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Removing Floor Polish from LVP at Alina Residences in Boca Raton

A herringbone LVP project at Alina Residences shows why identifying an applied coating matters before deciding how to restore a floor’s appearance.

Why this was more than a routine floor cleaning

When a floor no longer looks right, the first question is what has changed. Is there ordinary soil on the surface, an added maintenance product, or wear in the flooring itself? Those are different problems, and they should not automatically receive the same treatment.

At Alina, the issue involved an applied gloss rejuvenating finish. Our work addressed that added finish on the herringbone LVP. Identifying what had been applied was central to understanding the job: removing an unwanted coating is a different objective from removing everyday tracked-in soil.

What Blue Steam completed at Alina

The completed scope was stripping and cleaning the upstairs herringbone LVP in Building 210. The project photographs show the work in progress, including rotary equipment operating on the patterned floor.

Scott’s account of the completed work described bringing the floor back to its original sheen after removing the applied gloss finish. That is the result documented in this project story. A new protective coating is a separate scope and is not part of the completed work described here.

What to ask before removing a coating from LVP

For a similar project, we recommend starting with the flooring information and the maintenance history. If available, provide the flooring brand, product name, care instructions, and the name of the finish or cleaning product previously used.

Ask your cleaner how the proposed method will be checked for compatibility, what a test area can establish, and how existing damage will be distinguished from removable residue. A floor photograph can help explain the concern, but it does not establish the flooring construction or identify the coating by itself.

Manufacturer guidance matters. For example, Shaw’s floor-care guidance warns that mop-and-shine and mop-and-wax products can leave a dull film and recommends neutral-pH cleaners for vinyl. That is a useful example of why product-specific instructions should guide maintenance; it does not establish that the Alina flooring was made by Shaw.

Plan the next maintenance step before adding another finish

A property manager should leave a restoration project with a clear plan for routine care. Keep the flooring instructions with the cleaning supplies, record approved products, and make sure staff know which products are intended for the installed surface.

If another coating is being considered, first establish whether it is appropriate for that flooring system. A glossier appearance alone is not a reason to add a finish. The desired appearance, compatibility, and ongoing maintenance requirements should all be considered.

Frequently asked questions