CLEANING

Cleaning after installation

Washing after installation is of essential importance for all subsequent maintenance operations. By performing proper cleaning after

installation, you will remove installation residues and standard work site dirt, such as for instance: mortar, adhesive, paint, work site dirt

of different types. After grout has dried, clean with a suitable detergent and always following the instructions for use and dilution provided

by the manufacturer on the pack.

a) If you are using cement-based grout, Ceramiche Marca Corona recommends the use of FILA DETERDEK PRO (or similar acid buffer detergents,

with the exception of products containing hydrofluoric acid) since this product neither emits harmful fumes nor has an aggressive action on

grout.

Apply as follows:

• Use FILA DETERDEK PRO diluted in a 1:5 solution (1 litres of FILA DETERDEK PRO in 5 litres of preferably warm water; yield: 1 litre/40 m

2

).

• Sweep the floor with care and spread the diluted acid solution using a mop or rough cloth for residential environments or using a motorised

brush with white or green discs (depending on needs) for large surfaces.

• Let the solution work for a few minutes, depending on how deep the dirt is.

• Use a green or white Scotch-Brite abrasive sponge or a scrubbing brush with nylon bristles for structured surfaces, or a motorised brush with

white or green discs and a liquid aspirator for large surfaces.

• Soak up any residues with cloths or a liquid aspirator.

• Rinse with plenty of lukewarm or warm water and repeat this operation several times until all stains or residues in the gaps of structured

tiles have been removed.

Should you still notice areas that are not perfectly clean, repeat washing but increase the concentration of acid. Refer also to the specific

information provided below.

Warning:

this operation may be aggressive on materials and components placed near the tiling, for instance thresholds, marble window sills, metal doors

and windows, decorations, etc. It is highly recommended to protect these surfaces before cleaning.

b) If you are using epoxy-based grout, it is essential to scrupulously follow the instructions provided by the detergent manufacturer since,

after hardening, this type of grout is extremely difficult to remove. In this case, Ceramiche Marca Corona recommended you to add 10% of

alcohol to the washing water or, as an alternative, to use undiluted FILA CR10 alkaline detergent (or a similar product). FILA CR10 must be

used undiluted and must be left to work for about 30 minutes. Then rub the surface with a mildly abrasive brush and rinse with plenty of

water.

Specific information:

c) After installing products with a honed, polished or metal-effect finish, the acid-based detergent you intend to use must be tested on a

small area before actual use.

d) Avoid using abrasive products on decorations and special inserts as they could damage the surfaces.

After grouting coloured and/or anodised aluminium profiles, remove any residues immediately using a sponge and a mild detergent to prevent the

grout hardening.

e) After installing structured or non-slip products, cleaning after installation can be repeated several times, using a higher concentration

of detergent and more abrasive brushes, since this type of product tends to withhold more grout/dirt. Correct cleaning will allow you to

resume the right appearance and obtain the best non-slip performance.

f) As far as products with a natural/matt finish are concerned, Marca Corona does not recommend priming/film-forming products since they are

not necessary. Furthermore, too much priming product, if not removed correctly, could withhold dirt more easily.

g) As far as used floors are concerned, before treating the floor with an acid product, remove any greasy or similar substances with an

alkaline detergent, such as FILA PS87 PRO.

USE AND MAINTENANCE

.(2)

Final testing of the tiled surface

Final testing must be performed by the end customer, at the presence of the fitter and project engineer. It consists of a visual check (with

glasses, if these are worn) of the surface, at a distance of 1 metre. Any effects evident only in sidelight or with the aid of magnifying

lenses or other optical instruments may not be considered as defects. Durability of a tile surfaces strictly relates to the manner it which

it is taken care of; the end customer has an important role in keeping the tile surface in good condition, both aesthetically and technically,

over time.

Some precautions, which also depend on common sense as well as on knowledge of the materials installed, must be observed.

Routine cleaning

If the cleaning rules covered thus far were followed after the installation, routine maintenance, i.e. everyday cleaning to remove dirt from

traffic and general use of the tiled surface, is not a problem.

CORRECT CLEANING is performed using a cloth or sponge moistened in a diluted solution of common neutral detergent for tiles, following the

instructions for use and dilution provided by the manufacturer of the product.

When the surface has a different appearance from the original one, “degrease” using FILE PS87 PRO an alkaline detergent and then rinse

thoroughly.

In particular conditions of use (relating to the type of detergent used and/or on staining agents that commonly come into contact with ceramic

materials) and environmental conditions (material installed outdoors), instead of degreasing, it is preferably to perform “descaling” with

FILA DETERDEK PRO an acid detergent followed by thorough rinsing.

Ceramiche Marca Corona recommends:

a) Daily:

• Remove dust with special brooms, woollen cloths or a vacuum cleaner.

• Wash with FILA CLEANER PRO (low-residue neutral detergent) diluted in a 1:200 solution (a coffee cup of product in 5 litres of water) and use

a cloth to be rinsed often in the solution.

