Concrete grinding/polishing

[conceptmachine]

I'm working on a 40x60 machine shop. Would like a better finish on the floor from what is there. What can I expect if I rent a grinding/polisher and what would the costs and time be to get it to look nicer than just a poured concrete slab. Was also thinking about polishing the office/bathroom area as well, but was also thinking tile might be better to go for that route, as its only 12x25.
Thank you

Jim

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Concept: This a great thing. If you can rent the machinery and tooling locally I say go for it. It is a multi-step process using ascending levels of diamond rich tooling.

 

[conceptmachine]

Legacy,
Is it something a newbie can tackle? About what are we talking time wise to do a 40x60 shop?
Thanks
Jim

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

A pro would charge you 10.00 psqft or more. A diamabrush system would take you approx 3 days depending on the condition to beign with.


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[conceptmachine]

Good to know, thank you. I don't know if they are Diamabrush that Home Depot rents or not? There may be someone else that rents others in the area. Will check. I would like to use a dry type system that uses a vacume system, but that may be asking to much. Its too icey and cold to be spashin water around

 

[James-W]

A pro would charge you 10.00 psqft or more. A diamabrush system would take you approx 3 days depending on the condition to begin with.


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Are you sure that's right? I am sure you know more about it than I do, but I can't help thinking that is way too much money to grind the floor. At $10 per square foot his 40 X 60 building (2,400 square feet) would cost $24,000 to grind the floor. That's an awful lot of money.

 

[conceptmachine]

Are you sure that's right? I am sure you know more about it than I do, but I can't help thinking that is way too much money to grind the floor. At $10 per square foot his 40 X 60 building (2,400 square feet) would cost $24,000 to grind the floor. That's an awful lot of money.

I was thinking that too. I was thinking about $5/SF, as thats about what epoxy finish goes for. Also, I would just like a more uniform finish, don't really need to have it shining. It practically does that now anyway. It's more of the area where the parting line is, I'd like to fix that area.

 

[shaun oriold1]

To the best of my professional knowledge, you wont find anyone who does a dry polishing. The resin pads used in the higher grits need water to stay cool. Correct me if I'm wrong too, but can the Diamabrush unit polish? isnt just a grinding machine.

Out my way polishing goes for approx $6. Depending on the desired end result. Its not a cheap undertaking. Nor is it something you want to DIY, most rental places will make you buy the polishing pads. You're going to spend a ton of money buying 1 time use pads, plus time, plus machine rental, on and chemicals too. Shop around locally, as you might be able to get it a lot cheaper - Especially if its a huge open space, and access is good. The guy I use on 2500 sq/ft+ jobs has huge machines, and has a daily rate....

 

[conceptmachine]

To the best of my professional knowledge, you wont find anyone who does a dry polishing. The resin pads used in the higher grits need water to stay cool. Correct me if I'm wrong too, but can the Diamabrush unit polish? isnt just a grinding machine.

Out my way polishing goes for approx $6. Depending on the desired end result. Its not a cheap undertaking. Nor is it something you want to DIY, most rental places will make you buy the polishing pads. You're going to spend a ton of money buying 1 time use pads, plus time, plus machine rental, on and chemicals too. Shop around locally, as you might be able to get it a lot cheaper - Especially if its a huge open space, and access is good. The guy I use on 2500 sq/ft+ jobs has huge machines, and has a daily rate....

Sounds good! Thanks
I watched some vids of the dry grinding...but don't know if they were polishing.
I may just go with the office area epoxied or polished and then just leave the shop alone.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Yes, the diamabrush system polishes. However, you need a new head for every grit level.
It can be done wet or dry.

We sell the entire system as a nice entry level package to polishing.
Pro pic:

 

[conceptmachine]

Looking Good down in Sunny FL!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Here is a pic of our epoxy vs. polishing.

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[marty_p]

Pardon my inquiry, Jim, but I have two questions for Legacy:

Legacy, how long does the sealant last on a polished floor? And what is an accurate, complete DIY cost to polish and seal a concrete floor using rented equipment?

 

[conceptmachine]

NP Marty,
I like the look of the epoxy more. However, the polished will hold up better I'm sure.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Marty:
I dont know that a DIY can do this without investing in the tooling. I dont know that it can be rented. Even if you went with the diamabrush system you would need to have a use for the equipment post polish to recoup the costs.

You dont use sealants only "guards" and reapplication is traffic dependent. A garage, maybe 2-3 years or so.


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[LegacyIndustrial]

Concept, the customer went with the epoxy on that job and it is more stain resistant than the polish.

Depending on what hits the floor the epoxy may be a better bet. For instance.... Common road salt will chew up a polished floor over time.


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[marty_p]

Thanks Scotty, and good luck, Jim. And do keep us posted!

 

[larry4406]

Any idea what Home Depot does to achieve their polished concrete floors? I like that look.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Thd, lowes, walmart.... All heavily power-trowel the floor, densify post troweling, they then burnish the floor like mad. A guard is introduced during the burnishing process.

Many of them utilize Diamabrush polishing pads on the floor maintenance machines in the store to keep it looking sweet.

They all are maintained regularly to keep up with the look.


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[rburke65]

Legacy....so is that a clearness epoxy on the above photo?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Both sides were ground using a diamond grinder. Left side has (2) coats of our Standard Clear Epoxy Sealer.

Side on the right was polished, post grinding. (notice the stain in the concrete).

This is a maintenance facility for a famous cola brand. Rhymes with Tepsi.