WOCA Wood Cleaner is used to prep wood floors before oiling. Wood Cleaner opens the wood grain to allow maximum oil penetration. Wood Cleaner also neutralizes tannins and floating color pigments to some extent, which can otherwise mingle with the oil and prevent areas of the floor from becoming fully water resistant and may later cause water to “spot” on the oiled surface.
-
Change the rinse water as it becomes discolored or dirty, especially with dark species. By keeping the rinse water clean, the cleaner solution will last longer. Change the cleaner solution also, as it becomes discolored or dirty.
-
If you miss any part of the floor, YOU WILL HAVE A SLICK SPOT!
-
Use a high quality swep mop, such as the WOCA Swep Mop, which has no loose ends.
Mixing solution should be:
Two gallons of lukewarm water + 6.4 oz. (just over ¾ cup) of Wood Cleaner.
Three gallons of lukewarm water + 9.6 oz. (just under 1 ¼ cups) of Wood Cleaner.
Four gallons of lukewarm water + 12.8 oz. (just over 1 ½ cups) of Wood Cleaner.* The unfinished wood floor must be sanded, cleaned and dry before applying the Wood Cleaner. Most wood floors should be screened to 100 grit, whereas soft species, such as pine and walnut, may need screening to 120 grit in order to remove all swirl marks in the wood.
* Mix in one bucket the solution of Wood Cleaner and lukewarm water. In a second bucket, pour lukewarm water to use as rinse water.
* Dip a clean mop in the solution. Wring the mop. The mop head should retain enough moisture to dampen a 4’ x 8’ section of flooring. Spread the solution across the work area, then mop the wet area as you would a vinyl kitchen floor. When cleaning Merbau, Brazilian Cherry, Walnut and other dark species and White Oak, scrub the wood as you would a very dirty vinyl floor.
* Dip the mop into the bucket of lukewarm water. Slosh around very well. Wring the mop head as completely as possible. This will remove dirty water and keep the mop head clean. Do not rinse the previously mopped area.
* Dip the cleaned mop into the bucket with the cleaner solution and wring. Prep the next section.
* Repeat the process until the entire floor has been cleaned.
* Allow the floor to thoroughly dry before applying oil. Most floors will dry within a few hours with good air circulation, low humidity and warm temperatures.
* With Merbau, Brazilian Cherry, Walnut and other dark species, repeat the prep process. This can be done immediately and is necessary to ensure that the floating color pigments are cleaned from the wood.
* To ensure the floor is completely dry, consider leaving the floor overnight after being prepped.
* Coverage: 2000-3000 sq.ft./liter.If oil is applied before the floor is completely dry, the oil could stay tacky and not cure. If the oil hardens, moisture eventually will try to escape and will be trapped under the hardened oil with mildew as a result! One person should be able to prep 1,000 sq. ft. within one hour.
