Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Concrete Polishing Tools

By Mercie Hallow

The art of concrete polishing involves at first a grinding process that reveals a smoother concrete surface. The smooth concrete surface then is topped and sealed with a sealant and coated with epoxy coating to achieve gloss and luster that is just so fantastic. It is indeed very agreeable that polished concrete is more and more becoming a choice for concrete flooring because of its aesthetic appeal and benefits.

As for concrete polishing, there are numerous tools available to be able to achieve it successfully. These tools are always present in a concrete polishers toolkit for they serve specific functions and purposes. One such tool is the concrete grinder which grinds down the concrete surface to make it smooth. After the grinding method the surface is usually finished with a sealant and an epoxy coating to make it shiny and look brand new.

Concrete grinders have interchangeable discs that are used depending on the process of application. Some discs have diamond abrasive stuck onto a metallic or plastic matting/ backing which thoroughly grinds down the surface of concrete. This disc is usually used for first application after which a finer disc is use to smoothen the surface until a fine surface is achieved. After the grinding process a sealant or epoxy coating is usually added onto the surface to achieve the luster.

Before the actual concrete polishing the surface needs to be cleaned and thoroughly prepared. Dirt, dust and stains should be removed as well as any loose aggregates, chippings or cracks. Power washers are often recommended as a cleaning tool as they effectively wash out dirt and stain through the high pressurized water coming out of the nozzle. Some power washers blast a mixture of water and san particles to the concrete.

Grinders like power washers also remove stains from the concrete surface. They remove previously colored and treated concrete so the surface could be a good candidate for concrete polishing. Grinders tend to remove a few millimeters off the concrete surface to expose the aggregates. Exposed aggregates are also very good decorative elements as they tend to provide a marble-like appearance. - 15615

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