allow to dry 16-24 hours. If finish is applied to surface that is not completely neutralized, it will apply OK and then turn curd or powdery white.
3. Refinish, See "Liquid Finish Application Techniques"

Animal Sensitivity
All Trewax® floor waxes and finishes are non-toxic to animals.

Adhesion Considerations General
This problem is usually one of three floor characteristics. These are:
1. Low Porosity,
2. Oily Nature and / or Detergent Residues, and
3. Flexible Surfaces. For the first two possibilities, do a water drop test. If a drop of water beads on the surface, this means that there is no porosity and / or the surface has an oily nature. If the water drop soaks in, a water based finish will adhere properly.

Adhesion Considerations Low Porosity
Low Porosity! Some surfaces are very shiny with no protective coatings applied. By definition these surfaces are low porosity. Film forming finishes sometimes do not adhere well to these surfaces because there is not enough porosity for proper adherence. This would be analogous to coating a mirror. If this is the case, a coating will peel off either in sheets or flakes, similar to one getting over sunburn with peeling skin. In this situation Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is the product of choice. The carnauba wax content is the important component in this case. Adherence is not a problem with these wax-based coatings.

Adhesion Considerations Oily Nature and/or Detergent Residues
If a surface has an oily nature, water based finish will not penetrate and will sit on the surface. The presence of unrinsed detergents such as X Brand Oil Soap and cleaners will very likely cause a similar problem.

Adhesion Considerations Flexible surface
Flexibility of floor surface. Surfaces such as rubber, and no wax have a flexible surface. When walked on they flex to some degree. Many film forming floor coatings do not move with the floor and walk away quickly. On this surface, lack of porosity combined with inherent flexibility may make a finish powder or flake away.

Applicator Characteristics
Sponge and lamb's wool applicators lay down finish very well. However, they entrain a lot of air and can create bubbles easily. Most folks use sponge mops for cleaning by making back and forth strokes. When cleaning a floor, this is perfectly OK. When applying a finish with either sponge or lamb's wool applicators, this motion generates bubbles that cannot burst before the drying process starts. With proper technique, the finish will apply perfectly. See the section on "Liquid Finish Application Technique"

Architectural Applications
Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is perfectly suited for this application. Surface types are unlimited. Examples include concrete, granite, marble, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, wood, iron, fiberglass, painted surfaces, flexible surfaces such as rubber, on and on. The technique for wax application is exactly the same as applying wax to one's automobile. Trewax® products do not contain silicone and may be removed with mineral spirits. Also see "Wax Application Techniques" topic; See "Patina Protection" topic.

Automotive Applications
Can Trewax® Clear Paste Wax be used on automobiles? The primary precaution has to do with Clear Cote applied to new automobiles at the factory or as an aftermarket coating. The solvent system will not remove it but might dull this coating. There is no problem with untreated surfaces on cars, trucks, machinery, boats, motor homes, and campers.

Canadian Retail Stores
Home Hardware, Federated Cooperatives

Canadian Wholesale Distributors
Home Hardware, Sodisco-Howden, Federated Cooperatives

Cold Weather Finish Application
Trewax® floor coatings may be applied when the floor temperature is 70° degrees F or warmer. In winter months, with central heat running, the temperature and humidity is usually in the comfort range and the humidity is low. Areas next to exterior doors should be warmed with auxiliary heat before finish application. Applying floor coatings when the temperature is cooler may still be done, however, the drying time will be extended.

Competitive Paste Wax Products
Johnson Paste Wax, Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, Briwax Clear, Lundmark Clear Paste Wax, Howard Citrus-Shield Natural Paste Wax, Fiddes & Son Light Wax, Butcher's Wax, Bruce Wax

Drying Time
How fast a finish dries is dependent on temperature, humidity, and film thickness. Lower temperatures and higher humidity slows drying time. Try to apply finishes when the room temperature is at least 70° degrees F. If humidity tends to be high, apply finishes after lunch. Humidity is also reduced if either air conditioning or heat is on. To hasten drying time, apply a couple light coats rather than one heavy one.

