The Levels of Polished Concrete
Knowing the different levels of polished concrete will help your clients visualize the finished product. It will also help make the bid process more accurate. We have provided a polished concrete spectrum resource to help you determine the best outcome for your client.
The Polished Concrete Spectrum
200 Industrial Grit Polish Process
- Grind floor to remove existing adhesives if present
- Tile mastic, carpet glue, etc.
- Grind floor with 30 grit diamonds
- Patch floor/repair cracks as necessary
- Grind floor with 80 grit diamond
- Grind floor with 120 grit diamond
- Polish floor with 100 grit resin
- Polish floor with 200 grit resin
- Hand polish wall edges
- Apply color if applicable
- Apply densifier
- Apply sealer (2 coats)
- Burnish floor
Examples
400 Grit Polish Process
- Grind floor to remove existing adhesives if present
- Tile mastic, carpet glue, etc.
- Grind floor with 30 grit diamonds
- Patch floor/repair cracks as necessary
- Grind floor with 80 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 120 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 50 grit transitionals
- Polish floor with 50 grit resins
- Polish floor with 100 grit resins
- Polish floor with 200 grit resins
- Apply color if necessary
- Apply densifier
- Polish floor with 400 grit resins
- Hand polish wall edges
- Apply sealer (2 coats)
- Burnish floor
Example
800 Grit Polish Process
- Grind floor to remove existing adhesives if present
- Tile mastic, carpet glue, etc.
- Grind floor with 30 grit diamonds
- Patch floor/repair cracks as necessary
- Grind floor with 80 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 120 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 50 grit transitionals
- Polish floor with 50 grit resins
- Polish floor with 100 grit resins
- Polish floor with 200 grit resins
- Apply color if necessary
- Apply densifier
- Polish floor with 400 grit resins
- Polish floor with 800 grit resins
- Hand polish wall edges
- Apply sealer (2 coats)
- Burnish floor
Examples
Grind, Stain and Seal Process
- Grind floor to remove existing adhesives if present
- Tile mastic, carpet glue, etc.
- Grind floor with 30 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 80 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 120 grit diamonds
- Hand grind wall edges
- Apply color
- Apply densifier
- Apply Sealer
Examples
Grind and Seal Process
- Grind floor to remove existing adhesives if present
- Tile mastic, carpet glue, etc.
- Grind floor with 30 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 80 grit diamonds
- Grind floor with 120 grit diamonds
- Hand grind wall edges
- Apply densifier
- Apply Sealer
Examples
Gloss Level Table
| LEVEL | GRIT | SHEEN LEVEL |
MINIMUM NO. OF ABRASIVE PASSES |
APPEARANCE | GLOSS READING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Below 100 | None to very low | 4 | Flat. Floor has little if any reflectivity. | n/a |
| 2 | 100 to 400 | Low to medium | 5 | Satin or matte appearance with or without slight diffused reflection. | 40/50 |
| 3 | 800 and higher | Medium to high | 6 | Semi-polished. Objects being reflected are not quite sharp and crisp, but can be easily identified. | 50/60 |
| 4 | 800 and higher | Medium to high | 7 | Highly polished. Objects being reflected are sharp and crisp, with mirror-like clarity. | 60/80 |
