How to Make Stained Concrete Have a Shiny Finish
- 1. Clean the concrete well Sweep the stained concrete floor and remove stubborn residue with a mild soap and scrub brush if necessary. ...
- 2. Apply first coat of the sealer Pour the sealer into the paint tray, load the roller with sealer and roll the sealer evenly onto the floor. ...
- 3. Apply the second coat ...
- 4. Clean the sealed floor ...
- 5. Apply acrylic wax
How do you make polished concrete shine?
However, if you don't notice any damage to the floor, it's possible that you can restore shine simply by cleaning with a microfiber mop and a concrete floor polishing agent which can break down surface dirt and grime. To clean concrete floors, stat with small areas to ensure there is no dirt or grime left behind.
Can you polish concrete yourself?
The answer to “can I polish concrete floors myself” is yes, but only in a limited set of circumstances. DIY projects should only be attempted on newly poured slabs that are clean and in good condition. A matte finish is also preferable, as fewer sets of diamond polishing tools will be required.
Can you polish concrete after its set?
Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished.
How do I make concrete shiny at home?
For this, you need to put a small amount of elbow grease on the area and sprinkle baking soda over it. Then use a damp cloth to rub around the area to make the area smooth and shiny again. Most of the time, you will be needing to follow this technique to make the concrete surface look shiny and smooth.
How do you make concrete look good again?
3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New AgainPower Wash. Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt. ... Resurface. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start. ... Add Stain or Sealing Coats. ... Revive Your Old Concrete.
How do you manually polish concrete?
Begin grinding the concrete, starting with 40 or 80-grit, then gradually working up to 400-grit. Vacuum and mop the floor to remove concrete dust. Use a roller to paint the floor with 1 coat of concrete densifier, then allow it to dry. Polish the floor with 3000 grit sandpaper or a buffing pad.
Is it better to polish concrete wet or dry?
Dry delivers more shine However, dry polishing will always give the floor a much higher level of shine than wet polishing. It will provide a much higher level of light reflection and a classier-looking floor. Dry polishing will also always work better on a soft concrete floor.
How long should you wait to polish concrete?
Allow the concrete countertop to cure for a minimum of 10 days before polishing. Concrete younger than that is still too soft to polish well, and concrete older than a month will be more difficult to polish and will use up more pads.
Can concrete be polished by hand?
You can polish concrete by using a handheld, electric concrete grinder or angle grinder. However, you cannot effectively polish concrete without using power tools. Concrete is an extremely hard surface. Regular tactics used for sanding wood surfaces won't work for concrete.
Can you just polish concrete?
You'd be happy to know that any concrete surface can be ground back and polished up. This may be a less risky option to pouring a new slab over an existing one. The look of the finished floors will still depend on the condition of the slab, but it's possible to achieve a natural concrete look.
Is it better to polish concrete wet or dry?
Dry delivers more shine However, dry polishing will always give the floor a much higher level of shine than wet polishing. It will provide a much higher level of light reflection and a classier-looking floor. Dry polishing will also always work better on a soft concrete floor.
Is Polishing concrete messy?
'Polishing concrete can be time-consuming, especially for large areas. It can be noisy and messy and fine grit dust isn't something you want to be living with. Move out if you can, particularly if the concrete is in an area you need to access,' says the renovation specialist.
How to get a shiny finish on concrete?
To achieve a smooth and shiny concrete finish first requires proper leveling, floating, and troweling before it cures. After attaining a relatively smooth concrete surface, and once the concrete is dry, you can utilize either mechanical or chemical polishing methods to achieve a nice, glossy shine.
How do you make concrete shiny?
After you stain your concrete floor with the color of your choice, you should apply a concrete sealer. A glossy sealer creates a shiny surface, and an acrylic wax adds an additional protective coat.
How do I make concrete look polished?
Grind with a 150-grit metal-bonded diamond (or finer, if desired). Apply a chemical hardener to densify the concrete. Polish with a 100- or 200-grit resin-bond diamond, or a combination of the two. Polish with a 400-grit resin-bond diamond.
Is polished concrete slippery?
Is polished concrete slippery? Generally speaking, it is no more slippery than other hard flooring surfaces. Add water to it though and like any other hard surface it will be slippery. As a general rule Mechanically Polished Concrete is slip resistant – but like many other flooring options it will be slippery when wet.
What is the best finish for concrete floors?
Acid Stain. An acid stain for concrete floor has a very bold look, recognizable by its mottled appearance and highly variegated finish.
What tools do you need to polish concrete?
The most essential equipment required for a perfect concrete polished floor are:
What is the smoothest concrete mix?
I suggest using an aggregate free Portland cement and sand (or silica powder if its available). The ratio is typically 1 part cement to 3 parts sand and water of course. The trick to getting a smooth final surface starts after its poured and before it sets.
What is the process of polishing concrete?
You must clean and patch the surface, grind it smooth with several passes of a concrete grinder, buff it to bring out the shine, and apply a sealer to protect your work. Note that while there are some similarities to polishing a concrete countertop, this article focuses on polishing concrete floor surfaces.
How to test concrete for scratches?