Finish Bubbling
Finish bubbling is caused by entrained air in the finish applicator. The proper technique of finish application will give perfect lay down. Most folks use sponge mops for cleaning by making back and forth strokes. When cleaning a floor, this is perfectly OK. When applying a finish with either sponge or lamb's wool applicators, this motion generates bubbles that cannot burst before the drying process starts. See "Liquid Finish Application Technique" topic; See "Preferred Finish Applicators" topic.

Floor Equipment
A line of floor equipment was offered by Trewax® several years ago. The company that manufactured it is now called EDIC. Refer equipment calls to them.
EDIC
1763 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
323.660.1635
800.338.3342
323.667.0144 (FAX)
edicusa@gte.net

Floor Stripping Procedure
Traditional stripping procedures should not be used on wood flooring. Trewax® Instant Wax Stripper is diluted from 1:1 to 1:3 with water, applied very liberally to the floor, allowed to soak a few minutes, and then scrubbed with abrasive pads, stiff bristled brushes or a floor machine with an abrasive pad. Scrub thoroughly and pick up residual stripper solution and dissolved finish with absorbent media or wet vac. Rinse until tennis shoes squeak on wet floor, no more suds appear in the rinse water, and / or no dust is visible on the fingertips when wiped on dry floor. Also, if stripping by hand treat small areas with stripper, agitate, and pick up residue before it can evaporate.

Food Prep Surfaces
Carnauba wax is obtained from a Brazilian palm tree and has been used historically in cosmetic products such as lipstick formulations. It is safe to use on food preparation surfaces such as counter tops, cutting boards, butcher blocks, lathe-turned salad bowls, etc.

Four Seasons Boat Wax
Four Seasons Boat Wax is distributed by CRC Industries through Marine retailers. For their distributor locations call 800.227.8307.
The difference between the Boat Wax and Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is in two areas. The boat wax contains more 'active' ingredients (including carnauba wax) and, it contains a notable silicone component.

Furniture Applications
All of the Trewax® finishes for wood floors are suitable for use on furniture, either in a finished state such as antiques, or in manufacturing / hobby / project raw wood applications. Trewax® Hardwood Floor Refinisher is an acrylic finish that dries to a high shine. It should be used on raw or stripped wood surfaces. Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is carnauba wax based and needs to be buffed to get their soft, rich look. Trewax® Mahogany Paste Wax is formulated with a reddish brown pigment. It may be used on darker woods or on stained woods that have been scuffed, scratched or abraded. It also needs to be buffed to attain its deep, rich appearance.

Liquid Finish Application Techniques
1. After applicator soaks up finish, squeeze out about half the content. It is not necessary to be exact at this point. The idea is to not have a lot of finish dripping onto the floor.
2. (This is important.) Make the applicator hit the floor at an angle similar to that of an airplane landing.
3. Make the finish application run down the runway. Move the applicator in a figure "S" or figure "8" pattern.
4. (This is important part) make the sponge mop take off at an angle similar to that of an airplane taking off. It will be immediately noticed that very few bubbles will be generated and the finish will flow onto the floor very evenly.
5. Repeat until surface is entirely covered. See "Preferred Finish Applicators" topic.

Locating a Store with Trewax® Products
Trewax® products are available through local hardware stores and on-line. Click here to learn more!

Lubrication Applications
Waxes in an unbuffed or lightly buffed state have unique lubrication properties. Application saw tables such as for band and scroll saws greatly improve the ease and smoothness of the stock feeding into the blade. The wax also gives a protective coating that notably slows down the formation of surface rust. Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is the product for this application.

Marikate Boat Wax
See "Four Seasons Boat Wax" topic.

Mold Release Applications
Trewax® Clear Paste Wax is used extensively in mold release applications. These applications include concrete pipe, statuary, mold release for cast bullets for muzzle loading rifles, coatings for bolt heads to keep epoxy adhesives from sticking, on and on. The dried wax is hydrophobic in nature, meaning water beads on it. It contains no silicones, however. If necessary the wax can be removed with mineral spirits.

Paste Wax Application Techniques
See "Wax Application Technique" topic.

