Abstract: A method and new use of an aqueous composition including a surfactant and a buffering agent, wherein the new use and method include the steps of applying the composition to a surface with an acidic finish, etching the surface, and removing the aqueous composition. The removal may be by evaporation. A new finish may be applied to the surface. Methods are disclosed for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish to allow for the application of a new finish. Also disclosed are compositions for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish without complete removal of the existing finish. The compositions include a buffering agent configured to neutralize the existing finish, and a surfactant.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: Methods for spot-dyeing a damaged area on a textile employing a selected color loss filter and utilizing at least one of a primary color dye. In one embodiment, the method can include the following: inspecting the damaged area through the selected color loss filter; determining whether a primary color is missing from the damaged area by being able to view the damaged area through the selected color loss filter to, thereby, confirm that the primary color is missing from the damaged area; and applying at least one of a primary color dye, corresponding to the selected color loss filter, to the damaged area, while viewing the damaged area through the color loss filter, until the damaged area is substantially invisible through the color loss filter.

Abstract: This invention includes a cleaning composition, the method of use of the cleaning composition, and a new use of a composition. The composition includes an oxidizing agent with a reduction potential of greater than about 0.1 E°(V) at 25° C., and is devoid of an oxidizing agent with a reduction potential of greater than about 1.5 E°(V) at 25° C. The oxidizing agent may be a salt of a nitrate or nitrite. The method includes applying the composition to a textile and working the composition. The composition may be effective in cleaning urine odors from textiles. The composition may remove odors from textiles without bleaching or discoloring the textile, even if the textile includes natural fibers such as wool.

Abstract: A stain removing composition having a mixture of N-methyl pyrrolidinone and at least one solvent from the group consisting of 1-methyl-2-butanol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Preferably, the stain removing composition comprises, in percent by weight about 70-90%, N-methyl pyrrolidinone and about 10-30%, in percent by weight, at least one of the solvents from the group described above. In another embodiment, a method of removing a stain from a textile includes the steps of applying the stain removing composition to an area of application. After the composition has been applied to the area of application it is removed with a suction device or other type of absorption device. Water may be applied to the area of application after the composition has been applied to dilute the composition and help in the removal process.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: A stain removing composition having a mixture of N-methyl pyrrolidinone and at least one solvent from the group consisting of 3-pentanol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Preferably, the stain removing composition comprises, in percent by weight about 70-90%, N-methyl pyrrolidinone and about 10-30%, in percent by weight, at least one of the solvents from the group described above.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers an aqueous, chemically carbonated cleaning solution prepared by mixing a carbonate salt and a low soluble acid with hot water, such that the low soluble acid delayedly reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide before being applied to the textile fibers. The delayed production of carbon dioxide helps prevent the loss of carbon dioxide before the carbon dioxide is lost. The hot water increases cleaning capability of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: A matte finish composition exhibiting superior qualities of maintaining a matting agent in dispersion without significantly increasing viscosity, which includes a polymer, a water-based solvent, a matting agent and a crosslinking agent. The polymer may include urethane monomers. The matting agent may be silicon dioxide. The matting agent may be a fine dust. The crosslinking agent may include a polyfunctional aziridine such as pentaerythrito-tris-(?-N-aziridinyl propionate).

Abstract: A fluid mixing arrangement, referred to as a mixing block, for use in mixing two liquids like an acidic and a basic components of a cleaning solution, which is placed under pressure and sprayed through a conventional spray gun or nozzle at a reduced amount of pressure. In particular, the innovative design of the present invention provides the unique features of allowing manual and visual inspection of the various chambers, inlets, flow-rate or pressure reducing orifices, supply filters, and backflow preventing valves of the mixing block.

Abstract: A floor machine comprising a motor, a body, and a dust collection system. The dust collection system comprises a skirt, which is coupled to the floor machine and forms a cavity over the body and a floor treatment pad. The skirt includes an air channel device secured to a bottom edge of the skirt. The air channel device encircles the floor treatment pad and comprises a multiplicity of slots between a floor and the skirt. Jointly, the skirt and air channel device confine particles within the cavity. A vacuum for sucking the particles from the cavity creates high velocity air flow through the air channel device. Negative pressure within the cavity prevents particles from escaping. The particles are removed from the cavity through a vacuum tube into the vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention involves a solvent vapor transfer device for holding an absorbent pad, which receives and disperses solvent vapors over a lacquer-based residue on a textile. A solvent is poured or dripped into an absorbent pad portion of the vapor transfer box, from which solvent vapors are released. The solvent vapors pass through the vapor transfer box and concentrate in a vapor chamber over the lacquer-based residue and textile. As the solvent vapors come into continuous contact with the lacquer-based residue, the residue begins to dissolve and soften. Upon sufficient dissolution, minute quantities of the liquid solvent may be applied directly to the partially dissolved residue and quickly suctioned into an extraction vacuum. This process may be repeated as necessary to achieve complete removal of the residue.

Abstract: An improved method of removing rust stains from carpet and other textiles including application of ammonium bifluoride or other fluoride compounds to a rust stain. If the ammonium bifluoride is unable to remove the stain, an acidifying agent is added to the ammonium bifluoride to generate hydrofluoric acid on the stain. The unreacted hydrofluoric acid is then neutralized and removed along with the stain.

Abstract: A cleaning machine includes a body, a head attached to the body and movable relative thereto in a reciprocating manner, and a motor mechanism for reciprocally moving the head. The cleaning machine also includes one or more spray nozzles for applying one or more solutions to the textile, and a suction head for reciprocating movement over the textile to agitate the textile and to remove the solution(s) and soil from the textile. Preferably, the cleaning machine includes two reciprocating heads which move in opposing directions so that each head offsets the vibrations produced by the other. In such a manner, a cleaning machine provides reduced fatigue for the operator while achieving improved cleaning.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers, at ambient pressures, an aqueous, chemically carbonated cleaning composition prepared by admixing a carbonate salt solution, and an acid solution, such that the acid reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide coincident with application to a textile to be cleaned. Citric acid and sodium carbonate are the preferred acid and carbonate salt. In a preferred embodiment, urea is added to the acid solution to prevent yellowing and to improve cleaning ability. The compositions are preferably prepared and applied at an elevated temperature in the range of between about 140.degree. and 200.degree. F.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers, at ambient pressures, an aqueous, chemically carbonated detergent cleaning composition prepared by admixing a carbonate salt solution, and an acid solution, such that the acid reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide coincident with application to a textile to be cleaned. Citric acid and sodium carbonate are the preferred acid and carbonate salt. The compositions are preferably prepared and applied at an elevated temperature in the range of between about 140.degree. and 200.degree. F.

Abstract: A system for the mixing of two or more interacting heated solutions and the simultaneous application of the mixed interacting solutions to a fabric surface. The system is made up of a mobile supply base and an elongate applicator having a valved mixing chamber at the proximal end and a fluid distributing manifold at the distal end. The mobile supply base houses multiple containers, each adapted for holding and heating solutions to a desired temperature. The supply base also contains one or more pumps for the delivery of solutions from each container through interconnecting lines to the valved mixing chamber at the proximal end of the applicator. The applicator is an elongated support structure such as a wand. At the proximal end of the applicator, the valved mixing chamber is configured to receive and meter solutions from the supply base through the interconnecting lines into a mixing chamber maintained at substantially ambient pressure.