Monday, February 11, 2013

Understanding Concrete Polishing Methods

 Have you ever considered concrete polishing methods? If not, but you’re still interested and want to understand the methods, let us help you get educated.
  
Understanding concrete polishing methods is not rocket science, but there are still some things you need to understand especially if you want to do the job yourself. It takes skill and patience. Skill in accomplishing the well thought out task, and patience to let the newly poured concrete stabilize and cure.
  
The term ‘retroplate topical’ uses a hardening and sealing process approximately 45 days after the concrete has cured. The specifications call for Cure and Seal Hardener and are a chemically reactive penetrating hardener that will seal the floor.
  
Retroplate Grind & Seal still required the cure time of 45 days and they will not put down a sealer right after the concrete is cured like they do in the retroplate topical. They advise you to clean the floor with a rotary machine and scrub it with a high quality detergent. They also don’t specify the sheen level.
  
Retroplate Grind & Polish doesn’t require as much time, only 28 days for the grind and polish to achieve an 800 and/or 3000 grit finish. Then apply a hardener/sealer after polishing that will densify and seal the floor.
  
L & M Construction Topical is a method that requires the concrete to be cured for between 14-18 days before you even begin. That is unless you plan on the exposed aggregate is to be achieved. Grind before the 14 day. References a waterless system and a hardener and sealer.  Evidently they don’t use any machinery during this process, but they advise you early on to clean the concrete daily with a white pad.
  
FGS Hardener Plus Topical Mechanical Polish. This is referred to as “Concrete Floor Polishing and Surface Treatment.” You need to follow the directions on the product to achieve the results required. It also suggests that you follow the steps of 50-200 diamond grind.
  
If you want to see a few jobs that a contractor has done, contact a company on- line and view their work. Concrete polishing methods require a trained professional to accomplish the results. You’ll be amazed what an expert can achieve, and it looks so simple. Like anything else though, the difference between a novice and professional will be startling.
  
Don’t leave your concrete there without finding out exactly what the facts are. See how much the curb appeal of your property will advance with just a bit of polished concrete, chances are, and you might not stop there

Stellar Surfaces specializes in polished concrete NZ, concrete floor finishes and concrete floor polishing.