How To Polished Concrete Floors-2 Methods

In recent years, polished concrete floors have outstanding advantages due to their smoothness, environmental protection, hardness, good waterproofing, and ease of cleaning and maintenance. Residential and commercial properties and industrial spaces all benefit from concrete polish as a flooring option. Such as schools, warehouses, shops, factories, etc. Polished concrete floors are an affordable flooring option.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to enhance the appearance and durability of your polished concrete floor surface, then my 2 Methods can help you achieve the beautiful, shiny polished concrete floors surface you desire.

How To Polish Concrete Floors

Polished concrete floors According to different grinding methods, polished concrete floors can be divided into two types: wet grinding and dry grinding.

concrete polishing solutions

Wet grinding

Wet grinding uses water to remove impurities, dirt, etc. from the concrete surface, and then uses a stone grinder to grind and polish. The advantages of wet grinding are simple operation, high safety, and does not produce a large amount of dust; the disadvantages are long polishing process cycle and low grinding efficiency.

Dry grinding

Dry grinding uses a dry polishing machine to directly grind and polish the concrete surface. The advantages of dry grinding are short polishing process cycle, high grinding efficiency, and no water stains; the disadvantages are that the operation is difficult, the safety is relatively low, and dust is easily generated.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, please choose according to your own situation.

Diy Polished Concrete Floors

Polished concrete floors require careful planning, preparation, and execution to achieve high-quality results. If you are unsure about any aspect of the process or do not have the necessary skills, I suggest it is best to consult a professional or consider hiring an experienced contractor to ensure success.

Polished Concrete Floors Equipment and Tools

Concrete polishing equipment mainly includes polishing machines, grinders, grinding discs and polishing agents. Specific equipment and supplies are as follows:

Concrete polishing equipment and supplies are used to prepare and polish concrete surfaces, creating a smooth and glossy finish. These tools and materials are essential for professional concrete polishing jobs and can also be used for DIY projects.

1. Concrete Grinder: A concrete grinder is a heavy-duty machine that is used to grind and level the surface of the concrete. It usually features a rotating disc with diamond or abrasive segments to remove imperfections and create a flat and even surface.
2. Diamond Tooling: Diamond tooling is designed specifically for concrete polishing and consists of diamond-impregnated segments or pads. These tools are available in different grit sizes, allowing for various levels of aggressiveness, from coarse grinding to fine polishing.
3. Polishing Pads: Polishing pads are attached to the concrete grinder and are used for the final stages of the polishing process. These pads are typically made with resin and diamond particles, providing a smooth and high-gloss finish
4. Cup Grinding Wheels – Cup Grinding Wheels are used for precise contour grinding of polished earth floor surfaces. These powerful abrasive discs work wonders on hard surfaces like concrete, terrazzo, marble, stone and granite, helping to completely remove surface coatings, laminates and other nasty flooring adhesives and materials.
5. Buffing Pads: Buffing pads are similar to polishing pads but are used for high-speed polishing to achieve a shiny and reflective surface. They are typically used with a burnishing machine that rotates at high speeds.
6. Concrete sealer: Concrete sealer are chemicals that penetrate into the concrete and react with the calcium hydroxide present in the material. This reaction creates a harder and more durable surface, enhancing the polished finish.
7. Concrete Sealers: Concrete sealers are used to protect the polished concrete surface from stains, moisture, and wear. They come in various types, including solvent-based, water-based, and penetrating sealers, and can also enhance the appearance of the concrete.
8. Dust Collection Systems: Concrete polishing generates a significant amount of dust, which can be harmful to inhale and can also interfere with the polishing process. Dust collection systems, such as vacuum attachments or standalone units, help to capture and remove dust during the grinding and polishing process.
9. Safety Equipment: When using concrete polishing equipment, it is essential to prioritize safety. Safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, dust masks, and hearing protection should always be worn to protect against injuries and harmful dust particles.

These are some of the most commonly used equipment and supplies for concrete polishing. Renting or purchasing these tools from reputable suppliers is recommended to ensure quality and optimal results.

How to choose diamond polishing pads for concrete floor polishing

Type of concrete polishing pads

• (PCD) Diamond Grinding Shoes: used to eliminate epoxy coating on concrete surfaces, thick coating.PCD Diamond Grinding Shoes are not divided into grit size numbers, but special attention should be paid to the fact that it is directional.
• Metal Diamond Polishing Pads: Used for rough grinding of concrete floors in preparation for polishing. Grit sizes are usually in the range of 30-400
• Resin Diamond Polishing Pads: used for rough grinding, fine grinding, fine grinding and polishing of surfaces. Resin diamond polishing pads are widely used in most of the medium and large-sized floor grinding machines, with grit sizes from 30#-3000#, different grit sizes are differentiated by different colors of flannel.

