Floor Stripping Services for Commercial Buildings
Old floor finish removed down to bare tile, ready for new coats.
Layers of old wax build up on commercial floors over time. They trap dirt and grime, turn yellow, and hold scuff marks that mopping never removes. Floor stripping takes all of that old finish off, down to the bare floor, so new finish has a clean base to grip. It is the first half of floor stripping and waxing, and the step that decides how long the new wax lasts.
This page covers the stripping step itself. For the full service, from stripping through new coats of finish, see our strip and wax page. Strip&Wax.com is a national commercial floor care brand. We work in commercial buildings only, never homes, and we serve every state except California.
When Old Wax Has to Come Off
Cleaning stops working once the problem is inside the finish instead of on top of it. These are the signs that a floor needs commercial floor stripping:
- Yellowing or gray tint. Old finish layers have aged and no longer look clear.
- Buildup. Too many coats leave a thick, wavy surface that holds scuffs and looks uneven under light.
- Peeling. Edges near walls and doorways lift because the finish has lost its bond.
- Trapped dirt. Dark lines and shadows sit between layers, so the floor looks dirty right after it is cleaned.
- Cloudy finish. Moisture or cleaning solutions have worked between the layers.
Adding new coats over a damaged base only seals the problem in deeper. Stripping is the only way to reset the floor and restore floors that recoats can no longer fix. It works as deep cleaning and restoration in one step, taking out dirt and grime that daily commercial cleaning cannot reach.
Floor Stripping vs Scrub and Recoat
These are two different services, not a heavy and a light version of the same thing.
- Floor stripping removes every layer of finish down to the bare floor.
- Scrub and recoat removes only the worn top layer and leaves the sound base coats in place.
A scrub and recoat works when the base layers are still clear and bonded. Light scuffs and mild dullness point to a recoat. Peeling, deep stain, yellowing, or uneven buildup mean the floor needs a full strip.
How Floor Stripping Works, Step by Step
- Clear the area. Furniture and anything on the floor are moved out. The floor is swept so loose grit does not mix with the stripper.
- Apply the stripper. A stripping solution is spread across one section. It sits on the floor long enough to soften every layer of old wax, not just the top coat.
- Scrub. A floor machine with a stripping pad lifts the softened finish. Edges and corners near baseboards are scrubbed by hand, since machines cannot reach them.
- Pick up the slurry. The dark mix of old finish, dirt, and stripper is picked up right away with a wet vacuum or mop. If it sits, it can dry back onto the floor.
- Check for missed spots. Any shiny patches still holding finish are stripped again.
The right stripper matters. Our guide to floor stripper types explains how they differ.
Rinsing and Neutralizing
Strippers leave the floor with a residue that new finish does not like. If it stays, new coats can peel, cloud, or fail to harden.
- The floor is rinsed with clean water, often more than once.
- A neutralizer rinse brings the floor back to a balanced state.
- Rinse water is picked up fully so nothing dries on the surface.
Skipping the rinse is one of the most common reasons new finish fails early.
Getting the Floor Ready for New Finish
New finish needs a floor that is bare, clean, and fully dry. Floor finish is water based, so moisture left under it turns it white or hazy.
- The floor is left to dry completely before the first coat.
- Room temperature and airflow change how fast it dries. If the heat or air turns off at night, let us know.
- Dust and debris are cleared one more time just before finish goes down.
Once the floor is ready, new coats of wax go down one thin layer at a time. That part of the job is covered on our strip and wax page.
Commercial Flooring Types That Can and Cannot Be Stripped
Whether a floor can be stripped depends on what it is made of, not how tough it looks.
Floors that are stripped and rewaxed:
- VCT. Vinyl composition tile is made to hold finish and release it when stripped. It is the most common stripped floor in commercial buildings.
- Other resilient tile and sheet vinyl. These take finish and release it in a normal strip.
- Terrazzo. It can carry finish, but it needs a stripper made for stone, because harsh chemicals can dull or stain it.
Floors that are not stripped this way:
- LVT. LVT is never waxed, so it is never stripped like VCT. Strippers can damage its factory wear layer.
- Wood gym floors. Hardwood gym floors are screened and recoated, never waxed or stripped.
- Ceramic tile. Ceramic tile and grout get tile and grout cleaning, not finish.
After Stripping: Floor Waxing That Makes Floors Shine
A stripped floor is bare and has no protection. It needs new wax right away. Thin coats of floor finish bring back a glossy shine and a protective layer that takes the scuff and scratch damage from foot traffic.
To make the floors shine longer, plan what comes next. A maintenance program with regular burnishing, where a machine buffs the finish to a high gloss, and a scrub and recoat when lanes wear thin, stretches the lifespan of the new finish. That means fewer full strips and fewer costly repairs to the floor below. A customized floor plan for each area adds durability and keeps luster in high traffic areas like entrances and hallways.
Odor, Drying Time, and Scheduling
Stripping solutions and fresh finish both have an odor. Building air systems can carry it into nearby rooms. Fans, open doors, and working one section at a time help keep it down.
A floor can feel dry before it is hard. Each coat needs time to dry, and heavy carts should wait longer. That is why most floor stripping is done:
- At night, after the building closes.
- On weekends, when there is a longer window.
- During school breaks, when hallways are empty.
- One section at a time, so the rest of the commercial facility stays open.
Zero downtime is not realistic. Each area stays closed while finish goes down and dries.
How a Floor Stripping Quote Is Priced
- Square footage. The area to be stripped, not the whole building.
- Buildup. Thick, old layers take more stripper and more passes.
- Floor type. VCT and terrazzo need different products.
- Layout. Small rooms, tight corners, and shelving slow the work.
- Furniture. What must be moved before work starts.
- Timing. Night, weekend, or deadline work.
A short consultation by phone, with a few photos, gives the clearest quote. The scope and price are put in writing before any work starts.
What to Send With Your Quote Request
- Building type. Office, school, retail store, medical offices, warehouse, or similar.
- Floor type. VCT, terrazzo, sheet vinyl, or not sure.
- Square footage. The floor area to be stripped.
- Finish condition. Yellow, peeling, heavy buildup, or patchy.
- Photos. Wide shots and close ups of the worst spots.
- Access days and hours. When areas can be closed.
- Furniture and deadline. What needs to move and any finish date.
Use the form on this page or call 855-675-2181.
Floor Stripping Near You
We work in commercial buildings nationwide. These cities have their own pages.
Floor Stripping Questions
How do I know if my floor needs stripping or just a recoat?
If the finish is clear and only dull, a recoat may be enough. If it is yellow, peeling, or full of trapped dirt, it needs floor stripping.
Does stripping damage the tile?
Not when the right stripper and pad are used on the right floor type. Sound VCT comes back clean, ready for new wax and a glossy shine.
How long does floor stripping take?
It depends on square footage, how much buildup there is, and drying time. Large floors are often split across several nights.
Are floor stripping and waxing services booked together?
Usually, yes. Most stripping and waxing services are one job. The floor is stripped, rinsed, and given new wax right after, since waxing your floors soon after stripping protects the bare tile.
Can LVT be stripped?
No. LVT is never waxed, so it is never stripped like VCT.
Relevant floor care pages
Compare floor services, floor types, building types, and planning guides.
Schedule a Walkthrough
- Tell us the building type and city.
- Photos, square footage, timing, and floor condition notes improve quote accuracy.
- Remote video walkthroughs can improve scope notes before follow up.
Prefer to talk?