Level 1 – Flat [Ground]

Level 2 – Satin [Honed]

Level 3 – Semi-Polished

Level 4 – Highly Polished

Additional Protection If floor will have potential to be stained, then a stain guard can be applied

Protection After Completion Participants should understand polished concrete must be protected

A Special Note About Samples

Be Careful, Be Very Careful Use of samples can be problematic Polished concrete is similar to wood and stone – will have a natural finish that cannot be predicted by a sample

Diamond Abrasives and Full/Maximum Refinement

Diamond Abrasives Most significant tool Many forms, shapes and sizes Industrial grade diamonds set in metal or resin bondings of varying grits

Diamond Abrasives Categorized as: - Coarse - Medium - Fine For concrete that is: - Soft - Hard

Diamond Abrasives Levels of abrasion: - Grinding: 100 grit metals; 50 grit resins - Honing: 100, 200, and 400 grit resins - Polishing: 800 grit and above resins

How Diamond Abrasives Work Abrasives cut peaks and valleys in concrete Higher the grit, peaks and valleys are smaller Each grit removes peaks and valleys of previous grit and can fully refine its own peaks and valleys

Most Important Aspect Have to achieve full/maximum refinement for each bonded abrasive grit Abrasive no longer cuts (or cuts very little) under its current weight More refinement means more resistance to abrasion

Most Important Aspect Full/maximum refinement achieved when surface is smooth (no peaks or valleys) and light is reflected in a perfectly organized manner