ASTM D3758-95(2017)

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Spray-Buff Products on Test Floors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Spray buff products are utilized for the maintenance of polished floors. This practice is for the evaluation of a spray buff product against a reference product. The procedure is a floor test utilizing a rotary-disc floor machine. This practice as currently written may or may not be applicable for machines in excess of 350 R.P.M.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the comparison of the performance of spray-buff products on test floors against a reference material. Spray-buff products are to be used to maintain base floor-polish films. This technique is intended to be used on water-emulsion floor polishes with a floor machine not exceeding 95 lb (43 kg) in weight and with a rate of rotation of 350 rpm or less.  
1.2 Gloss, heel marking, soil resistance, and slip resistance of the spray-buffed test panels are rated in comparison to test panels similarly maintained with a reference spray-buff product.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2017
• ICS: 71.100.99 - Other products of the chemical industry
• Technical Committee: D21 - Polishes
• Drafting Committee: D21.04 - Performance Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3758-95(2010) - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Spray-Buff Products on Test Floors
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM D1455-87(2015) - Standard Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM D523-14 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2014
• Refers: ASTM D523-08 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D1455-87(2008) - Standard Test Method for 60<span class='unicode'>&#x00B0;</span> Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Refers: ASTM D523-89(2008) - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Refers: ASTM D523-89(1999) - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1455-87(2002) - Standard Test Method for 60&#176 Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish
• Effective Date: 30-Jan-1987

Overview

ASTM D3758-95(2017): Standard Practice for Evaluation of Spray-Buff Products on Test Floors provides standardized procedures for assessing the performance of spray-buff products used in the maintenance of polished floors. Developed and maintained by ASTM International, this standard enables objective, repeatable comparison of new or candidate spray-buff products against recognized reference materials under controlled conditions. The test methodology utilizes rotary-disc floor machines (single-disk type) with specific restrictions to ensure comparability-machines should not exceed 95 lb (43 kg) in weight or a rotation rate of 350 rpm.

Key Topics

• Objective Performance Evaluation: The standard establishes a method to compare spray-buff products for maintaining floor-polish films, emphasizing measurable attributes.
• Test Parameters and Criteria: Testing focuses on water-emulsion floor polishes, with the gloss, heel marking, soil resistance, and slip resistance of treated panels serving as the primary evaluation metrics.
• Test Methodology:
  • Selection and preparation of a test area, typically a vinyl tile corridor exposed to normal traffic.
  • Application of both test and reference products in distinct sections prepared with identical base polish layers.
  • Routine spray-buffing maintenance schedule and periodic performance assessments.
• Rating and Reporting: The condition of test panels is rated by multiple trained observers. Results are recorded and reported in a standardized numerical format, supporting clear communication and traceability.

Applications

• Product Development and Quality Control: Manufacturers of floor care products, particularly spray-buff polishes, use ASTM D3758 to benchmark new formulations and ensure consistent product quality against established references.
• Facility and Maintenance Management: Facility managers and custodial teams can reference this standard to select spray-buff products that sustain floor appearance, optimize cleaning efficiency, and maintain required safety characteristics (e.g., slip resistance).
• Procurement and Specification: Procurement officers and specifiers reference ASTM D3758 in contracts and tenders to standardize service levels and material performance for polished floor maintenance.

Practical benefits:

• Ensures fair and reliable comparisons between candidate and reference spray-buff products.
• Supports safer, cleaner, and more attractive floor surfaces by providing guidelines for best-practice floor maintenance processes.
• Aids in regulatory compliance, as the test procedures align with internationally recognized principles on standardization.

Related Standards

• ASTM D523: Test Method for Specular Gloss - Used to measure gloss levels on treated test areas.
• ASTM D1455: Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish - Provides procedures for gloss measurement specific to floor polishes.
• CSMA Bulletin No. 245-70: Method for Determining Slip Resistance of Floor Polishes - Used within this standard to evaluate slip resistance.

Keywords

• Spray-buff products
• Floor polishes
• Emulsion floor polish
• Floor maintenance
• Slip resistance
• Gloss measurement
• ASTM D3758
• Test floors
• Floor care standards
• Comparative evaluation

By following ASTM D3758-95(2017), stakeholders can confidently evaluate and compare spray-buff products, promoting higher standards of floor care, safety, and performance in a wide range of facilities.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3758 − 95 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Spray-Buff Products on Test Floors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3758; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association Test
Methods:
1.1 This practice covers the comparison of the performance
245-70Comparative Determination Slip Resistance of Floor
of spray-buff products on test floors against a reference
Polishes
material. Spray-buff products are to be used to maintain base
floor-polish films. This technique is intended to be used on
3. Terminology
water-emulsionfloorpolisheswithafloormachinenotexceed-
3.1 Definitions:
ing 95 lb (43 kg) in weight and with a rate of rotation of 350
3.1.1 water emulsion floor polish—an emulsion-based pol-
rpm or less.
ish in which water is the continuous or external phase.
1.2 Gloss, heel marking, soil resistance, and slip resistance
3.1.2 wax emulsion—a water emulsion polish containing a
of the spray-buffed test panels are rated in comparison to test
predominance of natural or synthetic waxes, or both.
panels similarly maintained with a reference spray-buff prod-
uct.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4.1 Spray buff products are utilized for the maintenance of
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
polished floors. This practice is for the evaluation of a spray
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
buff product against a reference product. The procedure is a
and are not considered standard.
floor test utilizing a rotary-disc floor machine. This practice as
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
currentlywrittenmayormaynotbeapplicableformachinesin
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
excess of 350 R.P.M.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5. Apparatus
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Floor Machine of the single-disk type, fitted with a pad
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
driver and a spray-buffing floor maintenance pad.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.2 Glossmeter—The instrument and the reference stan-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
dards shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Test
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Method D523, using an angle of reflection of 60°.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6. Description of Test Area
6.1 The preferred area is a corridor in normal traffic service
2. Referenced Documents
exposed to nearly uniform traffic over the test area.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.2 The preferred substrate is vinyl tile.
D523Test Method for Specular Gloss
D1455Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion
6.3 Divide the area into test sections at least 4 ft (1.2 m) in
Floor Polish
length and the full width of the corridor. Use one section for
each test material in addition to the control section.
7. Preparation of Test Area
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D21 on Polishes
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.04 on Performance Tests.
7.1 Completelystripthetestareaofdirtandoldfloorpolish.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally
Thoroughly rinse and dry before applying the base polishes.
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D3758–95(2010).
DOI: 10.1520/D3758-95R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Assn., Inc., 1913 Eye
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Street, N. W., Washington, DC 20006. Test Methods and General Information,
the ASTM website. Waxes, Polishes, and Floor Finishes Div.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3758 − 95 (2017)
7.2 Coat two test sections of the corridor with base polish. 8.2.3 Measure and record the time required to clean and
Maintain one test section with the test spray-buff product and polish each test section after each cleaning. Report an average
the other section (control) with a reference spray-buff product. for each cycle of five cleanings, after the fifth, tenth, and
7.2.1 Apply the base polish to the test section, using any fifteenth spray-buffing operation.
suitable and controlled procedure in accordance with the
8.3 Evaluate the test sections for visual gloss after spray
manufacturer’s recommendations.
buffing, heel marking before and after spray buffing, soiling
7.2.2 Wait 1 h after the first coat has dried to touch before
before spray buffing, specular gloss at 60° of the four center
the application of a second coat.Wait 1 h after the second coat
tiles in each test area after spray buffing in accordance with
has dried to touch before the application of a third
...