Polished concrete surfaces are the in-thing for all those who want to finish their concrete surfaces without using traditional waxes. The technique enables you to grind your concrete surface and give a glossy finish without having to invest in special coatings. If you have the right equipment and procedures at hand, then you can polish both new and old concrete surfaces to achieve the particular look you want. The methods involved, however, can be quite confusing for those who do not have the knowledge and expertise on how concrete polishing works. The following article discusses details on wet and dry concrete polishing methods to help you gain more insight:
Wet Method
The wet method is one of the techniques used for concrete polishing. It involves using diamond abrasives to wear the top of the concrete surface while using water to lubricate the operation. The water reduces friction that occurs as you grind the concrete surface. It also eliminates dust that would otherwise float around the work area as the grinding continues. Lastly, the water acts as a coolant for the grinding disks used in the grinding operation. The fact that these disks encounter less heat and friction means that they can last longer and reduce the overall cost of the procedure.
The wet method, however, comes with its fair share of downsides. The most significant one is the thick slurry left behind when the water mixes with the dust, requiring a thorough cleaning as you grind and polish the concrete surface. This can slow the productivity of your workers.
Dry Method
Just as the name of the method suggests, the dry method of concrete polishing does not require any water or lubricant. Instead, the technique relies on technological advancement on the grinding disks to stand up to the friction and heat generated in the polishing process. Additionally, the machines used in this method also feature dust containment mechanisms to eliminate the dust generated in the process. This allows your concrete workers to focus on the primary objective of polishing your concrete surface and delivering the finish that you deserve.
The downside of the dry method is that you cannot find a vacuum system capable of trapping all the concrete dust generated by the grinding process. Some of the unwanted silica dust may remain on the polished surface and necessitate further minimal cleaning.
Both of these techniques will deliver excellent results for concrete polishing projects. However, the dry method has the edge over the wet process because of the technical advancements involved.