We have stripped, sealed and polished floors in commercial buildings across Sydney for over two decades and this guide brings together everything we have learned about doing it properly. Our team works with building managers in Campbelltown, Ingleburn and Macquarie Fields who need their floors restored to a professional standard without blowing the maintenance budget. If your commercial building needs expert hard floor cleaning that includes stripping, sealing and polishing, we deliver results that speak for themselves.
Strip seal and polish commercial floors guide showing three-stage process, step-by-step stripping method, floor type compatibility, and cost ranges
Understanding the Three Stages: Strip, Seal, Polish
Understanding the Three Stages covers specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. We break commercial floor restoration into three distinct stages because each one serves a different purpose and requires different equipment and chemicals. Stripping removes old coatings, dirt and contamination to expose the bare floor surface. Sealing applies a protective barrier that resists staining, moisture and chemical damage. Polishing brings up the final gloss level and creates the smooth, reflective finish that clients expect in professional environments.
We have found that many contractors skip the sealing stage and go straight from stripping to polishing, which looks good initially but fails within months because the unprotected surface absorbs contaminants. Our team follows AS 2311 guidelines for painting of buildings, which specifies surface preparation and coating application standards that we adapt for floor finishing. This standard helps us confirm proper adhesion between layers and consistent film thickness across the entire floor.
How to Strip Commercial Floors Properly
How to Strip Commercial Floors Properly involves specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. Every stripping job our team undertakes starts with a test patch in an inconspicuous area. We apply the stripping solution, allow the recommended dwell time and check that it dissolves the existing coating without damaging the substrate. Our technicians in Campbelltown have encountered floors with up to seven layers of old wax and sealer that required multiple stripping applications to remove completely.
We use a rotary machine at 175 RPM with a black stripping pad for standard jobs and a diamond-impregnated pad for stubborn coatings on concrete and terrazzo. Our team works in sections of 15 to 20 square metres, applying solution, agitating with the machine and extracting the slurry with a wet vacuum. We then rinse each section twice with clean water to verify no chemical residue remains. We have found that inadequate rinsing is the number one cause of sealer adhesion failure in commercial buildings.
After stripping, we inspect the bare floor for cracks, chips, moisture damage and adhesion issues. Our team documents everything with photographs and discusses any findings with the building manager before proceeding. We have saved clients in Ingleburn thousands of dollars by identifying substrate problems that would have caused the new coating to fail prematurely.
Floor Type Cleaning Comparison
Floor Type
Method
Frequency
Cost per m²
Drying Time
Ceramic Tile
Machine scrub + seal
Quarterly
$4.00–$6.50
2–4 hrs
Vinyl/Linoleum
Strip, seal & polish
Bi-annually
$5.50–$8.00
4–6 hrs
Polished Concrete
Diamond grind + densify
Annually
$8.00–$15.00
24–48 hrs
Natural Stone
pH-neutral mop + reseal
Quarterly
$6.00–$12.00
1–2 hrs
Timber
Buff and re-coat
Annually
$7.00–$14.00
12–24 hrs
Sealing and Polishing for Long-Term Protection
Floor Type Cleaning Comparison requires specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. We apply sealers in thin, even coats using flat microfibre applicators that produce a consistent film without lap marks. Our team typically applies three to four coats on vinyl and linoleum and two coats on concrete and terrazzo, allowing 30 to 45 minutes between coats for proper curing. We have tested application methods over years of commercial work and microfibre applicators consistently outperform lamb wool and foam rollers for evenness and coverage.
Sealing and Polishing for Long-Term Protection includes specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. Once the sealer has cured for 24 hours, we polish with a high-speed burnisher at 1,500 RPM using a soft white pad. This brings up the gloss level without removing the sealer and creates the reflective finish that transforms a commercial space. Our team measures gloss levels with a portable meter to make sure consistency across the entire floor. We aim for a minimum of 70 GU on a 60-degree gloss scale for commercial environments.
Cost of Strip, Seal and Polish for Commercial Buildings
Cost of Strip, Seal and Polish for Commercial Buildings addresses specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. We price this service based on floor area, existing coating condition, floor type and access requirements. For a standard commercial building of around 250 square metres with moderate existing coatings, our clients in Campbelltown, Ingleburn and Macquarie Fields typically invest around $1,630 for a complete strip, seal and polish. This covers chemical stripping, double rinse, substrate inspection, three to four sealer coats and high-speed polish.