Patina Protection
Trewax® Clear Paste Wax may be used to protect the greenish patina that may form naturally or those derived from chemical treatments. In the reverse application, use of Trewax® Clear Paste Wax applied to clean oxidizable surfaces will notably retard the formation of tarnish or a natural patina.

Polyurethane questions
1. Will Trewax® Wood Cleaner harm or remove polyurethane floor coatings? No. It will not harm or try to remove this type of coating. It will try to remove old wax and anything greasy that may be on the floor.
2. Can Trewax® water based finishes be used on polyurethane coated floors? Yes. They can. Adhesion is not a problem unless the floor is extremely smooth and has no porosity. In some cases the surface is so smooth, it would be like trying to coat a mirror. If this is the case, Trewax® Paste Waxes are the best choices.

Powdery Residue
Powdery residue can develop from several situations. If the floor has been stripped with Trewax® Instant Wax Stripper and has not been rinsed well, a powdery residue will remain. Rinse again to remedy. If a floor finish has been applied over a stripped floor that has not been rinsed, the finish may powder. To repair, re-strip floor then rinse thoroughly and reapply finish. If a finished floor is cleaned with an ammoniated cleaner, the finish may powder on the floor. To repair, scrub floor thoroughly, rinse well, recoat with Trewax® finish of choice. Go to, Stone Flooring Products or Vinyl Flooring Products

Preferred Finish Applicators
Trewax® finishes are designed to apply easily and virtually bubble-free. Use of an applicator using the proper application technique gives much better coat uniformity and faster results than applying by hand. These Trewax® finishes include, Indoor/Outoddor Stone and Tile Sealer Finish, Gold Label Sealer Wax, and Hardwood Floor Refinisher. The proper applicator can be anything from a paintbrush to a rayon mop. For best results, review the "Liquid Finish Application Techniques" topic.

Preferred Finish Applicators for Larger Areas
For larger areas a rayon mop is recommended. The finish may be applied to the floor and then spread with the mop using a 'Figure-8" pattern. When ready to apply more finish, make the mop head leave the floor at an angle, just like an airplane taking off from a runway. If a mop bucket and wringer is used, immerse the mop halfway in the finish, wring until the mop will barely drip, land the mop onto the floor, make the "Figure-8" pattern as described above progressing over the area, and again, making the mop take off at an angle, just like an airplane leaving a runway. This technique will eliminate the or greatly reduce the formation of bubbles.
Comments:
When the project is completed, rinse the mop until no more white finish is visible. It can be used to apply finish again. Do not use this mop for anything else other than finish application.

Preferred Finish Applicators for Smaller Areas
For smaller areas a soft rectangular foam pad called a "Speed Painter" for interior applications may be used. Using the "Speed Painter" and a paint roller pan, place small amount of finish in pan, let the "Speed Painter" soak up a small amount of finish. Press the finish-soaked pad onto the inclined portion of the roller pan to squeeze out excess finish. Land the applicator onto the floor making "s" or "Figure-8" strokes. When ready to re-dose the applicator, make it take off the floor just like an airplane leaving the runway. This technique will eliminate or greatly reduce the formation of bubbles.
Comments:
When the project is completed, rinse the pad until no more white finish is visible. It can be used to apply finish again. Do not use this pad for anything else other than finish application.

Protective Coating for Art Work
See "Architectural Applications" topic.

Silicone Content
Trewax® products do not contain silicones.

Stained Concrete
See "Acid Staining" topic.

Statuary Applications
See "Architectural Applications" topic.

Streaking Finish
What makes the coating look uneven and streaked?
This comment usually comes when only one coat is applied, most often by hand rather than with an applicator. Apply two or more coats and appearance will be uniform.

Strip Acrylic Finish from Wood Floor
Trewax® Acrylic Finish, Stone and Tile Sealer and Gold Label Sealer are acrylic based finishes. Trewax® Instant Wax Remover is designed to remove this finish type. However, since stripping this finish type usually requires a flooding technique, call to discuss possible alternative methods.

