Can You Polish Concrete Yourself?

The polishing process improves the overall condition of the material. It gives concrete a modern, sophisticated appearance. This process surely requires plenty of physical labor and time but yes you will be able do it yourself. Polishing of concrete floor has three main steps, which are discussed below and cover all the important details:

1. Cleaning and Patching the Surface

Start by cleaning the surface with soap, water, and a bristle brush. Use warm water mixed with a typical household cleaner. Scrub the concrete carefully and then rinse it with clean water. Use hydrogen peroxide or ammonia for stubborn stains. While cleaning stubborn stains remember to wear protective gloves and eyewear.

After cleaning the surface, inspect the concrete closely if there are any damaged spots present before you start grinding the concrete. If cracks are present, repair them with concrete filler or patch material. If the crack is up to 0.25cm wide then use a concrete crack filler that applies with a caulk gun while for wider cracks you can use a vinyl concrete patch material. After repairing cracks sweep up any debris on the floor in the repair area.

2. Smoothing the Surface with a Grinder

A standard sander will not be able to do the job therefore you have to rent a concrete grinder which must have a set of metal-bonded diamond discs. The grinder’s range should be from about 40-grit to 3000-grit. You must wear a dust mask, thick gloves, safety goggles, and earplugs. According to the grinder’s instructions, attach the disc and start grinding the surface in half-circle motions. You have to go slowly and evenly on the surface.

You have to apply the densifier over the entire surface to make concrete less permeable. Finally, you have to grind the concrete with the 3000-grit disc which will complete the grinding process. Since the process of grinding the concrete produces plenty of dust, you have to vacuum the surface. Use a wet-dry vac to clear the dust present on the floor.  Also you can use a die grinder for your construction work.

3. Buffing and Sealing the Surface

Now remove the last grinding disc from your concrete grinder and attach a burnishing pad to it. Turn on the grinder and use the half-circle technique to go over the entire concrete surface with this pad. The burnishing pad will make the concrete notably smooth and shiny. If your machine does not have a setting for a burnishing pad then you have to use a low-speed brush-style buffer.

Now apply a thin coat of water-based or solvent-based concrete sealer with the help of a roller or sprayer. The air temperature should be above 10 °C during the application and for 24 hours afterward. After 2 to 4 hours, apply a second layer of sealer coat. The second coat should be thin. Burnish the surface with the burnishing pad or buffer for a glossy finish. Remember to wait for 24-72 hours before using the finished surface.

Conclusion

Polishing concrete is a multi-step process that requires the use of proper tools and pieces of equipment. To get the job done smoothly, the article has summarised all the important details that you must know. You can also directly visit our website https://www.proconcretepolishingperth.com/  for any expert advice and help.