Exactly how to Polish a Concrete Countertop

Whether you seek a just-buffed matte look or a high gloss luster, all poured concrete kitchen counters take advantage of a thorough polishing before they're used. With an electric damp concrete brush and also a collection of crude- to fine-grit diamond brightening pads, coupled with a healthy and balanced dose of patience and also arm joint oil, you'll have the ability to accomplish a beautiful finish on your countertop. Not only will brightening eliminate bumps and also rough sides, yet it can subject some of the eye-catching aggregates within the concrete mix, leading to an unique piece. [1]


Part
1
Cleaning Up as well as Patching Holes
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Shield your work area with decrease towels and plastic. Wet brightening concrete can be an incredibly untidy process. Cover your floors with ground cloth to avoid sprinkles and also spots. Take into consideration covering your walls with plastic as well. [2]
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2
Load small openings in the concrete with a patching combination. If your concrete counter top has any little holes or small flaws, you can fill up in the holes with homemade or store-bought patching mixture prior to starting the polishing procedure. [3] Picture labelled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Action 3
3
Permit the concrete to totally treat for at the very least 10 days prior to brightening. Do not try to polish your counter top till the concrete and any type of succeeding patches are totally cured. For finest results, the concrete ought to have been cured for no less than 10 days and also no even more than thirty days. [4] Image labelled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Action 4
4
Laundry off the concrete surface with water and also a squeegee. Put water over the top as well as edges of the fully-cured concrete countertop. Then run a squeegee over the whole piece to get rid of any kind of debris from the surface of the concrete. [5] Any kind of leftover debris might go into the concrete as well as leave deep scratches when you begin brightening it, so see to it to remove all deposit throughout this process.

