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Polished (grinding) surface finish

Concrete can be polished to varying degrees of smoothness, from matt to high gloss. The latter can have the appearance of marble or polished granite. The polishing of small components is generally carried out by hand, but larger units are polished mechanically. Grinding away the outer 2 or 3 mm will reveal the aggregate. A series of abrasives are then applied to the surface. The final finish depends on the fineness of the polishing heads and the number of times that they are passed over the concrete surface.

The final process involved in internal polished concrete is the application of a surface sealer to give a durable, long-wearing protective coating. Sealants can take the form of wax, solvent or water (acrylic) based products, all of which can be clear or coloured. With waxes, thickness is being added and some of the surface texture may therefore be lost. Care should be exercised when applying a sealant to hardened power-trowelled concrete, as the surface does not allow sealants to readily soak into the concrete. Sealants to these types of floors are best applied during the construction process. Depending on the usage, it may be necessary to re-apply the sealant from time to time to restore the original finish.

WARNING: All materials must be used strictly in accordance with the appropriate COSHH Regulations and in accordance with the manufacturer´s recommendations.

A useful web-site is provded by the American Concrete network

Acknowledgement: Concrete Society

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Visual Concrete: Finishes