Strip Wax from Wood Floor
Mineral spirits work by dissolving old wax. Apply Wood Cleaner to the floor or rag and apply liberally. Keep treated area small to allow work and pickup time before evaporation. Agitate with stiff bristled brush or fine steel wool to hasten wax penetration. Pick up dissolved wax and soil with rags or paper towels before Wood Cleaner evaporates. Move on to adjacent area and repeat procedure. The solution is flammable. Keep away from open flames. Trewax® Wood Cleaner has a very low odor. However, ventilation of the treated area is still a good idea.

Trewax® Floor Equipment
At one time, Trewax® offered a line of floor care equipment. The company that now handles parts and inquiries is called
EDIC
1753 Blake avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90031-1006
323.660.1635
800.338.EDIC
FAX 323.667.0144
email: edicusa@gte.net
www.edic-usa.com

Uneven Wax Coating
See "Wax Application Technique" topic.

Wax Application Accessories and Tools
If you plan to apply the wax by hand it is best to have a nice pair of kneepads or something soft to kneel on. The remainder of hand application is pretty intuitive.
The next step up in automation is a buffing hood on a random orbital sander or an “auto wax” buffer. These systems have two “bonnets” one that is a harder shorter knap or sponge material (sometimes blue in color) the second bonnet is soft terry cloth or lambs wool. The first is to apply the wax and the second is used to buff after the applied wax has dried for 10-2- minutes.
The final set-up is perfect for applying wax and buffing larger surfaces. Use a low speed (150-200 rpm) floor machine or floor buffer. This equipment is recognizable by a circular covered disk with an electric motor on top and a handle. They come in several sizes most common is 13” or 19”. Associated with the rotating disc are brushes or “pad drivers”. The pad driver is a wooden disc with some very short stout bristles, which grab on to a variety of polishing pads. The off white, tan, or red pads can be used to apply the wax while the white are used to buff. Remember, the final buffing can be accomplished either with the brushes, white buffing pad, or a wool or cotton blanket (towel). The circular floor machine does the job quickly but is a tiny bit difficult to handle. Once you have the hang of it this floor machine is simple and easy to use. The final system consists of an electric motor powered buffer/applicator with two, counter rotating, pad drivers or brushes. This system is very easy to handle.
These floor machines are available from local tool rental companies or for sale by folks like Kirby or Oreck.

Wax Application Technique
Trewax® Clear Paste Wax and Mahogany Paste Wax may be applied by hand or by machine. Without exception the best results come from when the wax layer is very thin and very even. Application of two light even coats gives better results than one heavy one.
Apply wax by hand in a circular motion to insure coverage in surface imperfections. If there is heavy figuring in the wood or carving use a natural bristle brush to assure that the application is thin and evenly distributed. Hand application is generally used on furniture or small floor areas.
Best results are obtained on larger areas by using mechanical application tools. See "Wax Application Accessories and Tools". Apply wax to the applicator just like applying peanut butter onto a slice of bread. Only cover 20% of the pad with wax. Place tool on surface, turn on and move in a back and forth until wax is exhausted. Reapply wax on applicator and repeat. Apply wax to an area about 5’ x 5’ at a time.
In both cases the wax can be buffed after it has dried, usually 10-20 minutes. It is best to buff between coats. Remember natural waxes are “evaporative surfaces”. That is a carrier (light solvent) is used to make the rock hard waxes pliable enough to spread evenly on the surface. After application the carrier begins to evaporate leaving a thin layer of those rock hard waxes. Buffing warms the surface and mechanically smoothes the surface. For an extra shine I like to use an old wool blanket beneath the buffing pad as a final step resulting in a wonderful luster. Old but clean bath towels work as well but I prefer the wool.

Where to Purchase Trewax® products
Trewax® products are available through local hardware stores and on-line. Click here to learn more!

White Spots / Areas
White spots are caused by the presence of water on the finished flooring. Since water based finishes have emulsifiers and wetting agents in them to help leveling properties and improve adhesion, whiteness is caused by water re-absorption. In most cases, the finish will re-clarify as the water evaporates. If the film stays white and possibly tries to peel or scale away, scrub area with abrasive pad, rinse thoroughly then reapply finish to affected area.