Part
2
Honing the Surface with a Coarse Grit Pad
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1
Place on an apron, security goggles, and earplugs before functioning. Shield your clothing from the mess of concrete slurry with an apron or one-piece suit. Your eyes should be covered with security goggles, and also you can make use of earplugs or building and construction earmuffs to shield your ears from the extreme audios of the grinding tool. [6] Make certain any loose apron connections are stashed. Likewise, connect back lengthy hair far from your face and make certain it will not dangle before your shoulders.
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2
Connect a portable wet concrete polisher to a water resource. You'll be using a portable wet concrete brush with variable rate settings as well as ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) shut down capacities. The brush you're making use of may have a built-in water tube, or it could have an obtaining tube that you can turn a yard hose onto. Regardless, connect the tube from your water resource to the device safely.
The tool ought to release water consistently as you grind the surface of the concrete. This will take care of all the concrete dust that would typically develop without a stream of water preventing it. It likewise cools the grinding pads which will warm up quickly from the friction.
Variable speed setups aren't absolutely essential to accomplish a smooth surface but will offer you more control over your development. [7] Image titled Polish a Concrete Countertop Step 7
3
Connect the coarsest grit diamond grinding pad to the brush. You'll be making use of a suitable set of ruby grinding pads varying from crude (concerning 50 grit) to extremely great (up to 3,000 grit). Many devices and grinding pads come with compatible hook-and-loop accessories, making it easy to switch over from one pad to one more. Area the coarsest pad (50 grit) on the brush and affix it securely. [8] Ensure the device and also grinding pads you've selected are particularly created for usage on concrete. Rock polishers and pads meant for use on products like granite won't stand up to this job.
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4
Hold the tool level and also use also pressure to the concrete surface area. Starting with the largest horizontal surface of the kitchen counter, setting the grinding pad in call with the concrete and launch the tool. Work your method around the surface area in fanned or straight strokes at a moderate rate.
The brightening device shouldn't be hung on an angle, and also you won't require to press down on it extremely hard. If you do, you'll cause it to dig into the surface and also the concrete will be entrusted to unfavorable divots, swirl marks, and an irregular surface. [9] Picture titled Gloss a Concrete Countertop Step 9
5
Rubbed out bumps to attain an also surface texture with the first pass. With your 50-grit grinding pad, you'll have the ability to get the entire concrete surface to the exact same appearance. It will definitely be rough to the touch, but the crucial thing is that it's also. Review the surface as lot of times as you need to grind down any continuing to be swellings in the concrete. [10] You must end up with a completely level surface.
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Affix a safety skirt to the tool as well as polish the upright surfaces. Clip on a protective skirt around the 50 grit brightening pad to ensure that when you hold the tool up and down, the water that's streaming out as well as capturing all the concrete dust doesn't spray all over the flooring and also ceiling of your work area. Once the skirt is connected, polish the edges as well as corners the same way you brightened the countertop's straight surface. [11] Whichever grit you're using, finish a complete pass over the straight surface area and also upright surface areas prior to switching over bent on the next finer grit pad. This will save you time in the future and will make sure that the texture is consistent throughout all sides of the countertop.
Component
3
Making Use Of Finer Grits to Develop a Sheen
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1
Switch to the next degree grit as well as look at the entire surface once more. If you began with a 50-grit pad, step down to a 100-grit pad, which is made to rub out the appearance created by the 50-grit pad. Follow the very same procedure of applying even pressure and also operating at a moderate rate up until the straight and upright surfaces possess a constant structure.
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Rinse and also squeegee the counter top sometimes in between passes. As you brighten the concrete, some particles and also slurry might be remaining. Rinse every surface area as well as press off any kind of littles particles. Make use of these recurring stops briefly as an opportunity to analyze your creation and also see exactly how close you're reaching the desired finish. [12] Image titled Polish a Concrete Counter Top Step 13
3
Use portable ruby grinding blocks to polish hard-to-reach areas. As with the electric concrete polisher, you'll begin with the coarsest block (around 120 grit) and function your method as much as the finest grit (around 1,500 grit). See to it you get any kind of tough corners as well as ravel the sides running around the border of the countertop. [13] You ought to make use of portable blocks in the same series of grit levels as those you used with the electrical polishing tool. If you avoid any type of grit degrees you will not accomplish the same surface. [14] Photo entitled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Action 14
4
Progress from the coarse-grit pads to the medium-grit pads. If you have actually already utilized a 50-grit as well as 100-grit pad, you'll use a 200-grit pad for the next pass, followed by a 400-grit pad. Whatever you do, do not miss any grit degrees! You'll need to gradually progress from coarse to tool to fine since brightening pads are created to ravel the surface created by the previous grit.
For instance, a great 3,000 grit pad will not offer you a good looking finish if you most just recently utilized a 200 grit pad. Stick with the development as well as you'll see stunning results! [15] Photo labelled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 15
5
Usage medium-fine grits to create a smooth surface. When you're made with the 400-grit pad, switch to an 800-grit pad. Repeat the process of polishing all surfaces of the kitchen counter. You'll start to see a smooth finish establish as you work your method through these medium-fine grit pads. [16] Picture labelled Polish a Concrete Countertop Action 16
6
Make use of the finest grits to achieve a glossy finish. After  concrete grinding ipswich -grit pad, you can stop with a 1,500-grit pad which will supply a smooth-to-the-touch surface and also a refined shine. For an additional glossy surface, finish the last pass with a 3,000 grit pad. [17] Part
4
Treating as well as Sealing the Concrete
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1
Give the countertop a final rinse with water. When you have actually attained the wanted coating, rinse and squeegee off the counter top one last time. Make certain you have not missed out on any kind of areas and that all surfaces have a smooth and also also end up. Allow the concrete to air dry totally.
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2
Treat the concrete with any kind of paint or acid stains if wanted. You need to use any type of paint or acid discolor therapies at this phase-- after you have actually brightened the concrete and also given it a last rinse as well as dry, but before you secure it.
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3
Apply 1 coat of concrete sealer to the surface area with a rag. Purchase a penetrative concrete sealer that's created for counter tops instead than floorings. It needs to be water-proof, low-odor, and also food-safe. Saturate a clean cloth with the product and also wipe on 1 full layer of sealant to the concrete. Make certain to layer all spaces, crannies, as well as edges of the countertop. [18] You can pick from the selection of gloss degrees available, from high gloss to a matte surface. [19] Photo titled Gloss a Concrete Counter Top Action 20
4
Allow the sealer completely heal prior to appreciating your brand-new counter top. Allow the surface to completely dry entirely. Depending on the securing product you have actually used, it may take a couple of days or a couple of weeks to cure. After that you'll be able to use and maintaining your new concrete kitchen counter!
Although securing will not avoid all scrapes, places, stains, as well as other defects from accompanying regular use, it is an essential action in stopping the development of bacteria within your concrete. [20]