Vlm caused white streaks

[Bryce C]

I cleaned a factory office using vlm method recently and tried out Commercial Magic, which is Vacaway's high pH encap. I have never used a high pH vlm cleaning agent before. It caused this whitish streaking or discoloration effect that I have never seen. Aggressive raking improved it but didn't completely correct it. I fully hydrated the carpet fibers and scrubbed with a tan fiber pad, then went over the area again with a premoistened microfiber bonnet, all using a 175...

We've cleaned for this company 3 times now and they really like us, I never heard anything from the owner after this recent job, and I've always told him to contact me if they have any issues at all. So I am guessing the white discoloration went away after we left. Could this just be some type of white foam effect that takes a while to dissipate? Or...?

 

[SamIam]

Is it pile or chemical related old rx 20 and rotaries lifting and pushing two direction would create different shading on the pile.

Did they try and vacuum an area to see if it helps?

Lastly carpet fresh?

 

[SamIam]

Yeah did you use a swing machine or a push machine?

Never mind 175 that's what it looks like side to side pile if you want it even you gotta over lap more and direct the pile in the same direction

 

[hogjowl]

I have no idea what caused that. Since they’re not complaining leave it be. Just don’t use that product next time and see if it occurs again.

 

[Mikey P]

Looks like uneven application to me...

 

[SteamwayPro]

I cleaned a factory office using vlm method recently and tried out Commercial Magic, which is Vacaway's high pH encap. I have never used a high pH vlm cleaning agent before. It caused this whitish streaking or discoloration effect that I have never seen. Aggressive raking improved it but didn't completely correct it. I fully hydrated the carpet fibers and scrubbed with a tan fiber pad, then went over the area again with a premoistened microfiber bonnet, all using a 175...

We've cleaned for this company 3 times now and they really like us, I never heard anything from the owner after this recent job, and I've always told him to contact me if they have any issues at all. So I am guessing the white discoloration went away after we left. Could this just be some type of white foam effect that takes a while to dissipate? Or...?

View attachment 131579

View attachment 131580

Not sure what caused that but VacAway Commercial Magic is not the cause

Commercial Magic is a fantastic crystallizing encap

I mostly use it on trashed carpet usually found in rental apartments

But I did use it on that CGD and no streaks or discoloration

 

[Bryce C]

Thanks guys. I'll go for better overlaps and more even application in the future and see if that helps. I'll compare a different encap cleaner too. I think the different pile directions being forced by the 175 may have something to do with it, but it was very difficult to improve with even aggressive grooming so I don't know.

Did they try and vacuum an area to see if it helps?

Lastly carpet fresh?

We didn't try vacuuming the area afterwards but I figured aggressive grooming would do at least as much as vacuuming. What is carpet fresh?

 

[Mikey P]

Thanks guys. I'll go for better overlaps and more even application in the future and see if that helps. I'll compare a different encap cleaner too. I think the different pile directions being forced by the 175 may have something to do with it, but it was very difficult to improve with even aggressive grooming so I don't know.



We didn't try vacuuming the area afterwards but I figured aggressive grooming would do at least as much as vacuuming. What is carpet fresh?

Does your 175 have a onboard tank or are you using a sprayer?

 

[Bryce C]

We are using a multisprayer.

 

[Mikey P]

We are using a multisprayer.

I think that's your problem

And capping with a microfiber or cotton blend needs to be evenly wetted out during the whole process


Shower feeding through a tank is never panned out well with OP machines due to fling and corrosion of the bearings but it may work out with a 175.

The process is going to be much slower and when you run into tough spots you're naturally going to heal the machine which will probably create streaky patterns as well if you're not careful.

I'd be on the lookout for a used op with an onboard to Jet spray system

 

[SteamwayPro]

We are using a multisprayer.

What size jet was on the multi sprayer

I don't think you wetted the carpet enough

You would need a 8004 or larger

By the time your bonnet hit it, it was almost or already dry



If you can't get a OP with sprayer buy a WORX Sprayer. It's the best sprayer for VLM. I use it on all my VLM residential work

It puts out enough solution to properly wet the carpet. You can use the wand that comes with it or replace it. I replaced the WORX wand with Multi Sprayer wands. You just need to get the short WORX extensions

You can buy the WORX Sprayer from WORX off ebay refurbished like new. Not sure what the price is now but probably around $75

 

[Mikey P]

that 2 gal jug should be good for 300 to 500 ft at best...

I'll assume wifey is doing the spraying and you are running the machine. Is her mindset to use as little as possible based on the process being VERY low moisture?

 

[Mikey P]

with the more effective OP, you can stretch get closer to 800 to 1000 ft of dirty carpet done

 

[encapman]

"went over the area again with a premoistened microfiber bonnet, all using a 175"

There's the problem. Not enough moisture (as others have already commented on).

Running a rotary machine with a bonnet that's not wet enough can ... create distinct swirl patterns, overheat the fiber, melt olefin, distort the fiber, untwist cut pile, etc.

It's the reason why the mills have taken such a strong position against the bonnet method. It's not bonnets that are to blame, it's the lack of sufficient lubrication that creates problems.