Test the concrete with MOHS hardness picks before renting a grinder. Choose a representative area of the concrete, hold the #9 pick like a pencil, and apply the same pressure you would to draw a roughly 2 in (5.1 cm) pencil line on the concrete. Look and feel for a scratch.
How many grits should a concrete grinder be?
The set of concrete grinding discs that come with the grinder should range from about 40-grit to 3000-grit. If given the option, choose a set of grinding discs that specifically suits either soft, medium, or hard concrete (based on your MOHS testing).
How to use a 40 grit disc?
Grind the surface in half-circle motions with a 40- or 80-grit disc. Attach the disc according to the grinder’s instructions. To remove sealer, stain, or other contaminants that wouldn't wash off, start with a 40-grit grinding disc. Otherwise, use the 80-grit disc. Turn on the grinder and use the handle to turn the disc back and forth in half circles while slowly moving forward. Go slowly and work over the surface evenly.
What to wear when handling a grinder?
Put on protective gear before handling the grinder. Wear a dust mask, thick gloves, safety goggles, and ear plugs. The grinder is loud, creates a lot of dust, and can cause serious injury if used improperly. Therefore, consider the user’s manual to be another piece of required safety equipment.
What is the hardness of concrete?
If, for example, the #7 pick scratches the concrete but the #6 pick doesn’t, estimate that the concrete has a MOHS (Measurement of Hardness Scale) rating of 6.5. The higher the number, the harder the concrete.
What is the best way to clean a stain?
Never mix any of these. Use the same cleaning process as before, but be sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear. Keep the area well-ventilated, too.
What is a high shine concrete floor?
A concrete floor with a high shine is functional, durable and attractive. A concrete floor with a high shine is functional, durable and attractive. But when the gleam begins to go, the decorated or polished concrete flooring can make a room or commercial space seem dingy and dated. If the sheen has been chipped away by the scuffling of shoes, ...
What to use to fill cracks in concrete?
Fill any divots or snaking cracks with an epoxy concrete filler. If the cracks are wide, you'll need an epoxy with a hardener and sand to ensure the stability of the concrete flooring.
How to get scuff marks off of a car?
For high-traffic areas and heavy scuff marks, you'll need to put down the mop and put in a little elbow grease. Sprinkle about a quarter cup of baking soda on a damp cloth and scrub the scuff marks from the outside toward the middle.
Can you run a concrete smoother machine over a new floor?
Run a concrete smoother machine over the flooring so that it can accept the new coat of sealant, paint, stain or dye.
Can you polish concrete?
Whether it just needs a quick clean or serious repairing and sealing, polishing concrete flooring can be a relatively simple process with the right products, tools and accessories.
Can you use bleach on concrete?
Don't use bleach, ammonia, acid-based cleaners like lemon juice or vinegar, or other harsh or abrasive cleaners. Wire scrub brushes can scratch the surface of the concrete. Mild vegetable-based soap and warm water should be enough for regular deep cleaning.
Do you use commercial cleaner on polished concrete?
Do use a commercial cleaner if polished concrete flooring that needs a deep clean to remove settled-in dirt.
What is the best way to get the shinest surface?
If you want to get the shinest surface with the least amount of effort, opt for mechanical polishing.
Can you make a concrete floor shiny?
Before you can make a concrete floor shiny, it must first be smooth. And regardless of what your desired final look may be – a smooth surface makes all the difference.
Can you finish concrete?
DIY concrete finishing is not possible. The machinery required and level of expertise to hone the concrete the right way takes years to learn and hundreds of thousands of dollars in machine costs. Remember, the finish affects both the texture and durability of your concrete. Polished concrete is our specialty and we’re happy to help you with your next flooring project.
Can you use Ardex on a concrete floor?
If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.
What to use after staining concrete?
After you stain your concrete floor with the color of your choice, you should apply a concrete sealer. A glossy sealer creates a shiny surface, and an acrylic wax adds an additional protective coat.
How long does concrete network sealer dry?
Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly for 24 hours.
How to get acrylic wax to dry?
Pour the acrylic wax into a paint tray and dip the sponge mop in the wax. Wring out excess wax and apply two to three thin coats of wax to the floor, allowing the wax to dry an hour or two between coats. Test the wax with your fingernail before allowing foot traffic on the floor.
Can you stain concrete with a broom?
Also, one important thing to keep in mind is that traditional broom finished concrete, such as on a typical sidewalk, will naturally have a rough surface. You can stain rough concrete with a spray-on stain, and then apply a broom finished concrete sealer to this type of concrete to protect it, but you may not achieve a smooth, shiny finish. If what you want is a shiny concrete floor, consider polishing your concrete so that it is completely smooth. Polished concrete needs to be sealed and protected.
Can you apply sealer to a moist surface?
Do not apply sealer to a moist surface. The sealer can trap moisture and develop white areas of condensation.
Can you spray sealer on concrete?
If your floor has a rough surface, you may need to spray the sealer onto the concrete. You can rent or purchase a sprayer at many hardware or home improvement stores. Solvent-based sealers produce toxic fumes. If you use a solvent-based sealer indoors, provide plenty of ventilation in your work area.
