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Trial Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate the eight products identified in the screening test using mechanical agitation.

Date Run:

06/12/2007

Experiment Procedure:

Eight products from the first trial were tested at full strength and room temperature. In addition, the client's current product was used at the recommended dilution (25%) for comparative purposes.

Twenty-seven vinyl tile coupons (3"x4") were coated with the Johnson Wax Show Place floor coating using a hand held swab. The coating was allowed to dry for an hour. After completely dry, additional coats were applied. A total of four coats were used. After all coats were applied, pictures were taken of the coupons using regular lighting and under black light.

Each solution was applied to three coupons and allowed to soak for 10 minutes. At the end of the soaking, the coupons were wiped to remove excess floor stripping solution. Each coupon was then cleaned using a scrub pad supplied by the client. Cleaning was performed at approximately 175 rpms. After cleaned pictures were again taken using both regular and black light conditions. Each set of three coupons were then compared according to the amount of removal to the other products tested. Rankings were made by three lab staff members.

Trial Results:

Only two products were found to not remove the floor coating after the cleaning process. One was the current product, Johnson Prostrip and the other was 1st Environmental Safety Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser. Of the seven effective products, three had odor concerns. These included Gemtek MaxiSolv, Fingerlakes Resineater and Graffiti Remover. The table below lists the observations made.

Product Observations
Pro-Strip Initial set of cleaning had to be repeated due to malfunction. The cleaning did not remove the wax; however the could be peeled off by hand. Two of the coupons had a gummy residue left behind.
SC-Maxi Solve Strong chemical odor.  Wax was initial removed from only one coupon. Equipment malfunction resulted in the need to retest. After retesting, the wax was removed effectively. There was a strong odor.
Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser  Did not remove wax, left a yellowish-brown tint on coupon, looks "dirty". Dropped from further testing.
Safe Strip  All wax removed, smooth, clean finish.
EP 921  Removed almost all wax, smooth, clean finish. Strong chemical odor.  
Resineater All wax removed, smooth, clean finish. Strong chemical odor.
Graffiti Remover  All wax removed, smooth, clean finish.  Could be scrubbed for <5min. Strong citrus odor.  
Pine Strip  All wax removed, smooth, clean finish.  Could be scrubbed for <5min. Strong pine odor.  
Amaizeing  One coupon had some wax remaining. All three had a smooth, clean finish.

Observer 1 considered the top six products to be indistinguishable from one another and ranked them all equally. The bottom three products were the same for all three observers. The top performer from two of the observers was Pine Strip. The ranking from the three personnel are listed in the next table.

Product Observer 1 Observer 2 Observer 3
Pro-Strip 9 9 9
SC-Maxi Solve 7 7 7
Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser 8 8 8
Safe Strip 1 3 2
EP 921 1 6 5
Resineater 1 4 3
Graffiti Remover 1 2 4
PineStrip 1 1 1
Amaizeing 1 5 6
1-Best; 9-worst

Success Rating:

Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.

Conclusion:

The effective products will be reviewed to determine if products can be diluted, how much they cost and the biobased content level.

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