Dry-Bright Floor Polishes

The production of dry bright or no-rub polishes has increased rapidly during recent years. At one time, the consumption of shellac in this industry was comparable with that of the pre-war gramophone industry, but modern dry-bright polishes are based on polishes are based on polystyrene/acrylics and synthetic waxes, with shellac wax added to the emulsions. Dry-bright polishes are essentially low viscosity emulsions which can be applied by spraying, brushing, or by wiping on with a soft cloth. These were formerly prepared from carnauba wax, emulsified with soaps, with or without other surface-active agents, by a special technique resulting in an opalescent emulsion. To this was added an aqueous solution of shellac in borax or ammonia. Shellac in addition to imparting its own inherent good qualities as a floor finishing material, also counteracts the stickiness of the wax film and improves its nonslip characteristics.