How to make concrete smooth?
You can create a very smooth finish by passing over the slab two or three times, waiting for the concrete to dry slightly between passes and lifting the leading edge a little more each time.
How to make concrete more durable?
Tidy the corners using a smaller tool. An edging tool is designed to create level edges and corners next to the form, where your larger bull float or magnesium float is less accurate. This will create more durable edges as well as improve the concrete's appearance.
How to make a screed board?
Find the straightest lumber 2x4 you can find and place it across the barriers holding the concrete in place, or "forms". The 2x4 should extend at least a foot past the forms in each direction. This object is referred to as a screed board .
How to broom concrete?
Drag the broom gently over the concrete in segments. Overlap the previous segment to ensure full coverage.
What happens when concrete sets?
As the concrete sets, excess "bleed water" will rise to the surface. Wait until this water has evaporated and the wet shine of the concrete has started to disappear.
How much should a control joint cut through concrete?
These should cut 25% of the way through the concrete's depth. The distance between joints should be no more than 24 times the thickness of the slab.
What to wear when wading in concrete?
Wear tall rubber boots if you have to wade in wet concrete.
How to seal cracks in concrete?
Grind with an 80-grit metal-bonded diamond. Grind with a 150-grit metal-bonded diamond (or finer, if desired). Apply a chemical hardener to densify the concrete.
What is the difference between sanding and polishing concrete?
Polishing concrete is very similar to sanding wood. Machines equipped with diamond-segmented abrasives (akin to sandpaper) are used to grind down concrete surfaces to the desired degree of shine and smoothness. As when sanding wood, you gradually progress from coarser-grit to finer-grit abrasives. (In this case, grit is the particle size of the diamond.) The result is a glossy, mirror-like finish.
Why do people use polished concrete floors?
The clients chose polished concrete for a good portion of their interior floors for a variety of reasons, including aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and light reflectivity. Upon visiting some of their earlier polished floors, we noticed a few problems that ultimately had nothing to do with the quality of the work done by the polishing subcontractor, but instead resulted from the work of the placing and finishing contractor. When polished concrete started becoming popular, specifications were being written inappropriately, setting up the polishing contractor for failure. One specification we came across in particular called for a light salt-and-pepper finish (exposing the sands with no coarse-aggregate exposure), but made no reference to floor flatness (F F) or floor levelness (F L) tolerances. As a result, some of these floors exhibited unlevel, wavy surfaces with raised sections that made it nearly impossible to expose only the sands. These areas showed patches of coarse-aggregate exposure, which the owners did not want. The remedy for this problem was to install the concrete within specified tolerances. In addition, specifying lower-shrinkage concrete materials, combined with tighter joint spacing, would significantly reduce the amount curling the concrete would exhibit.
Why do you use water for polishing diamonds?
Wet polishing uses water to cool the diamond abrasives and eliminate grinding dust. Because the water reduces friction and acts as a lubricant, it increases the life of the polishing abrasives. The chief disadvantage of this method is the cleanup.
How many grit diamonds are needed to polish concrete?
There are not published standards for polished concrete, but it is generally agreed that the concrete must be polished through the sequence of disks ending with 1800-3500 grit diamonds to be considered polished concrete.
What is polishing process?
As with any other specialized technique, polishing is a multi-step process requiring use of the proper tools and equipment to achieve top-quality results.
What grit diamond abrasive to use to remove coating?
Remove existing coatings (for thick coatings, use a 16- or 20-grit diamond abrasive or more aggressive tool specifically for coating removal, such as a T-Rex TM ).
How is concrete polished?
The process is performed with large planetary head machines where the main head rotates in one direction and smaller satellite heads spin in the opposite direction.
What is the process of polishing concrete?
Some simply use the word “polishing” for the whole process. Each phase is then broken down into multiple steps, consisting of consecutively finer grit abrasives. Every step is refined to its purest possible form on a microscopic level from one progressively finer abrasive to the next until the desired level of ‘polishing’ is achieved.
What is diamond polishing?
The grinding tools are progressive grits of industrial diamonds in a bonded material such as metal/hybrid/resin often referred to as diamond polishing pads. Concrete is not considered well polished before 800 grit, and it is normally finished to either the 800, 1500, or 3000 grit level. Dyes designed for concrete polishing are often applied ...
What is a slab newly poured based on specifications designed for polished concrete finish?
A slab newly poured based on specifications designed for polished concrete finish will eliminate a significant number of variables and provide improved finish results over an existing finished concrete slab.
Why is polished concrete used?
Simply put, a polished concrete floor system transforms a porous concrete floor into a tightened surface, dense enough to keep water, oil, and other contaminants from penetrating the surface.
How long does polished concrete last?
Properly maintained polished concrete floor can last years. Refurbish needs a fraction of the cost of other systems, extending the life much farther.
How much does it cost to polish concrete?
For a fairly smooth floor, that requires only a few levels of grinding, $3 sq. ft. is the basic cost for a polished concrete floor. If the floor requires more in-depth grinding or includes coloring with stains and dyes or other special finish designs, then the price ranges between $3-$8 sq. ft.