Just how to Polish a Concrete Countertop

Whether you want a just-buffed matte look or a high gloss shine, all put concrete kitchen counters gain from an extensive polishing prior to they're used. With an electric wet concrete polisher and also a collection of rugged- to fine-grit ruby brightening pads, paired with a healthy and balanced dosage of patience and also elbow joint grease, you'll be able to accomplish an attractive coating on your kitchen counter. Not only will polishing get rid of bumps and rough edges, yet it can subject some of the appealing accumulations within the concrete mix, leading to an one-of-a-kind piece. [1]


Component
1
Cleaning and also Patching Openings
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Secure your work area with decrease towels and plastic. Damp polishing concrete can be a very untidy process. Cover your floorings with ground cloth to avoid splashes as well as stains. Take into consideration covering your walls with plastic too. [2]
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Load tiny holes in the concrete with a patching blend. If your concrete counter top has any kind of little holes or minor imperfections, you can complete the openings with homemade or store-bought patching combination before starting the polishing procedure. [3] Photo entitled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 3
3
Allow the concrete to completely treat for at least 10 days before brightening. Don't attempt to polish your counter top up until the concrete as well as any succeeding spots are completely cured. For finest outcomes, the concrete should have been healed for no less than 10 days and no even more than 1 month. [4] Photo entitled Gloss a Concrete Counter Top Action 4
4
Clean off the concrete surface with water as well as a squeegee. Put water over the leading and sides of the fully-cured concrete counter top. After that run a squeegee over the entire piece to remove any type of particles from the surface of the concrete. [5] Any type of remaining particles may explore the concrete and also leave deep scrapes as soon as you start polishing it, so ensure to remove all deposit during this procedure.

