The main reason we paint or coat our surfaces is to enhance their visual appearance and extend their lifespan. However, your painted or coated surfaces require proper maintenance to keep them looking their best for years.
At OCD Painting and Flooring Inc., we pride ourselves on offering reliable painting and flooring services in The Villages. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to maintain your painted and coated surfaces to preserve their visual appeal and increase their longevity.
Give Your Surfaces Time to Cure
A newly painted or coated surface isn’t ready for immediate use. While it can be inconvenient, it’s critical to give your freshly coated or painted surface sufficient time to fully harden before walking or driving on it.
However, the time it takes for a fresh paint or coating to cure will vary depending on the type, weather conditions, and other factors. Generally, you should give your surface at least 24 hours to fully harden when the temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Curing often takes longer in colder weather and may not occur in the first two days after application if the temperatures drop below 45 degrees. If you get flooring or painting services from a reputable company, they’ll often advise on how long you should wait before your newly coated or painted surface is ready for use.
Dust the Surfaces Daily
Sweep your coated floors daily to prevent dirt and dust build-up. You can use mechanized sweeping equipment or a broom for the task.
However, if you opt for a mechanized sweeper, ensure you choose a soft nylon bristle brush. You don’t want to use a stiff brush that can scratch your coating, degrading its gloss.
Scrub Grime Off the Surfaces
You shouldn’t leave grime to accumulate on your coated or painted surfaces. While the frequency of scrubbing will depend on the amount and type of grime, you should scrub all floors at least once every week.
High-traffic areas like hallways and stairs often require daily washing, and areas susceptible to grease and oil also need daily attention. While a bucket and a mop are enough for the job, you can use an appropriate non-abrasive auto-scrubber for better efficiency.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Solvents, acids, caustics, and other liquid spills are a safety hazard, and you should clean them immediately to prevent damage to the paint or coating.
If left on the floor for an extended period, harsh liquids can discolor, soften, or completely remove paints or coatings. If your workplace is prone to chemical spills, consult with the experts at OCD Painting and Flooring Inc. for the best flooring options for your environment.
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Different substances require different cleaning products and techniques. Whether it’s grease stains, dirt build-up, shoe scuffs, or other contaminants, it’s essential to understand what you need to clean and which technique would deliver the best results.
Also, ensure the cleaning agents won’t degrade or remove the paint or coating.
Be Gentle When Cleaning the Surfaces
While scrubbing is essential to keep your floors and walls looking their best, don’t be too aggressive. The friction can produce enough heat to remove paint from the surface.
You should scrub the area enough to thoroughly clean it, but not so rough that you remove the paint. It’s also vital to avoid sliding heavy machinery, rough objects, and pallets across the floor, as this can scratch and gouge the top coat.
Repair Damaged Surfaces Quickly
Always check for small chips, cracks, peeling paint, and other minor damage to prevent a minor problem from worsening. You can use a small brush and leftover paint to fix small defects.
If you don’t address minor issues quickly, you may need an entirely new paint job down the road. You should also repair any damage to your floor coatings as soon as possible, as ignoring minor defects can result in more costly issues.
While you can repair cracks or damage in your coatings yourself, it’s best to hire professional flooring services to ensure quality workmanship and long-term results.
Avoid High-Pressure Washing
While pressure washing is an effective way to clean painted and coated surfaces, it can also damage your surfaces if not done properly.
Flooring experts recommend low pressure to prevent damage and be sure not to spray too close to the surface. You shouldn’t use this technique for interior surfaces as it can potentially damage the materials below the paint.
Get a Free Quote
Maintaining your painted or coated surfaces is integral to keeping them strong and looking their best for years. By following the tips in this blog post, you can preserve the integrity of your surfaces and ensure they last for decades before needing repainting or recoating.
If you need reliable flooring or painting services, OCD Painting and Flooring Inc. is here to help. We are a premier flooring company established in 2018, committed to providing high-quality flooring and painting services in The Villages, Florida. We specialize in interior, exterior, and cabinet painting, as well.
Our coating services include flake flooring, patios, driveways, sidewalks, and commercial flooring. Our highly trained team can install various UV-stable flooring products, including Duraflex, Sherwin, NPI, Epoxy base coats, and Polyaspartic top coats. We stand by our workmanship and offer a 10-year warranty for flooring and a 3-year warranty for painting projects.
Call us at (352) 290-6279 for a free estimate for all your painting and flooring needs in The Villages, FL.
