To transform an old concrete floor, the hard work of preparing it for a new application must first be completed. Cleaning and sanitizing are essential, but so is removing any residues or coatings that can interfere with a successful concrete polishing job.
Diamond grinding removes virtually any coating, epoxy, glue, or mastic depending on its type, the hardness of the concrete, the desired finish, and the size of the surface. Diamond tooling is the real workhorse, between the grinding machine and the concrete surface.
It is essential to know how to determine the type of diamond tooling that will be most effective for the substrate as well as the end result you are after.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about selecting diamond tools for grinding and polishing concrete, how to use them, and where to buy them.
Diamond Grinding 101
You can chip away at hard surface materials such as concrete, granite, and marble by mounting a diamond grinding tool to a grinding machine. On the Mohs scale, diamonds are rated 10 on hardness. As a result, diamonds are the hardest materials on earth.
Depending on the diamond grit you choose, however, can affect the surface area you are applying them to. Choosing a diamond grinding tool with the correct segment bond is essential.
To begin with, you should ensure you have the right size diamond tool for your project. Larger size tooling might be necessary for grinding concrete than for removing a little paint.
In general, diamond tools with smaller surface areas are considered more aggressive. Therefore, these tools leave more scratching behind on surfaces after grinding.
The smoothest finish is likely to be achieved with larger diamond tools. Before selecting the size of your concrete grinding tool, make sure you understand your resurfacing plan.
What is a Bond?
As diamond crystals are ground to the slab surface by means of an abrasive grinding process, the bond holds them in the diamond tool. Diamonds are revealed as the bond wears out over time.
Grinding tools with soft bonds work well on hard surfaces. Eventually, the bond will wear out, so the sharp diamond pieces are exposed and able to do their part.
In the event that you have a soft or gritty surface to work on, you’ll need a harder bond. As a result, the diamond does not wear out as fast.
What are Segments?
‘Segments’ refer to the three centrally located parts of the diamond tool. These diamond pieces can be attached to the cup in several manners.
Surfaces such as concrete and stone benefit from larger segments. On a smaller job, you might have smaller segments. Paint and epoxies can be removed easily with these types of segments.
What is a Grit?
As a final factor, you will need to evaluate the grit of the diamond, which tells you whether it is coarse or fine. A diamond that has a coarser grit (30 to 40 should do the job) is best for a concrete floor grinder working on a coarse surface. A finer grit will be needed if you want to polish your surface. Smoother surfaces can be achieved if the grit is higher than 40. You will need to use higher-grit grinding cup wheels for a longer period of time. If you are trying to balance your end result with your productivity, you should refer to your grit levels.
Finding the Proper Diamond Tools
When it comes to finding the perfect diamond grinding tools, there is no need to look any further! Xtreme’s metal bond diamond tools are manufactured to the highest quality standards to provide optimal performance.
In addition to offering industry-leading products and services, Xtreme Polishing Systems makes the process of surface preparation as effortless as possible for our customers.
If you have the opportunity to work on another concrete project, review this article once again. Make sure you choose a concrete grinding wheel with the right size, shape, bond, and grit. See which diamond tool category fits your needs by looking through the different categories.
Conclusion
You make a big decision when you decide to purchase the best equipment for your next flooring project. Machines that are cost-effective and reliable are what we all want. Selecting the right diamond tooling can be the real challenge here. Productivity and cost-effectiveness depend on the right tool, but checking and measuring the performance of different tools can also help you learn.
Now that you know the basics to get started, all you need is a little patience and curiosity to try out different tools. Understanding errors is the greatest source of knowledge.
Resources, Guidance, and Support
At Xtreme Polishing Systems, our team of experts understands that concrete can variate in properties, therefore each slab must be treated differently. We also know how common it is for those unforeseen complications to occur after hours while still on the job site. It is crucial to have immediate support for achieving beautiful concrete finishes.
Whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself type of person, our top-of-the-line concrete product supply and industry expertise are available to anyone. Our pros are here to discuss all your project concerns to assist you every step of the way, from START to FINISH.
Questions? We would love to hear them! Our professionals are readily available to answer all your questions and to provide you with concrete knowledge and industry expertise in the overall preparation and completion of a concrete floor project. Shop Online or Call (877) 958-5732 for all your concrete flooring needs!