How to choose and use concrete polishing pads

To understand how to correctly select and use the abrasive pad, first understand:

1.The flatness of the ground:

Artificial smoothing and leveling of the ground or loose, badly damaged old ground, need to level or eliminate the loose surface layer, need to use high-power grinding machine, choose PCD diamond grinding shoes, concrete bowl grinding, metal diamond grinding pads and other grinding power of the abrasive pads.

Concrete flat floor leveling is better, and you can polish a beautiful floor with metal diamond grinding wheels or resin diamond grinding wheels. The use of abrasive discs is also more economical.

2.The hardness of the concrete floors:

Concrete floor in the design and construction of the concrete used in the construction of the use of concrete labeling to indicate that we usually talk about C20, C25, C30, etc., under normal circumstances, the higher the labeling, the better the strength and hardness of the concrete, but due to the impact of a variety of factors, the labeling and hardness of the concrete is often not corresponding.

• Mohs hardness is less than 5, with hard metal diamond abrasives, durable numerical abrasives.
• Mohs hardness 5-7, with medium-hard metal abrasive discs, general-purpose resin diamond discs.
• Moh’s hardness greater than 7, soft metal grinding wheels, sharp resin diamond grinding wheels

How to make concrete smooth and shiny(step by step proces)

• Floor inspection:

Before polishing the concrete floor, the ground needs to be inspected to ensure that the flatness, hardness, compactness and surface condition of the ground meet the requirements. If the ground has serious cracks, unevenness, damage, etc., it needs to be repaired.

• Clean the floor:

Before polishing the concrete floor, the ground needs to be cleaned. You can use a vacuum cleaner or a floor cleaning machine for cleaning. Make sure the floor is clean and dust-free.

1. 【Remove coating】First you should remove any existing coating. The most effective way to remove thick coatings is to use 16 or 20,30 grit diamond abrasives or a more aggressive tool designed specifically for coating removal, such as PCD diamond discs
2. 【Preliminary polishing】Before polishing the concrete floor, preliminary polishing is required. The purpose of this step is to remove gravel, stones and other particles from the ground surface. Make sure the ground is flat。
3. 【Mid-term polishing】In the middle stage of polishing the polished concrete floor, the ground needs to be polished in the middle stage. The purpose of this step is to fill the pores on the ground surface and make the ground surface smoother. Epoxy and other semi-rigid fillers can be used to seal cracks and joints.
4. 【Detail polishing】Then proceed to the details of concrete floor polishing, using metal polishing pads with a grit size of 30 or 40 to start polishing. Then 50, 100, 200, 400. It is necessary to use hand-held polishing agent for polishing. The purpose of this step is to polish the details of the floor surface to make the floor surface smoother.
5. 【Fine polishing】In the final step of polishing the concrete floor, you need to use 800-300 grit resin polishing pads for polishing.
6. 【Surface protection and anti-slip treatment (optional)】In order to prevent the ground from becoming too slippery and causing slipping, anti-slip treatment is required, and anti-slip agents can be used for treatment.To protect the floor surface from damage, a concrete seal can be used to help protect it and make maintenance easier

How much does it cost to polish concrete

The cost of polishing concrete can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the area to be polished, the condition of the concrete, the desired level of polish, and the location where the work is being done. Additionally, prices can vary between different contractors and regions.

As a rough estimate, the cost of polishing concrete typically ranges from $3 to $12 per square foot. However, this is just a general guideline, and the actual cost can be higher or lower based on the factors mentioned earlier.

It’s best to contact local concrete polishing contractors and request quotes to get a more accurate idea of the cost for your specific project. They can assess the condition of your concrete, discuss your requirements, and provide you with a detailed estimate.

Here are some FAQ about how to polish concrete

Q: Which places are polished concrete floors suitable for?

A: Polished concrete floors are suitable for a variety of locations, including residential, commercial and industrial settings. They are often used in homes, retail stores, office buildings, restaurants, garages, factories and warehouses.

Q: How long does it take to complete polished concrete floors?

A: The time it takes to complete a polished concrete floor depends on several factors, such as the size of the floor, its current condition, and the level of polish required. Typically, small projects may take 2-3 days to complete, while larger projects may take longer. It’s best to speak with your contractor to get a time estimate for your specific project.

Q:Is it possible to polish an existing concrete floor?

A: Yes, polishing can be done on existing concrete floors. However, you need to ensure that the floor does not have serious damage or structural problems.

Q: Does polished concrete flooring require regular maintenance?

A: Yes, polished concrete floors require regular maintenance to maintain their appearance and performance. It is recommended to clean the floor regularly, using appropriate cleaning agents and tools. In addition, a protectant can be reapplied periodically to increase the durability and gloss of the floor.

Q: What are the price factors for polished concrete floors?

A: The price of polished concrete floors is affected by several factors, including the size of the floor, its condition, the level of polish required, the region, and the specific contractor. It is best to contact a local polished concrete floor contractor to consult with them and request a quote to get accurate pricing information.

I hope my blog is helpful to you and Thank you for reading.