Epic Yard Sale Find

[timborow]

I found this last weekend for $5. It was pretty dirty, but works like new. It had the shampoo brushes, storage tray, and the nap lifters. Here is a before picture.

 

[timborow]

After the clean up

I was really wanting this for polishing hardwoods. I used one years ago, but had forgotten how well these work. I don't have the right polishing pads for it. I ordered some lambswool pads from Totalvac.com, but I still think I need the bristle brushes. Am I correct? If anyone has a set of the bristled scrub brushes they would be willing to sell, let me know.
Tim

 

[goadie12]

Wow for that price you scored thanks. Zach

 

[timborow]

Wax?

What type of wax will work for spray buffing with the Floorpro? If I put MopnGlo in a spray bottle and mist the floor, will the lambswool pads bring out the lustre? Btw I have polyeurathane finish on my hardwoods?

 

[aeoliandave]

Tom, this Electrolux kit just came up on eBay that would go with your new machine. (no, it's not from the 50s as the seller imagines.)
Don't know if there's anything here you need but the price is right, it's in South Carolina and it had the bristle brushes.

For some reason there is also a cloth dustbag for the Lux vacuum...

Dave

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260873858576?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[henry200]

Spray buffing is a proceedure used on commercial vinyl tile or terazzo.........NOT for wood floors.  MopNGlo is a self-leveling acrylic finish which doesn't respond to buffing.  (think laytex paint)  For WOOD floors you need to use a liquid or preferably a paste wax.  To use your Electrolux you will need a set of the scrubbing/buffing fiber brushes and if possible the 3M Scotchbrite type pads that snap on.  If you have the pads you can apply a few small dabs of paste wax on the pads and then go over a section of the floor (4x4 feet or so)  The friction melts the wax and spreads it on the floor, and the pads pick up dirt and smudges.  If you don't have the pads you'll have to apply the wax by hand to the floor.   When the wax has dried (about 30 minutes) go over the floor using the fiber brushes.  This will bring up the shine.  Then, put the lambswool pads on and go over the floor again for a mirror-like finish.   Use the wax sparingly...a little goes a long way.  You want a thin coating which hardens with buffing.  Using too much will leave the floors kind of sticky/smeary. 


 


Neil

 

[timborow]

Thanks.

I never knew that about the different types of wax, Neil. Thanks for the info. I've never polished wood floors, only tile. Will the Electrolux wax work the same way? I found some of that online. Will the 3m pads not scratch the finish that is already on there?
Tim

 

[henry200]

You're welcome, Tim

The Electrolux liquid wax will work very well.   I just prefer to use paste wax since it's closer to pure wax, not a bit of wax suspended in a lot of petroleum distilate.  Which, btw, brings up another point.  Do this when you can have the windows open all day.  The fumes are um......breathtaking!  If you use the liquid wax you won't need the 3M pads, just spread it on the floor with a wax applicator pad or a clean rag tied around a sponge mop.  If used "dry" the pads could probably dull the varnish on the floor but they are only mildly abrasive and with the paste wax acting as a "lubricant" there isn't a problem.   Back before the advent of the 3M pads my mother used steel wool pads on her buffer.  They were probably the equivalent of #000, not too abrasive but enough to loosen any dirt stuck to the floor and create enough "heat" to melt and distribute the paste wax.


 


Once there is a layer of wax on the floor it's easy to renew the shine with periodic rebuffing.  The stiff bristle brushes and then the lambswool pads will re-melt and even out the wax.  My floors don't get a lot of traffic so I do the whole routine with paste wax about every 18-24 months and rebuff every 4-6 months in-between.  That seems to me like a lot less work than trying to keep wall to wall carpeting looking fresh!

 

[MikeKLondon]

Floor Polishing

Hi all, its so good to see I'm not the last one to still wax the floors, I use a Fakir polisher daily. It is possible to spray buff wood BUT only if its sealed. Wax gives a much better finish and protects the wood. I use antique wax floor polish on all the floors both wood and kitchen tiles just wipe a little on leave for 30 minutes and buff.
Can't find a pic of the Fakir on my PC but you can just see a bit of the kitchen floor in this one