Our team has found that buildings on annual restoration schedules save 20 to 30 percent per visit compared to those that wait three or more years between treatments. The accumulated coating buildup and substrate deterioration in neglected floors requires significantly more labour and chemical to address. We present five-year cost projections to every new client so they can see the long-term value of scheduled maintenance.
Choosing Products That Last in Commercial Environments
Choosing Products That Last in Commercial Environments targets specific protocols that we tailor to each facility based on its layout, traffic, and compliance requirements. We only use products that have passed our internal durability testing because we have seen too many budget products fail within months. Our team tests candidate sealers on sample tiles under accelerated wear conditions and only selects products that maintain at least 80 percent of their original gloss after 1,000 simulated traffic cycles. We have found that spending slightly more on premium sealers reduces annual maintenance costs by 30 percent because the coating lasts longer between restorations.
We also match product type to floor material and usage. Water-based polyurethane is our standard for vinyl and linoleum because it resists yellowing and dries quickly. Lithium densifier followed by guard product is our choice for polished concrete. Penetrating impregnator works best on natural stone and terrazzo. Our technicians reference AS 2311 coating application standards when selecting and applying products to check that compatibility and durability across all floor types.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stripping, Sealing and Polishing Commercial Floors
What is the difference between sealing and polishing a floor? Sealing applies a protective coating that resists staining and moisture. Polishing uses a high-speed burnisher to bring up the gloss level of the sealed surface. We always seal before polishing because polishing an unprotected floor creates shine without protection, which fails quickly under commercial traffic.
How long before the floor can be walked on after treatment? Light foot traffic is safe four hours after the final sealer coat. Full furniture loading and heavy traffic should wait 24 hours for complete curing. Our team schedules work over weekends for commercial buildings so the floor is fully cured before Monday morning.
Can you strip and reseal concrete floors? We strip concrete floors using diamond-impregnated pads that remove old coatings without damaging the slab. We then apply lithium densifier and guard product for a durable, glossy finish. Our team has restored concrete floors in warehouses, showrooms and retail spaces across Campbelltown and surrounding suburbs.
How do you confirm even coating application? We use flat microfibre applicators that produce consistent film thickness without lap marks. Our team measures gloss levels with a portable meter after polishing to verify consistency across the entire floor. We aim for a minimum 70 GU on a 60-degree scale.
How much does strip, seal and polish cost for a commercial building? A standard 250-square-metre commercial building typically costs around $1,630 for complete strip, seal and polish. This includes chemical stripping, double rinse, inspection, three to four sealer coats and high-speed polish. Fixed quotes are provided after on-site assessment.
What preparation standards do you follow? We follow AS 2311 guidelines for surface preparation and coating application, which specifies proper adhesion between layers and consistent film thickness. This standard ensures every stage of the restoration process meets quality requirements.
How many coats of sealer do you apply? Three to four coats on vinyl and linoleum, two coats on concrete and terrazzo. Each coat is applied in thin, even passes with 30 to 45 minutes between coats for proper curing. Thin coats bond better and produce a more even finish than fewer thick coats.
Can you match the gloss level to our preference? We offer satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes. The final gloss level depends on the number of polishing passes and pad selection. Our team discusses finish preferences during the initial consultation and adjusts the process to match your requirements.
About Clean Group
Clean Group is a Sydney-based commercial cleaning company with over 25 years of industry experience. Founded by Suji Siv, our team of 50+ trained professionals services offices, warehouses, medical centres, schools, childcare facilities, retail stores, gyms, and strata properties across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
We are active members of ISSA and the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA). Our operations align with ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Workplace Health and Safety) standards. We hold membership with the Green Building Council of Australia and use eco-friendly, TGA-registered cleaning products wherever possible.
Every Clean Group cleaner is police-checked, fully insured, and trained in safe work procedures under SafeWork NSW guidelines. We operate 7 days a week, including after-hours and weekend services, to minimise disruption to your business.
Hi, I'm Suji Siv, the founder, CEO, and Managing Director of Clean Group, bringing over 25 years of leadership and management experience to the company. As the driving force behind Clean Group’s growth, I oversee strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational excellence across all departments. I am deeply involved in team development and performance optimization through regular reviews and hands-on leadership.
