Concrete can be polished to create a glossy, smooth surface that improves any area. It’s a process that isn’t limited to experts; with the appropriate resources and methods, you can accomplish fantastic outcomes independently. You can save money and feel more accomplished by polishing concrete yourself, whether you’re updating the garage floor or adding a sleek touch to your living room.
We’ll take you through each of the crucial steps in concrete polishing in this guide. We’ll go over everything you need to know, from surface preparation to finishing touches. You can have a long-lasting, eye-catching concrete floor that makes a statement in your house with a little perseverance and cautious labor.
Step | Description |
1. Prepare the Surface | Clean the concrete thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Repair any cracks or damage. |
2. Choose the Right Tools | You"ll need a concrete grinder or polisher, diamond pads, and a vacuum for dust. |
3. Start Grinding | Begin with a coarse diamond pad to remove any rough spots and imperfections. Gradually switch to finer pads for a smoother finish. |
4. Polish the Surface | After grinding, use a polishing pad to give the concrete a shiny, smooth appearance. |
5. Clean Up | Remove all dust and debris from the surface. You may also apply a concrete sealer for added protection. |
- Features of polished concrete
- Mixtures for the production of polished surfaces
- Concrete laying
- Milling and grinding
- Chemical treatment
- Video on the topic
- DIY concrete grinding machine
- Concrete grinding – light polishing of concrete on a grain size of 100 and that"s it (no shine). Novosibirsk.
- 002grouting a screed after a vibrating screed with a grinding machine
- Grinding a concrete floor in a garage
Features of polished concrete
Some people draw comparisons between bases coated in unique polymer compounds and polished floors. It is important to note, though, that polishing should be chosen over the other two processing methods. The truth is that when a polymer protective layer is formed, the surface becomes inert, which causes water vapor to be retained. If we discuss polished concrete, then in this instance the base will be liberated from surplus moisture, raising the room’s pH. Furthermore, polished surfaces do not harbor harmful bacteria, fungi, mold, or chemicals that migrate.
It’s also important to consider the following additional benefits of polished and honed concrete floors:
- increased hardness and strength of the resulting surface;
- externally, polished concrete resembles marble, but is superior to it in impact resistance;
- the top layer of polished concrete, unlike polymer, is connected to the base to form a single monolith;
- thanks to polishing, the risk of abrasion is reduced;
Furthermore, polished concrete is simple to maintain and resistant to chemical effects.
These kinds of coverings are typically found in retail establishments, office buildings, warehouses, and industrial zones.
On the other hand, if the cement-sand floor screed is properly prepared, grinding and polishing can be done at home.
Mixtures for the production of polished surfaces
First of all, the concrete floor must meet the strength class B25, which is easy to achieve if you use Portland cement grade no lower than M350 with low water consumption. The situation is much more complicated with fillers. As a rule, crushed stone obtained by crushing rocks (for example, basalt or diorite) is used to prepare such mixtures. This type of filler has increased compressive and tensile strength (when compared with a cement monolith). Due to this discrepancy in characteristics, during operation of the base, the areas around the filler grains will wear out to a greater extent. As a result, the polished concrete floor will lose its smoothness and after a few years, bumps will form on it.
When choosing a composition for base arrangement, the following details must be considered in order to prevent such defects:
- The more high-strength filler in the solution, the better. In this case, it is worth giving preference to crushed stone, which should occupy at least 85% of the total mass of the mortar.
- It is best if crushed stone of different sizes is used for the mixture, then the solution will be much denser. The best option is to mix two different fractions of quartz sand and several components of gravel in equal proportions. However, too large grains (more than 20 mm in size) should not be used.
- It is recommended to add additives to the solution to increase density and strength, then the finished surface will be less susceptible to abrasion.
The best tool for mixing concrete mixtures for later grinding and polishing is a forced-action mixer. Pouring the solution is possible once it is homogeneous.
Concrete can be polished to a sleek, high-gloss finish and its appearance and durability can be improved by doing it yourself. By following a few simple steps, even beginners can achieve professional results with the right tools and techniques. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire process, from surface preparation to selecting the appropriate polishing tools and adding the finishing touches.
Concrete laying
It is advised to use regular concrete for the first layer in order to save money on concrete mix. Plasticizers, various fractions of quartz sand, and crushed stone can only be reserved for the top layer.
Although leveling the first layer’s concrete base is not required, leveling the second layer is preferable. In this instance, the top coating’s thickness needs to be at least 50 mm.
After the concrete has fully set and acquired the necessary strength, milling, grinding, and polishing are done (after 28 days).
Milling and grinding
In order to prepare the completed surface, you’ll need:
- a grinding machine (costs from 800 rubles) and discs with diamond or corundum coating (costs from 600 rubles);
- milling machine (price starts from 40,000 rubles, so it’s more profitable to rent);
- grinder (about 1000 – 2500 rubles);
- brushes with corundum coating (250-300 rubles);
- protective glasses and a respirator.
It is important to remember that milling might only be required in cases where there are noticeable surface flaws, like when discussing an outdated concrete coating. Furthermore, wave variations cannot be eliminated with a milling machine; instead, the surface is leveled by adding more filler. Using milling equipment also has the drawback of leaving fairly deep (up to 4 mm) grooves on the base after processing.
Practical! It is necessary to completely clean the surface of oil and debris before beginning any processing. With shot blasting equipment, this is the simplest task to complete.
Grinding is a less expensive method of removing the top layer of concrete from a house or apartment floor. A thinner layer, or rather hardened cement laitance, which is typically formed when pouring concrete, is removed from the surface during processing. Additionally, you can "open" the filler quickly because of grinding.
The concrete grade is an important consideration when selecting cutting elements for a grinder. You will need corundum equipment if you choose to save money and create a mixture lower than M250; if the grade is higher, diamond spraying will work. The discs’ grain size should be greater than 50 units for basic processing, 800 units for intermediate processing, and roughly 1500–3000 units for finishing.
Practical! Concrete must be completely dry before milling and grinding can be done; pre-wetting the surface is not necessary.
You can move on to the following phase of work only after using a grinder to remove any reinforcing elements that may be present in the concrete floor.
Chemical treatment
The polished surface needs to be coated with a hardener to make it as strong as possible. Because calcium hydroxide is present in the concrete monolith, it reacts with the other ingredients to greatly improve the base’s strength and hardness.
For this application, Xtreme Hard Densifier is the ideal impregnator. Nineteen liters cost 38,000 rubles. But because it’s a concentrate, water is added to it in a ratio of 1:4, and the result is 95 liters of solution. You can buy a hardener KEMA Impregrant Powder for 13,500 rubles for 10 kg of powder concentrate if you are processing a small area.
Once the impregnation has been applied, you can move on to the last phase of the task.
DIY concrete polishing may be a satisfying project that gives your room a smooth, long-lasting finish. You don’t need to hire professionals to get professional-looking results if you follow the right procedures and use the right tools. Recall that preparation is essential—a thorough cleaning and repair of the surface will have a significant impact on the result.
It is important to be patient during the entire process. Don’t rush the finer points; instead, take your time on every step, from polishing to grinding. You’ll guarantee a level and polished surface that improves the look of your concrete overall by doing this.
Concrete polishing can be a doable and rewarding project with the correct methods and a little work. The finished product will prolong the life of your concrete surfaces in addition to improving the appearance of your area. Savor the procedure and be proud of the handy work you’ve done!