Which products should I use for floor surfaces?
Why do granite or marble surfaces require special care?
Natural stones are just that - natural, and therefore uniquely
imperfect. They are the most perfect marriage of beauty and brawn found in no other rock. Granite is a tough composite of
minerals which, through millions of years of intense heat and pressure, formed beautiful crystalline patterns. This natural
formation has left these stones porous. Because of their porous characteristic, they act much like a sponge around liquids,
oils and dirt.
Felixchem has made stone maintenance simpler by taking you through 3 basic steps towards safeguarding your stone: Clean,
Seal, and Polish. Felixchem's Recommended Care Program reduces the risk of harming stone surfaces.
How do I use:
Cleaner (Stone-X™ is a cleaner, it is not intended for stain removal purposes): |
- Simply spray Stone-X™ onto the stone surface.
- With a clean, dry terry cloth or paper towel, wipe off Stone-X™ from surface.
- Clean surfaces as frequently as daily or weekly.
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Polish (not for use on floors): |
- Shake the bottle before using. Apply the Polish-X™ to the surface with a clean, dry, white terry cloth towel.
- Let the Polish-X™ dry to a haze for 2 minutes.
- Wipe off the haze with a clean, dry, white terry cloth towel.
- Repeat process with Polish-X™ weekly to protect and enhance the beauty, and enrich the crystalline colors of your
natural stone countertops.
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Initial product applications should be utilized in the order of Stone-X™, Strongman-W™, Polish-X™ |
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Stain-X™ Poultice Powder: |
- Wet the stained area with distilled water. This will isolate the stain and intensify the removal process. (Do not use
hot water and do not apply if the air temperature is below 32 degrees.)
- Blend the powder to a thick paste consistency like peanut butter. Apply with a wood spatula.
- Apply a layer of about 1/4" thick to the stained area.
*DO NOT SPILL THE POULTICE ON THE UNSTAINED AREA*
- Cover the poultice with plastic food wrap and tape the edges down with an easy to remove adhesive. This traps the moisture
and prevents the poultice from drying to quickly.
- Be sure that the poultice is completely dry before removing the wrap. Proper drying time is 24-48 hours. If the poultice
is removed early, the stain may not be removed.
- When dry, take the wrap off and remove the dry poultice with a wooden spatula. The poultice should now be hard. Rinse
with Stone-X™ Countertop Cleaner and wipe off with a clean soft cloth.
- If the stain still appears, repeat the process again. It may take a few applications for complete removal, especially
for older and more severe stains. (Polished stone has smaller pores, therefore, stain removal may require an extra application.)
- Slight etching may occur from the poultice. To correct, polish with Etch-X™ Polish Restoring Cream
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Etch-X™ Polishing Cream: |
MARBLE WALLS, VANATIES, AND COUNTERTOPS ONLY:
- Clean the surface with Stone-X™ Countertop Cleaner.
- Shake the Etch-X™ bottle before using.
- Add a few small drops of water to the damaged area and then apply a dab of Etch-X™ to the dull or damaged area.
- With a clean and damp white terry cloth towel or buffing pad, begin buffing in a circular motion.
- Wipe off when desired appearance is attained.
- Rinse with Stone-X™ Countertop Cleaner.
- Protect the surface with Polish-X™ Countertop Polish.
*Polish-X is not for use on floors.
FOR MARBLE FLOORS:
- Etch-X™ Polish Restoring Cream should be used with a white or a hogs hair pad.
- Approximate usage is one ounce per five square feet.
- Be sure to remove all coatings, dust, and loose sediment from the surface prior to applying the Etch-X™.
- Apply three inches of Etch-X™ to the worn surface, spray water over the Etch-X™, and begin buffing directly
into the floor with a 175 RPM. The cream should remain pasty throughout the buffing process.
- Buff until the haze is completely gone and a natural shine appears on the floor.
- Rinse the floor immediately with Stone-F™ Floor Cleaner.
- Buff the completed area with a clean, dry white or hogs hair pad.
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Grout-X™ |
WET MOPPING or SPONGING: (Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Surfaces)
- Dilute GROUT-X™ accordingly
- Apply solution with a clean mop or sponge.
- Let solution dry on the surface.
- Rinsing is not necessary.
SPRAY CLEANING:
- Dilute GROUT-X™ at 1-2 ounces per quart of warm water.
- Spray onto the ceramic or porcelain surface and wife off with a clean soft cloth or paper towel.
RECCOMMENDATIONS:
- Always test a small area before using
- Use rubber gloves for maximum protection
- Grout should be sealed with Strongman-W™
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Grout-SS™ Acidic Tile & Grout Cleaner: |
WET MOPPING or SPONGE MOP: (Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Surfaces)
- Dilute GROUT-SS™ 1-2 ounces per gallon of warm water.
- Apply solution with a clean mop or sponge.
- Let solution dry on the surface.
- Rinsing is not necessary.
SPRAY CLEANING:
- Dilute GROUT-SS™ at 1-2 ounces per quart of warm water.
- Spray onto the stone surface and let it set for one minute.
- Wipe off with a clean soft cloth.
GROUT CLEANING:
- Dilute GROUT-SS™ 4-6 ounces per quart of warm water.
- Apply the GROUT-SS™ to the grout and let it stand for three minutes.
- Begin scrubbing the grout with a short soft bristled brush.
- Wipe off with a clean and dry terry cloth towel.
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Grout-XX™ Intensive Cleaner: |
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Be sure the surface is free from loose debris and sediment.
