Floor polishing involves a process of increasing the density of concrete molecules. In some cases, it can increase the hardness of the floor by nearly two times, reaching as high as a hardness level of seven on the Mohs scale. In addition, heavy equipment makes the floor surface much harder to scratch and damage. Here are some tools and materials that you will need for floor polishing. Listed below are some of the most important ones.
A concrete polishing machine can be rented or purchased. This machine uses diamond polishing pads as an abrasive. These pads come in different grits to give the floor a lustrous shine. It is important to use a high-quality vacuum when polishing concrete floors, as dust is generated during the process. A good-quality vacuum can save you time and effort by collecting dust.
A basic starter kit includes three abrasives for each grit level. The grit level depends on the aesthetic you are going for. For example, lower-gloss finishes can be achieved with 400-grit resin abrasives, while higher-gloss floors require an 800-grit resin pad. Abrasives are also important to polish the floor’s finish. In some cases, using a polishing machine with a buffer is beneficial.
Professional grade power tools are essential for many jobs. There are corded and battery-powered tools available for most finishing tasks. Power tools are also essential for mounting posts on poured steps or attaching sill plates to foundations. Countertop fabricators commonly use hand-held tools, and floor polishing contractors will use hand-held and walk-behind tools to polish their floors. Walk-behind tools are gaining popularity in large applications.
When you decide to invest in floor polishing Adelaide, purchasing the correct tools and materials for the job is important. The right tools and materials will ensure the best results, from the initial polish to the final polish. Here are some tools that you’ll need:
Dry polishing
While it is possible to use wet and dry polishing methods to achieve the same result, there are some important differences between them. Using dry tools will yield a better finish than wet, and a higher-quality surface will last longer. It may seem not very comforting if you never have polished quartz, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at the difference. Here’s a quick guide to dry polishing tools and materials.
A grinder is an essential tool for polishing granite and marble. Grinders feature diamonds and abrasives and are heat-resistant. When polishing with a dry polishing pad, you don’t need water to cool it off. Instead, you press the pad against the stone to expose new diamonds. While dry polishing is the most effective way to polish stone without water, it can leave a streak of colour behind. Softer stones should be polished using silica-carbide sandpaper.
Calibra grinding discs
CALIBRA’s grinding discs are loop-and-hook fasteners. They are great for floor polishing applications on concrete, wood, and other hard surfaces. The grit count on these discs ranges from 30 to 3000. They are highly effective at removing scratches but may not be suitable for concrete with a high gloss. However, they have a longer life because they are made from diamonds.
Chemical hardener
The process of floor polishing begins with a chemical hardener. Generally, this material consists of sodium, potassium, and lithium silicates. In addition, some chemical hardeners also incorporate nano-technology and colloidal silicates. Both hardeners react with the free lime content in concrete to create a denser, more durable surface. This chemical hardener is a necessary step in floor polishing and is used to make the concrete hard.
Lavina 7n Pro
The Lavina 7n Pro corner machine is a single-phase 3HP machine that works on 208-240V. It is lightweight, maneuverable, and designed for dry applications. The system can also be connected to the Lavina 1050 vacuum system. Wait about four weeks after pouring new concrete before polishing for best results. Older floors might not be ready for polishing yet.