How to Gloss a Concrete Countertop

Whether you want a just-buffed matte appearance or a high gloss shine, all put concrete countertops profit from a detailed sprucing up prior to they're placed to use. With an electric damp concrete polisher and also a collection of coarse- to fine-grit ruby polishing pads, coupled with a healthy dosage of patience and also elbow oil, you'll be able to attain a lovely surface on your kitchen counter. Not just will brightening eliminate bumps and harsh sides, yet it can subject a few of the attractive aggregates within the concrete mix, resulting in a distinctive piece. [1]


Part
1
Cleansing and also Covering Openings
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Shield your work area with ground cloth and plastic. Wet polishing concrete can be an incredibly messy procedure. Cover your floors with decline cloths to stop splashes and also stains. Take into consideration covering your walls with plastic too. [2]
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Load tiny openings in the concrete with a patching blend. If your concrete countertop has any small openings or minor problems, you can load in the holes with homemade or store-bought patching blend before starting the brightening process. [3] Picture labelled Gloss a Concrete Countertop Action 3
3
Enable the concrete to fully heal for a minimum of 10 days before polishing. Do not attempt to polish your countertop until the concrete as well as any kind of subsequent spots are totally cured. For ideal results, the concrete ought to have been treated for no fewer than 10 days as well as no greater than thirty days. [4] Image entitled Gloss a Concrete Counter Top Step 4
4
Clean off the concrete surface with water and a squeegee. Pour water over the leading as well as edges of the fully-cured concrete kitchen counter. After that run a squeegee over the entire item to remove any particles from the surface of the concrete. [5] Any remaining debris might explore the concrete as well as leave deep scratches once you begin polishing it, so make certain to get rid of all deposit throughout this process.