- CLEANING DILUTION RATIOS ACCORDING TO INTENSITY:
a. Light soil (2 ounces to 1 gallon of warm water)
b. Medium soil (6 ounces to 1 gallon of warm water) c. Heavy soil (10 ounces to 1 gallon of warm water)
WET MOP OR SPONGE SMOOTH (POLISHED) SURFACES:
- Apply solution with a clean rayon mop or sponge mop.
- Let solution set for one minute.
(On polished marble or limestone let it set for a maximum of one minute.)
- Pick up solution with a mop or wet/dry vacuum.
- Lightly rinse with Grout-XX™ Intensive Cleaner using a clean rayon mop or sponge mop.
*Never use Grout-XX™ undiluted on polished surfaces.
SPRAY CLEANING:
- Dilute Grout-XX™ at 1 ounce per quart of warm water.
- Spray onto the stone surface and let it set for two minutes.
(On polished marble or limestone let it set for a maximum
of one minute.)
- Wipe off with a clean soft cloth.
- Rinse with Stone-F™ Floor Cleaner.
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Strongman-W™ Stone Sealer: |
- Surface should be dry for 6-12 hours before sealing.
- Clean surface using Stone-X Countertop Cleaner or Stone-F™ Floor Cleaner. (It is safe to lightly clean the stone before sealing.)
- Cover surrounding areas that are not intended to be sealed.
- Spray Sealer onto the stone and saturate the entire surface. (Outer edges may dry quicker.)
- When surface begins to dry within 3-5 minutes, wet the surface again with the sealer. (This will allow the sealer to properly
penetrate and cure.)
- After ONE HOUR, wipe of excess sealer from the surface with a clean and dry white terry cloth towel.
- If excess dries on the surface, spray more sealer onto the surface and wipe off immediately with a clean dry terry cloth
towel. For large stone floors, excess can be buffed off with a clean white buffing pad or an all cloth bonnet pad.
*Floor
surfaces may be walked on 4 hours after application. *For best curing results, keep surface dry for 24- 48 hours after
application.
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How often should the cleaner/sealer/polish be used?
The Stone-X™ can be used on a daily to weekly basis. It can be used daily to penetrate and dissolve oil and grease residues, removing
streaks from surfaces.
We recommend using Strongman-W™ to be used twice a year, or any time the surface has been scoured with an abrasive material. Treated surfaces become more
durable and less slippery. Continued use also prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on interior and exterior stone
and ceramic surfaces.
Polish-X Countertop Polish™ can be used weekly. Polish-X™ helps to prevent the stone from etching and burning from spills
of perfume, alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, juices, as well as preventing glass rings from forming.
Can Stone-X™ Countertop Cleaner remove stains?
Stone-X™ cleaner is a surface cleaner, it is not
for removal of stains that have been absorbed, or have already entered the stone. Stain-X™ Poultice Powder is available for stain removal purposes. The key to stain removal is to properly identify what the stain is so that the proper
poultice can be used (what kind of stain, how long surface has been stained, etc.). Keep in mind that Recommended Care and
Maintenance should start as soon as surfaces are installed.
Stains that have entered the stone due to the surfaces not being properly sealed before use, should be removed prior to
following the Felixchem Recommended Care and Maintenance.
How do these products compare to other similar products? How is it any better?
Natural stones are sensitive
to alkali and acidic cleaners such as all-purpose and industrial cleaners. Non-specialized cleaners can cause deterioration
and corrosion of the bonding agents within the stone's crystalline structure.
Stone-X™ Countertop Cleaner: |
- ph7 balanced formula - does not register any alkalis, acids or abrasives
- ready-to-use (no mixing required)
- leaves surfaces streak-free
- effectively cleans by penetrating and dissolving oil and greasy residues
- safe to use on food handling surfaces
Mineral surfaces are porous and act like a sponge in the presence of moisture and liquids. Without proper sealing, oil,
dirt, acidic and alkali liquids, can infiltrate into the stone causing corrosion, staining, and discoloring. |
Strongman-W™ Stone Sealer: |
- penetrates, protects and bonds to the interior of the stone's surface, thus preventing contaminants from being absorbed
- allows stone to breath and release moisture vapors while acting as an excellent grout release
- exceeds ADA standards for slip resistance, UL Classified for Slip resistance. Over time and usage, treated surfaces become
more durable and less slippery.
- prevents growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on the interior and exterior of stone and ceramic surfaces
Your
natural stone is a valuable investment, therefore show it off! Keep it polished at the same time you provide protection to
the surface. |
Polish-X™ Countertop Polish: |
- provides a protective coating which polishes and enhances the brilliant colors of natural stone
- non-acidic, does not alter the crystalline structure of the stone
- safe on food handling surfaces
- allows the stone to release natural stone moisture vapors
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Can I use this product in cleaning grease-spattered surfaces?
Yes, Stone-X™ contains a unique ingredient that penetrates and dissolves oil and grease residues from stone in kitchens.
Why won't streaks come off after I've sealed my surface?
The haze you are seeing can be removed easily. Reapply
just a small amount of Strongman-W™ with a clean, dry, white terry cloth over the haze in order to reactivate the sealer. Wipe off.
Is the Strongman-W™ safe to use on food handling surfaces?
As the Sealer provides this protection, it remains
safe for food handling surfaces. Flouropolymer, the main ingredient is the same used to coat pots and pans. It prevents liquid
and dirt from sticking or penetrating through the surface unless it is scratched. Our product is such that it does not coat
the food surface area, rather, it absorbs into the stone and attaches directly to the stone.
Which products should I use for floor surfaces?
You may certainly use Stone-X™ or Strongman-W™ for stone floors. In fact, surfaces treated with the sealer become more durable and less slippery. Strongman Sealer™
exceeds ADA standards for slip resistance and is UL Classified for Slip Resistance. We do not recommend using Polish-X™ on floors.