How to Improve Old VCT Tile

Strip the Old Finish

• 1

  Strip the old finish with a 170- to 330-RPM floor machine. Place a medium-grade scrubbing pad on the floor machine. Some home-improvement stores and hardware stores offer these machines for rent.

• 2

  Apply a floor-stripping solution to the VCT floor. Work on one area at a time. The amount of floor-stripping solution you should use will vary, depending on the brand. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• 3

  Allow the stripping solution to work on the tile for about 15 minutes or as recommended by the manufacturer.

• 4

  Turn on the floor machine, and run it over the area of tile with the stripping solution and the medium-grade scrubbing pad.

• 5

  Suction up the stripping solution with a wet/dry vacuum.

• 6

  Dip a clean mop in a bucket of water, and get the floor thoroughly wet to rinse away any stripping solution residue. Suction the floor dry with the wet/dry vacuum.

Apply New Finish

• 7

  Apply three to five layers of a floor polish intended for VCT floor. If the floor is in a commercial building that has heavy floor traffic, use five layers of floor polish.

• 8

  Use a clean, flat-finish application mop to apply floor polish. Distribute it evenly in a thin layer.

• 9

  Allow the floor polish to dry for at least 45 to 60 minutes.

• 10

  Buff the floor polish with the floor machine and a buffing pad if the manufacturer of the floor polish recommends it. Not all floor polishes require buffing.

Regular Maintenance

• 11

  Vacuum or sweep the VCT floor every day to maintain its appearance and keep grit from settling into the floor.

• 12

  Scrub the floor when it's heavily soiled with a floor machine set on a slow speed and a cleaner intended for VCT flooring.

• 13

  Spray a mild wax solvent on the tile ahead of the floor machine to buff the tile. This restores the floor's gloss. Do a spray buffing whenever the tile begins to appear dull.