Concrete polishing is a complex multi-step procedure by which a concrete slab is polished, chemically ground and honed to bring the surface of a concrete slab to its best possible level of aesthetic appearance. The first step in this process of polishing concrete is the removal of lime and fine topsoil from the concrete. This helps in the grinding of the concrete so that it becomes even. The next step is the mechanical preparation for polishing concrete.
Concrete polishing is a multi-step procedure by which a concrete floor surface is chemically Ground, honed and Polished with bonded abrasive particles in order to remove the surface of a concrete slab. Afterward, it is further refined with every cut to attain a specific degree of look. This refining process of polishing the concrete is termed as Chemical Polishing or Masseset. The honing or cutting of the concrete is carried out by using steel bars that are shaped like a scissor or sandpaper with sharp edges.
The honed surface of the concrete after being manually polished is referred to as mechanically ground concrete. In other words, it signifies that the concrete has been manually polished and is thus honed to a certain degree of its physical property. The concrete floor polishing process of Chemical Polishing is performed through mechanical methods. They include grinding, and shaving but the final product left is much more superior than that of honed concrete.
The third step in the polish or coating process is Refinishing. This is the most important step in the entire polishing cycle. This step involves the application of sealer to the concrete. In fact, there are three types of sealer that contractors can use for the purpose of coating concrete. The simplest is the water-based sealer. It is very economical as well as easy to apply on concrete.
However, it proves to be ineffective on surfaces that are already in a poor condition. Another type is the Oil-based penetrating sealer that contains an asphalt compound that penetrates the surface of the concrete and sticks on to it. This type of sealer is also effective in removing stains but proves to be less durable. And the last one is the water-soluble penetrating sealer that is able to adhere to any surface on the concrete.
Once the polishing of concrete substrate has been completed, it is now time for the finishing process known as coating. This is where all the shine and sparkle of the polished concrete come back to life. During this step, water and friction are eliminated as the two substances have no effect on the surface of the material. All that remains is sheer beauty!
When the polishing of concrete coatings is complete, you will have to make sure that there is minimal friction between the concrete and the grinding wheel while the grinding operation is going on. Otherwise, the surface will become uneven. In order for minimal friction to remain, the floors need to be heated before they are put to the grinding process. This makes the floors weather proof, which is very important to do for concrete surfaces.
Polishing of concrete will always remain incomplete without the use of chemical substances like lime, soda ash, limestone, or sand. These substances not only polish the floor but also give it a very shiny aspect that lures visitors. And that’s why you see honing, refinishing, and coating services being offered by almost every building contractor.
There are basically two types of concrete polishing processes – single-step operation and multi-step operation. In the first type, abrasive materials are used to remove the surface scratches and stains, which are then sent through a grinding machine. The final product is then compressed into powder form so that the desired level of shine can be achieved. But in the multi-step operation, a series of abrasive materials are used for the polishing job. These are then ground down until they become fine particles that will not affect the surface’s texture or luster.
When you hire professional Concrete Contractors Sacramento, you should ask them about the benefits of using the multi-step process. Usually, they opt to go with a film thickness that is lower than that of other types of concrete polishing to keep the grinding motion from wearing down the surface too quickly. They may also use a film thickness of two microns or less so that the grinding wheel doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve the desired results. If you want to go with a film thickness that is higher than that of most other kinds of floors, then they suggest that you install diamond-tipped grinders to increase the strength of the grinding action.
But the best feature of this kind of coating is that it requires far less maintenance than the typical abrasive coatings. Instead of regular sweeping and dusting, you just need to wipe away the aggregates using a damp mop. This is because the surface is already very lightly covered with the film. With this kind of finish, you can really save on time and effort, making it perfect for do-it-yourself homeowners who don’t have time to invest in polishing their floors.