Floor Grinding

[Gil Rubio]

I have some Ghostshield densifier and sealant to protect my floor but before I install it I’m considering grinding the floor down to make it smooth. I’m questioning whether its worth doing or not considering the mess it’s going to make and the fact that I have to empty out my garage for an extended amount of time.

I’ve attached some pictures of the condition of the floor. It was pored just over a year ago and the texture is inconsistent. Its sooth some places and rough in others. I’ve never done this before so I don’t know if I can achieve a smooth finish with home depot tool rentals. What do people with experience think?

My other question is on the tools. I’ve read most of the other threads on the subject so I know I need the diamabrush concrete prep tool. When it comes to the machine, I’ve noticed people using the “Floor Maintainer” and the “Floor Polisher” but I don’t know which one is better. The Polisher has the built in vacuum attachment so that appealing but I would hate to rent it if it’s not powerful enough to get the job done. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

The products you mentioned will not be any worth to you unless you polish or at least hone this floor after it is ground. It will turn into a dirt-trap otherwise.

Your best bet is a higher performing product like epoxy or polyurea.

 

[FJ4FUN]

I have ZERO... (0)... not any, experience with the products that you mention but based on your photos, at a minimum, you need to diamond grind that floor before you consider any coating system. This is way beyond a Diamabrush equipped 175 rpm floor maintainer capability or intended purpose. That's the bad news. The good news is that quality,twin head diamond grinders and dust control set-ups are readily available these days at most big box hardware stores or equipment rental tool yards.

 

[JereWhite]

For eight months, I worked for a small company that specialized in decorative and chemical floor coatings. Therefore I have limited experience, but as previously mentioned the concrete floor will absorb most chemical treatment in its current finished state. You might purchase or rent a grinding machine as well as several different grit of diamond cutting stones, in order to polish and hone the surface. During the polishing process, we often applied the densifier twice, at different stages of cutting.

Also, it's popular to "cut the floor wet", which dissolves the application of the vacuum. You can then spray the concrete slurry right out the door. This might not be the best option for you, depending on your waste disposal options, the scope of the project, etc. I believe "wet cutting" was designed as an alternative to "dry cutting" because of the risk of silica inhalation, even with vacuum attachments.

Needless to say, if ground and polished you will notice a wildly different appearance, especially at higher grit diamonds. If you do not prefer the appearance, you could try an approach which involves several applications of product without grinding using the higher grit diamonds. When working with densifiers, I often noticed a visual change in the surface of the concrete such as darkening, or a white film forming, depending on the formula.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert. I usually worked with concrete which was fairly green, if not poured a day prior. I have often heard that concrete cures 50% per year, being a continual curing. I am not confident that this stuff is an exact science, but rather an adapt as you go experience.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Be careful of wet-grinding. You will leave behind an annoying concrete slurry that is more trouble than dealing with dust.

 

[Gil Rubio]

When i purchased the ghostshield i was told that no prep was needed other then cleaning so I was not grinding the floor for adhesion, rather i was just looking to get a smoother floor to make cleaning easier, have things roll easier, aesthetics etc.

I guess I have more to think about. Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[Shea]

When i purchased the ghostshield i was told that no prep was needed other then cleaning so I was not grinding the floor for adhesion, rather i was just looking to get a smoother floor to make cleaning easier, have things roll easier, aesthetics etc.

I guess I have more to think about. Thanks for the responses so far.

What you were told is correct for a concrete surface with a normal profile. Unfortunately, the profile of your concrete is not normal and that is why you are having to rethink what you want to do.

 

[Gil Rubio]

I honestly didn't think that the surface was so bad, you cant even really see it when standing up. i took the picture 2 inches from the floor with the penny for size reference. My sidewalk has a broom finish and the brush marks are much more aggressive.

 

[Gil Rubio]

I have ZERO... (0)... not any, experience with the products that you mention but based on your photos, at a minimum, you need to diamond grind that floor before you consider any coating system. This is way beyond a Diamabrush equipped 175 rpm floor maintainer capability or intended purpose. That's the bad news. The good news is that quality,twin head diamond grinders and dust control set-ups are readily available these days at most big box hardware stores or equipment rental tool yards.

Are you referring to something like this?

https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Concrete-Grinder-10/50200-HD/index.html

That's the only other grinder I'm seeing at Home Depot

Thanks

 

[FJ4FUN]

Many HDs also rent these...

 

[Gil Rubio]

The products you mentioned will not be any worth to you unless you polish or at least hone this floor after it is ground. It will turn into a dirt-trap otherwise.

Your best bet is a higher performing product like epoxy or polyurea.

Would one of these products mentioned smoothen it out any? What type of prep am I looking at with the condition of my floor? I'm just trying to know all of my options before continuing.
Thanks

 

[greg13]

Many HDs also rent these...

That is what you want with dymacerts and HEPA Vacuum. Concrete dust is nasty stuff that you do not want to breath. OSHA has written strict guidelines in the past couple of years. Many rental houses have the grinders & vacuums.

 

[Armorpoxy]

A penetrating sealer like Ghostshield since it penetrates and is not topical leaves the floor in its current state which appears to be a dirt collector, so grinding first is recommended.

 

[Cairo94507]

Believe me, concrete dust gets everywhere. We taped up my garage ceiling and walls, cabinets, etc. looked like a clean room. Then we started grinding the floor to get it ready for porcelain tile. We emptied the vacuum often to try to minimize dust. Wore respirators, etc. We still had concrete dust in everything. You need a lot of ventilation when grinding. We had both garage doors wide open. Then we vacuumed the floor several times and pulled all of the plastic and then blew out the entire garage, still with respirators on. Then we washed the floor 3 times while scrubbing it with a soft brush head broom. Then we let it sit for 2 days to completely dry. We then self-leveled the floor to address any remaining low spots. Then we filled all of the expansion joints and did a Schluter membrane in the vent we had any earthquake or settling movement so it would not (hopefully) break the tiles. Then we laid down 12x12 PEI porcelain tile. I love the floor. Well worth all of the work.

 

[Gil Rubio]

Believe me, concrete dust gets everywhere. We taped up my garage ceiling and walls, cabinets, etc. looked like a clean room. Then we started grinding the floor to get it ready for porcelain tile. We emptied the vacuum often to try to minimize dust. Wore respirators, etc. We still had concrete dust in everything. You need a lot of ventilation when grinding. We had both garage doors wide open. Then we vacuumed the floor several times and pulled all of the plastic and then blew out the entire garage, still with respirators on. Then we washed the floor 3 times while scrubbing it with a soft brush head broom. Then we let it sit for 2 days to completely dry. We then self-leveled the floor to address any remaining low spots. Then we filled all of the expansion joints and did a Schluter membrane in the vent we had any earthquake or settling movement so it would not (hopefully) break the tiles. Then we laid down 12x12 PEI porcelain tile. I love the floor. Well worth all of the work.

Man that looks so good.