Concrete Counter Top Polishing

Grinding and Polishing the Concrete Counter Top

There are many possibilities for finishing the counter top. The simplest is to do no grinding at all but to simply slurry in any pinholes or voids that there may be on the top surface of the counter top and then to polish the concrete starting with a 200 grit diamond polishing pad.

The other option is to grind the surface to expose the aggregates (rocks and sands) within the mix. By grinding with a 50 grit diamond polishing pad the larger aggregates can be exposed. By starting with 100 grit, the sands can be exposed. It is a matter of taste as to what looks best. With a practice piece it is possible to try different styles in different parts of the same concrete slab.

If the decision is to expose the aggregate, start the wet grinding two days after the slab is flipped out of its mold. If the piece will only be polished wait for day five.

BE SURE TO DENSIFY PRIOR TO 100 grit pad, CLICK: DENSIFIERS

All grinding is done with water streaming onto the counter top. There are a few ways to accomplish this. If a water-fed grinder is not being used one method for keeping the surface water fed is to poke holes in the bottom of a large plastic container (a large vinegar container works well), place it on the counter top and feed a hose into the opening with the water trickling in. A constant stream of water will wash out of the bottom holes onto the counter top.

For exposing the rocks, work slowly with a 50 grit circular diamond pad attached to the grinder across all areas of the surface until the desired aggregate exposure is obtained. Switch to a 100 grit pad and repeat the process until the desired finish is achieved. Hose off the surface well. Slurrying can be done the next day.

Find concrete densifiers, stains and polishing discs: www.legacyindustrial.net

Epoxy Coating Tips

How to Install Epoxy Flooring

If you are looking to protect your floor surface, you should probably consider an epoxy flooring option. Epoxy flooring, or epoxy floor coating, can be used on many different types of surfaces including concrete, steel or wood. However, for a lasting floor surface, you need to be sure to make the proper preparations of both the garage floor surface and the epoxy floor paint.

You may be wondering exactly what epoxy is in the first place. Epoxies are polymers that use a chemical reaction to change from a liquid to a solid. They are ideal for flooring because they are resistant to degradation as a solid and extremely adhesive as they convert from liquid to solid. An epoxy floor system contains resins and hardeners. These two components are combined to create a rigid plastic material and cannot be reverted to their original forms. Once in this form, epoxies can be used for a variety of purposes including adhesives, coatings and other composite materials such as carbon fiber or glass-reinforced plastic.

Epoxy may or may not be the only element in your flooring materials. For instance, you can coat your garage floor with epoxy floor coating meaning it has less than three layers of epoxy materials or create an epoxy garage floor coating made from multiple layers of epoxy materials and has the thickness of a regular floor surface.

Although epoxy flooring can be used on concrete, steel and wood, it actually works best on concrete. However, special care must be given when installing epoxy on a concrete surface since the performance of the coating is directly affected by its preparation. If you do not take the proper steps and precautions in preparing your surface, it could have adverse effect on the lifetime of your floor. Once you have determined your needs, there are at least nine steps you need to follow when installing your epoxy flooring. They include:

1. You must begin by examining your surface. If you find inhibiting substances such as curing materials, dirt, efflorescence, grease or other already existing sealers, you must remove them before proceeding.

2. Next, you must test the concrete. A simple water drop test will suffice. If you are using new concrete, remember that it must be cured for at least 28 days at a suitable temperature before you can work with it.

3. You must clean your uncoated concrete by removing any chemicals, grease or oil that may be on the surface.

4. Remove any painting on the surface, especially if it is peeling or deteriorating in any way.

5. At this point, you may repair any defective surfaces by removing concrete, filling holes or performing any other procedure to perfect the concrete’s surface.

6. The concrete surface may require shot blasting, particularly if you need to roughen the surface. This is a typical procedure before applying coatings, polymer overlays or sealers.

7. In some cases, diamond grinding may be necessary. In this procedure, you will remove coatings or deposits and reduce or remove a smooth surface profile.

8. The next step is scarification. This method utilizes the rotary action of cutters, or tooth washers, to hit the surface at a right angle, causing the concrete’s top surface to fracture and leave a clean surface.

9. Last, you must perform acid etching, applying an acid solution to the concrete that will react with or “etch” the concrete. This process is not as popular as shot blasting but is still acceptable.

Diamond Grind/Polish Tools now at Legacy Industrial

Legacy Industrial, maunfacturer of the legendary HD-7936 Concrete Densifier, is now offering a new line of diamond grind/polish pads and tools.

From an American factory in the deep south, these excellent tools are ready to help you tackle those tough concrete flooring jobs with ease. These are pro-grade tools and will not fail like those internet specials.

You can count on Legacy Industrial to bring you the best materials and tools for diamond grinding and polishing concrete floors.

For more information: Legacy Industrial- just click!

FREE SHIPPING Concrete Densifier, Epoxy Coatings

Legacy Industrial, manufacturer of the now famous, HD-7936 Concrete Densifier is proud to announce that starting Friday November 11th 2011, all products will include free shipping when ordered directly from the customer's web-site store.

HD-36 Concrete Densifier fastest absorbtion rate

Legacy Industrial's extremely absorbent penetrating lithium densifier HD-36 has been recently awarded the prestigious rank of most penetrative sealer, by a third party testing facility in the Mid-West.

Several lithium and colloidal silicate based densifiers were tested in this head to head competition.
The base testing was performed on concrete countertops. Criteria ranged from timed rate of absorbtion with and without agitation, depth of penetration and density testing.

HD-36 excelled at all the tests, in fact the lab technician was in disbelief of the vast difference when the individual product data was compared across the board.

In summary, this lithium based concrete densifier is still the lowest priced, highest quality densifier on the market. Results will be published in an upcoming issue of Concrete Polishing Contractor Forum Magazine. Contact Legacy Industrial at 908-269-8300 or www.legacyindustrial.net