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Concrete Polishing FAQs
Why polish concrete?
Polished concrete has many advantages: it is durable, easy to maintain, cost effective, dust proof, Leed friendly, has increased light reflectivity and is slip resistant, can be stained, stenciled and engraved to achieve a nice decorative appeal.
What do I need to get started?
We recommend that you have a complete surface preparation system including: a floor machine(s), vacuum system(s), diamond tooling, chemicals (densifier and sealer) and dyes (optional). It is also important that you have the proper training to ensure that your get your project done in a professional, timely and cost effective manner.
Where can I get trained and certified?
Superabrasive offers 2-day training and certification classes every month at our location in Hoschton, GA. We keep the class size small to allow for interactive learning and in-depth hands-on experience. You will learn everything you need to know about concrete grinding and polishing and become a certified Lavina SPS floor contractor.
What machine and tools do I need?
Choosing the proper machine and tooling is critical for the success of the job, and you need to answer the following questions first:
How big is your project, and how much time do you have to complete it?
This will determine the size of the machine and vacuum needed, as well as how much tools you need. For example, a Lavina 20® Pro is great for small residential projects, like garages and patios, whereas for larger residential or commercial projects or time-sensitive jobs, you would need a bigger and more productive machine, like Lavina 25N® or Lavina 32® Pro.
How old is the concrete?
If it is a brand new concrete floor, you have to give it at least 28 days to cure. If the slab is old, you may want to check it for pits and cracks, and use a special product, like the Quick Mender, to fill those.
What condition is the concrete in?
The condition of the concrete will determine the initial grinding steps needed to prepare the floor for polishing including coatings, epoxy removal etc. If the floor is in great shape, you can start with 120 grit metal bond plates, but if the floor is uneven and blemished, you will need to start with a rougher grit like 30.
How much aggregate do you want to show?
If you want to show aggregate, you have to grind the concrete more aggressively (longer and deeper) than if you want to polish just the cream.
How hard is the concrete?
If it is hard, use soft bond diamond tooling like the Nato® and T-Bone® resin pads. If it is soft, you have to use a hard bond tooling like the metal bond plates.
How much shine do you want?
If you want just a honed finish on your concrete floor, you can stop after grit 220 or 400 but if you want a shiny mirror-like finish, you have to go through all the steps up to 3500 or 8500 grit. After V-Harr® Buff (8500 grit), the highest polishing step on the market, your floor will be sparkling.
Grinding wet or dry?
Most people use the dry process – it is faster and less messy but you will need a good vacuum to take care of the dust.
Is your project indoors or outdoors?
This will determine what sealer and dyes are needed. Lavina SPS Glow is for indoor use only. Water- and acetone-based dyes are also for interior applications only because color will fade over time in areas where the dye is exposed to frequent UV light. The Color Juice is ideal for concrete porches, patios, driveways, sidewalks and pool decks.
Do you want to color the concrete?
Color is entirely up to you but you would need the following accessories to apply the chemicals and dyes: microfibers mops and mop heads; air pump sprayers or a special pump sprayer if applying an acetone-based dye; painters tape and masking paper to mask off all areas that do not receive any color. Note: water- and acetone-based dyes are for interior applications only.
What are the electrical requirements?
Make sure you know what voltage is your machine before you plug it in the circuit. If you have a regular 220V machine, the Lavina Quick 220V system will help you put a 220V 20amp circuit in just about any house using 2 separate 110V outlets on different circuits. Never plug a 220V machine into a 480V circuit! If you have a high voltage machine you would need a special generator unless you have access to 480V circuit.
What are the steps for polishing a concrete floor?
Again, the steps for polishing concrete depend on what condition the concrete is in before you get started and how much shine you want. For example, if the floor is in great shape, you can start by grinding the floor with 120 grit metal bond diamond tooling - this will allow for proper surface preparation and evening out of the floor. Rougher grits could be used before this if the floor is very uneven and blemished. Next, switch to 50 grit resin pads, followed by 100 grit resin and 200 grit resin. After the 200 grit resin bond step apply Lavina SPS Premium Densifier to the floor with an air pump sprayer and a microfiber mop. Once the densifier is dry to the touch, continue on with 400 and 800 resin pads. Then switch to the V-Harr® pads - 800, 1500, and 3000 grit. To guard against stains and water penetration, apply a sealer like Lavina SPS Glow. Finally, for a mirror-like finish and extreme shine, burnish the floor with the V-Harr® Buff pads (8500 grit). Important: Clean the floor thoroughly between steps. This would allow your tooling to last longer and save you money!
Can I skip steps? It is important that you do not skip steps in order to achieve professional results.
How many square feet can I process in a day? It depends on the condition of the concrete and whether you are exposing aggregates or polishing the cream only. Uneven floors and floors with epoxy that has to be removed takes much longer to process. The grinding portion of the job is the most time consuming, whereas the polishing steps go much more quckly. Generally, a Lavina 16® Pro may process about 250 sf per day while a Lavina 32® Pro may complete as much as 2500 sf per day.
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