Part
2
Developing the Surface Area with a Coarse Grit Pad
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Place on an apron, safety and security goggles, and also earplugs prior to functioning. Safeguard your garments 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 protect your ears from the harsh noises of the grinding device. [6] Make sure any kind of loosened apron ties are stashed. Similarly, connect back long hair away from your face as well as make certain it won't dangle before your shoulders.
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2
Link a handheld damp concrete brush to a water source. You'll be utilizing a portable damp concrete polisher with variable speed setups and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) shut off abilities. The brush you're using could have an integrated water hose, or it may have a getting tube that you can twist a yard hose onto. In any case, connect the tube from your water source to the device firmly.
The tool needs to launch water regularly as you grind the surface area of the concrete. This will certainly deal with all the concrete dust that would typically create without a stream of water avoiding it. It also cools down the grinding pads which will warm up swiftly from the friction.
Variable speed settings aren't totally needed to attain a smooth finish however will give you much more control over your progress. [7] Picture labelled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 7
3
Connect the coarsest grit diamond grinding pad to the brush. You'll be making use of a suitable collection of diamond grinding pads varying from coarse (regarding 50 grit) to very great (up to 3,000 grit). Numerous tools and grinding pads included compatible hook-and-loop attachments, making it very easy to switch from one pad to an additional. Place the coarsest pad (50 grit) on the polisher as well as affix it safely. [8] Make certain the device and grinding pads you've chosen are specifically made for use on concrete. Rock brushes and pads meant for use on products like granite will not stand up to this project.
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4
Hold the device degree and apply also stress to the concrete surface area. Beginning with the largest straight surface of the kitchen counter, setting the grinding pad in contact with the concrete and launch the tool. Function your way around the surface in fanned or straight strokes at a moderate speed.
The brightening device should not be hung on an angle, and you won't need to lower on it extremely hard. If you do, you'll cause it to explore the surface and also the concrete will certainly be entrusted to unfavorable divots, swirl marks, and also an uneven surface. [9] Photo labelled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Action 9
5
Rubbed out bumps to accomplish an even surface appearance with the first pass. With your 50-grit grinding pad, you'll be able to obtain the entire concrete surface to the same appearance. It will definitely be harsh to the touch, yet the essential thing is that it's even. concrete grinding wheel for angle grinder as lot of times as you need to erode any continuing to be lumps in the concrete. [10] You should wind up with an absolutely flat surface area.
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6
Affix a safety skirt to the tool and brighten the upright surfaces. Clip on a protective skirt around the 50 grit polishing pad to make sure that when you hold the device up and down, the water that's streaming out and also catching all the concrete dirt does not spray all over the floor and also ceiling of your workspace. Once the skirt is attached, polish the sides and also edges the exact same means you brightened the countertop's straight surface area. [11] Whichever grit you're using, complete a full overlook the straight surface area as well as upright surface areas prior to switching over out to the following finer grit pad. This will certainly save you time in the lengthy run and will guarantee that the appearance is constant across all sides of the kitchen counter.
Part
3
Using Finer Grits to Create a Shine
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Switch over to the following degree grit as well as review the whole surface area again. If you began with a 50-grit pad, step down to a 100-grit pad, which is made to buff out the structure developed by the 50-grit pad. Comply with the exact same process of applying also stress and working at a moderate rate up until the horizontal and upright surface areas have a consistent appearance.
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2
Rinse and also squeegee the counter top occasionally between passes. As you brighten the concrete, some particles as well as slurry might be leftover. Rinse every surface area and press off any kind of little bits of debris. Make use of these recurring stops briefly as a possibility to examine your handiwork and see just how close you're getting to the desired coating. [12] Image labelled Polish a Concrete Countertop Tip 13
3
Use handheld ruby grinding blocks to polish hard-to-reach locations. Similar to the electric concrete polisher, you'll begin with the coarsest block (around 120 grit) and also work your method approximately the finest grit (around 1,500 grit). Ensure you get any kind of tough edges and also smooth out the edges running around the boundary of the counter top. [13] You should use handheld blocks in the same series of grit levels as those you made use of with the electric sprucing up device. If you skip any type of grit degrees you will not accomplish the exact same finish. [14] Picture entitled Polish a Concrete Countertop Action 14
4
Development from the coarse-grit pads to the medium-grit pads. If you've already used a 50-grit and also 100-grit pad, you'll utilize a 200-grit pad for the following pass, complied with by a 400-grit pad. Whatever you do, do not miss any kind of grit levels! You'll need to slowly proceed from coarse to medium to penalty since brightening pads are created to ravel the surface developed by the previous grit.
As an example, a great 3,000 grit pad won't provide you a good looking coating if you most lately made use of a 200 grit pad. Stick with the development as well as you'll see lovely outcomes! [15] Image titled Gloss a Concrete Counter Top Step 15
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Use medium-fine grits to produce a smooth surface area. When you're made with the 400-grit pad, button to an 800-grit pad. Repeat the procedure of brightening all surfaces of the kitchen counter. You'll begin to see a smooth finish develop as you function your method with these medium-fine grit pads. [16] Image titled Polish a Concrete Countertop Step 16
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Utilize the finest grits to achieve a glossy finish. After the 800-grit pad, you can stop with a 1,500-grit pad which will give a smooth-to-the-touch surface area and also a refined luster. For an added shiny surface, finish the last pass with a 3,000 grit pad. [17] Component
4
Treating and Securing the Concrete
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Give the counter top a last rinse with water. When you have actually accomplished the desired surface, rinse as well as squeegee off the countertop one last time. Ensure you haven't missed out on any kind of spots and also that all surface areas have a smooth and also finish. Permit the concrete to air completely dry completely.
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2
Treat the concrete with any type of paint or acid discolorations if desired. You should use any type of paint or acid stain therapies at this phase-- after you have actually brightened the concrete as well as provided it a last rinse as well as dry, however before you seal it.
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3
Apply 1 layer of concrete sealer to the surface with a dustcloth. Acquisition a penetrative concrete sealer that's developed for kitchen counters instead of floors. It must be water-proof, low-odor, and also food-safe. Saturate a clean cloth with the product and also clean on 1 full layer of sealer to the concrete. Make certain to layer all spaces, crannies, and also corners of the kitchen counter. [18] You can select from the range of gloss levels available, from high gloss to a matte finish. [19] Photo titled Polish a Concrete Countertop Step 20
4
Let the sealant fully treat prior to enjoying your brand-new counter top. Permit the surface to completely dry entirely. Depending on the securing product you have actually used, it might take a few days or a few weeks to heal. After that you'll be able to use and maintaining your brand-new concrete kitchen counter!
Although sealing will not prevent all scrapes, places, spots, and also other defects from happening with normal usage, it is an essential action in protecting against the growth of microorganisms within your concrete. [20]