Component
2
Developing the Surface Area with a Coarse Grit Pad
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Place on an apron, safety and security goggles, and earplugs prior to functioning. Shield your clothing from the mess of concrete slurry with an apron or one-piece suit. Your eyes should be covered with safety goggles, and also you can make use of earplugs or building earmuffs to protect your ears from the harsh audios of the grinding device. [6] Be sure any loosened apron ties are tucked away. In a similar way, connect back lengthy hair far from your face and ensure it won't dangle before your shoulders.
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2
Link a portable wet concrete polisher to a water resource. You'll be using a handheld damp concrete brush with variable speed settings and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) shut down abilities. The brush you're making use of could have an integrated water hose pipe, or it might have a receiving tube that you can turn a garden hose pipe onto. Either method, hook up the tube from your water resource to the device safely.
The device needs to launch water consistently as you grind the surface area of the concrete. This will care for all the concrete dirt that would commonly create without a stream of water preventing it. It likewise cools off the grinding pads which will certainly warm up promptly from the rubbing.
Variable rate settings aren't completely necessary to accomplish a smooth coating yet will offer you much more control over your development. [7] Image titled Polish a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 7
3
Connect the coarsest grit ruby grinding pad to the brush. You'll be using a compatible collection of ruby grinding pads varying from crude (regarding 50 grit) to really fine (up to 3,000 grit). Numerous tools and also grinding pads come with compatible hook-and-loop add-ons, making it easy to switch over from one pad to an additional. Place the coarsest pad (50 grit) on the brush as well as connect it safely. [8] Ensure the tool and grinding pads you've picked are particularly made for usage on concrete. Stone polishers as well as pads meant for use on products like granite will not hold up to this job.
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4
Hold the device degree as well as use even stress to the concrete surface area. Beginning with the biggest horizontal surface area of the countertop, setting the grinding pad touching the concrete and also launch the tool. Work your means around the surface in fanned or straight strokes at a modest speed.
The brightening device shouldn't be held on an angle, as well as you will not require to lower on it really hard. If you do, you'll cause it to dig into the surface as well as the concrete will certainly be entrusted unfavorable divots, swirl marks, and also an unequal finish. [9] Picture labelled Polish a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 9
5
Buff out bumps to achieve an even surface structure with the initial pass. With your 50-grit grinding pad, you'll be able to get the whole concrete surface area to the very same appearance. It will certainly be rough to the touch, yet the crucial point is that it's even. Look at the surface area as often times as you need to erode any kind of continuing to be lumps in the concrete. [10] You ought to end up with an entirely level surface area.
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Connect a protective skirt to the device and also polish the vertical surfaces. Clip on a safety skirt around the 50 grit brightening pad so that when you hold the tool vertically, the water that's streaming out as well as capturing all the concrete dirt doesn't spray all over the flooring as well as ceiling of your office. Once the skirt is connected, polish the edges and corners similarly you brightened the counter top's horizontal surface area. [11] Whichever grit you're utilizing, complete a complete pass over the straight surface area and vertical surfaces prior to changing bent on the following finer grit pad. This will certainly save you time in the long term and will make certain that the appearance is consistent across all sides of the kitchen counter.
Component
3
Using Finer Grits to Create a Luster
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Switch to the following level grit and look at the whole surface area once more. If you began with a 50-grit pad, tip down to a 100-grit pad, which is made to buff out the texture developed by the 50-grit pad. Adhere to the exact same process of using even pressure as well as working at a modest speed up until the straight as well as upright surfaces have a constant appearance.
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2
Wash as well as squeegee the kitchen counter sometimes in between passes. As you brighten the concrete, some debris as well as slurry might be remaining. Wash off every surface and press off any littles debris. Use these recurring pauses as an opportunity to examine your creation as well as see how close you're reaching the desired coating. [12] Picture entitled Polish a Concrete Countertop Step 13
3
Use portable diamond grinding blocks to polish hard-to-reach areas. Just like the electrical concrete brush, you'll start with the coarsest block (around 120 grit) as well as function your method up to the finest grit (around 1,500 grit). Make certain you get any challenging edges and also ravel the edges running around the border of the counter top. [13] You ought to use handheld blocks in the very same sequence of grit degrees as those you made use of with the electric polishing device. If you miss any type of grit levels you won't attain the exact same finish. [14] Picture labelled Gloss a Concrete Countertop Step 14
4
Development from the coarse-grit pads to the medium-grit pads. If concrete grinding wheel for angle grinder 've currently used a 50-grit as well as 100-grit pad, you'll use a 200-grit pad for the next pass, adhered to by a 400-grit pad. Whatever you do, do not avoid any grit degrees! You'll require to gradually proceed from rugged to medium to fine considering that polishing pads are designed to smooth out the surface created by the previous grit.
For instance, a great 3,000 grit pad will not give you a good looking finish if you most lately utilized a 200 grit pad. Stick to the development and also you'll see beautiful outcomes! [15] Photo entitled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 15
5
Usage medium-fine grits to develop a smooth surface. When you're made with the 400-grit pad, button to an 800-grit pad. Repeat the process of polishing all surfaces of the countertop. You'll start to see a smooth surface establish as you function your means via these medium-fine grit pads. [16] Picture titled Polish a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 16
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Use the finest grits to attain a glossy surface. After the 800-grit pad, you can quit with a 1,500-grit pad which will provide a smooth-to-the-touch surface area and a refined luster. For an added glossy finish, finish the final pass with a 3,000 grit pad. [17] Component
4
Dealing with as well as Securing the Concrete
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1
Offer the counter top a final rinse with water. When concrete grinding wheel lowes have actually achieved the wanted coating, rinse and squeegee off the counter top one last time. Make certain you have not missed any places as well as that all surface areas have a smooth and also complete. Enable the concrete to air completely dry totally.
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2
Deal with the concrete with any type of paint or acid spots if wanted. You ought to use any kind of paint or acid tarnish therapies at this phase-- after you've brightened the concrete and also given it a final rinse and completely dry, however prior to you seal it.
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3
Apply 1 layer of concrete sealer to the surface area with a rag. Acquisition a penetrative concrete sealant that's developed for kitchen counters as opposed to floors. It ought to be water-proof, low-odor, as well as food-safe. Saturate a tidy rag with the product and wipe on 1 total layer of sealant to the concrete. Ensure to layer all nooks, crannies, and corners of the kitchen counter. [18] You can select from the variety of gloss degrees available, from high gloss to a matte finish. [19] Photo entitled Gloss a Concrete Kitchen Counter Step 20
4
Allow the sealer totally cure before enjoying your brand-new counter top. Permit the surface area to dry completely. Depending on the sealing product you've used, it might take a couple of days or a few weeks to treat. After that you'll be able to use as well as preserving your brand-new concrete counter top!
Although sealing will not stop all scrapes, spots, spots, and also various other defects from accompanying routine use, it is an essential action in preventing the development of microorganisms within your concrete. [20]