If the surfaces are not perfectly clean, repeat degreasing and/or discaling using a more concentrated solution. The person in charge of these

operations must always perform a preliminary test on a small area of material. For large surfaces, preferably use a washer-dryer machine and a

neutral detergent, such as FILACLEANER in a solution ranging from 1:100 to 1:200, as requested.

During cleaning, it is advisable to reduce the use of strongly abrasive cleaning methods to an absolute minimum, especially on tiles with a

smooth texture (glossy and/or satin finish), as they can be more vulnerable to scratches and loss of brilliance.

Some types of dirt (sand, etc.) increase the abrasive effect of pedestrian traffic on the surface; therefore, it is recommended to keep the

floor as clean as possible in order to prevent the build-up of this kind of dirt taken if from outside. It is recommend to use doormats

designed to retain dirt and damp (fixed or mobile doormats depending on the destination of use of the area) and to position them to so as to

cover the entire length of the entrance

Extra-duty maintenance

In the event of dirt resistant to routine cleaning, use a suitable detergent for the particular kind of dirt (Table below)

Warning:

Avoid using abrasive products on decorations and special inserts as they could damage the surfaces.

After grouting coloured and/or anodised aluminium profiles, remove any residues immediately using a sponge and a mild detergent to prevent the

grout hardening.

TYPE OF DIRT

SOLUTION

RECOMMENDED DETERGENTS

FABER

FILA

Inorganic stains

coal, cement, plaster, mortar,

cement group, coloured grout,

tempera wall paint

Acid*

Cement Remover

Deterdek Pro

limestone efflorescence

Cement Remover

Deterdek Pro / Fila Ph

Zero

rust

Tile Cleaner

Deterdek Pro / Fila No

Rust

aluminium / metal marks

Tile Cleaner

Deterdek Pro / Fila Ph

Zero

Organic stains

linseed oil, oil and grease,

mayonnaise, mostarda

Alkaline

Oil & Grease Remover

Fila PS87 Pro

animal fat, vegetable fat, tyre

marks

Deep Degreaser

Fila PS87 Pro

beer, ice cream

Coloured Stain Remover

Fila PS87 Pro

chewing gum

Solvent Stripper

Fila PS87 Pro

ketchup

Oil & Grease Remover

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila SR95

coffee, Coca Cola, nicotine, blood,

hair dye, wine

Coloured Stain Remover

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila SR95

urine and vomit

Tile Cleaner

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila SR95

dirt in gaps

Tile Cleaner – Grout Cleaner

Fuga Net

epoxy group

Epoxy Cleaner

Fila CR10

Synthetic stains

bitumen, tar

Solvent

Solvent Stripper

Fila Solv

candle wax

Deep Degreaser

Fila Solv

wax crayons, traces of adhesive tape

Deep Degreaser

Fila Zero Sil

silicone, polyurethane foam

Epoxy Cleaner

Fila Zero Sil

ink, felt pens

Coloured Stain Remover

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila SR95

silicone or mechanical oils

Oil & Grease Remover

Fila PS87 Pro

vinyl glue

Epoxy Cleaner

Fila Zero Sil

varnish, paint, resin, nail polish,

graffiti

Epoxy Cleaner

Fila No Paint Star

Traces left on surfaces

by suction caps

Alkaline

Alkaline Cleaner

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila CR10

by protective wax

Gres & Stone Wax

Fila PS87 Pro / Fila

Zero Sil

200

2)

WARNING

The recommendations provided above are the result of laboratory research and years of experience.

However, the cleanability of a material can vary considerably depending on the installation methods, the conditions of use, type of surface

and environment.

Generally speaking, the greater the anti-slip features of a tile increase, the more difficult the cleaning will be.

The operator in charge of cleaning and maintenance must always carry out a check on a small section of the surface (possibly on a tile that

has not been installed) prior to any type of cleaning and/or maintenance operation. Ceramiche Marca Corona may not be held responsible for

events, damage or defects caused by particularly heavy use, incorrect installation, negligent cleaning or maintenance or inappropriate choice

201

of the materials installed for their intended use..

Warning

Irrespective of the washing method adopted,

thoroughly between one rinse and the other.

washing.

if the surfaces features cloth marks, wash with clean water, rinse often, wring the cloth

Never use too much detergent in water, unless the floor is very dirty and must be rinsed after

* Important: acid products can corrode marble, granite, natural stone and metal. Therefore, never use these products on decorations or inserts

that features these materials. STRICTLY FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE ON THE PRODUCT’S LABEL

b) Periodically:

Degrease using FILA PS87 PRO diluted in water (preferably warm as this increases its effectiveness) in a 1:20 solution. If descaling is

necessary, use FILA DETERDEK PRO diluted in water (preferably warm as this increases its effectiveness) in a 1:20 solution, followed by

thorough rinsing.

Warning

FABER CHIMICA

60044 Fabriano (AN) Loc. Campo d’Olmo, via G.

Ceresani 10, Tel. +39 (0732) 627178

e-mail: info@faberchimica.it, www.faberchimica.it

FILA INDUSTRIA CHIMICA S.p.A.

35018 San Martino di Lupari (PD), via Garibaldi 58,

Tel. +39 049 9467300

e-mail: info@filasolutions.com www.filasolutions.com