Simple Concrete Finish?

[ShopMaker]

I making my garage into a metal working shop. The concrete floor is 30 years old and in reasonable shape. It appears to have been power troweled (but is not uniformly smooth).

I want a hard floor that is easy to sweep and does not produce dust. I don't want a top coating because metal chips will quickly scratch it. I'm not too concerned about stains either. I'm thinking about using a lithium densifier only.

There is also some spalling near the door and under the dryer duct. After concrete patching, will the densifier stop that?

Water beads up on much of the floor so it cannot be treated without first grinding. How fine do I have to grind to get a floor that is easy to clean and does not produce dust? Is this something I can take on myself with rented equipment?

 

[1BADLS1tuner]

I have similar needs for my shop...

i have been recommended a densifier with waterproofer.

i will be acid staining mine first though...

The densifier wont fill any divits or anything tho, it soaks into the top 8mm of the concrete .... so your surface texture will stay the same...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We have a product that is used to open concrete prior to acid staining.
It should help open your concrete to allow the densifier to penetrate.

Link:
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/power-trowel-prep-solution-1-gallon-p-234.html

 

[ShopMaker]

That's great. Does a densifier help with spalling caused by moisture?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Densifiers will stop dusting and efflorescence.
Our HD39 will greatly reduce the migration of moisture in both directions.

 

[pauls340]

Don't know where you're located but track down a Mg-Krete distributor and repair all your spalling with MGK Fine. We just finished additional testing; 100% impervious to moisture and vapor. We use it as a waterproofer both vertically and horizontally. I can skim coat at 1/8" a 24x24' garage floor in less than 3 hours...it gets to over 11,000 psi. You can also color it with powder's.

 

[ShopMaker]

Thanks for the info.