| First,
consider the fiber bristle choices: |
| Bassine |
Bassine is a natural, high quality coarse
bristle material for economical general scrubbing applications. Bassine,
as a natural organic fiber, does have limitations when compared to synthetic
fibers for durability. |
Nylon |
Nylon is the most durable synthetic bristle material with
excellent abrasion resistance and bristle bend recovery earning its higher
initial cost. Nylon provides very good chemical resistance and is an excellent
bristle choice for general scrubbing. |
| Polypropylene |
Polypropylene is a synthetic bristle material with more
durability than natural fibers and a little more economical than Nylon;
highly resistant to chemicals, fungus, and bacteria. Ideal for floor care
programs that require general scrubbing, wet scrubbing, as well as stripping
and re-coating operations. |
Steel Wire |
Steel Wire bristles provide extremely aggressive stripping
for rough concrete at an economical cost. Note: Do not use with flammable
materials (fuels, solvents, thinner, etc.) as serious bodily harm or injury
could result from possible fire or explosion. |
| Tampico |
Tampico is a natural material from the Mexican Agave
plant. A soft to medium durable bristle that is highly resistant to chemicals
and solvents used for high luster polishing applications. Tampico is perfect
for any floor care maintenance program. |
Union |
Union is an economical blend of Tampico and Palmyra which
is used in general floor buffing or polishing operations. |
| Secondly, consider the bristle
stiffness: |
| Bristle Stiffness |
Bristle stiffness is a relationship
of fiber type and size. Synthetic bristles offer the advantage of various
sizes producing different stiffness levels. For instance a .018 Nylon is
very thin, only 18 thousandths thick, and therefore not very stiff. But
.070 Nylon is very large in diameter at 70 thousandths, and therefore very
stiff. Hence, the larger the number in front of the fiber type, the stiffer,
more aggressive the bristle. |
| Lastly, consider the grit size: |
| Grit |
"Grit" or Silicon Carbide
Grit can be bonded to synthetic fibers to provide varying levels of scrubbing,
stripping aggressiveness. A 36 Grit is a large size Grit and therefore very
aggressive. 500 Grit size is very small and therefore much less aggressive,
much like sandpaper measurements. Hence, the smaller the number for Grit
the more aggressive the brush bristle. |
