Concrete Polishing 101: Steps, Tools & Best Practices

Polishing concrete floor with Husqvarna grinder

Polished concrete is sleek, strong, and seriously in demand. From big-box stores to boutique retail and breweries, clients love its durability, shine, and low maintenance.

But as any contractor knows—polishing is a process, and shortcuts = swirl marks, uneven gloss, or failed densification.

If you're adding polishing to your services or want a quick refresher, this guide covers the key steps, tools, and pro techniques for a smooth, consistent finish every time.

Step-by-Step Concrete Polishing Process

1. Prep the Surface

Polishing doesn’t hide anything—it highlights everything. Start with:

• Diamond grinding (metal bond tools, 30–70 grit)

• Crack repair and joint fill (use a polishable filler like Metzger McGuire)

• Surface cleaning and vacuuming

⚠️ Do not polish over sealers, coatings, or contaminants. If it’s been sealed or painted, remove it entirely.

2. Grind in Stages

Progressively work your way up the grit ladder. Typical progression:

Step	Grit Range	Bond Type
1	30/40	Metal
2	70/80	Metal
3	100/120	Transition
4	200–400	Resin
5	800+ (Optional)	Resin

🧠 Match your bond to the concrete hardness: soft bond for hard concrete, hard bond for soft.

3. Densify

Apply a lithium- or sodium-based densifier after your transition pass (usually after 100–120 grit).

• Use a sprayer or mop applicator

• Let it soak and react per manufacturer guidelines

• Burnish or buff if required

Why it matters: Densifiers harden the surface, making it more scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and glossy.

4. Final Polishing

Resin pads bring out the shine. Go as high as your client needs:

• 400 grit = matte/satin

• 800 grit = semi-gloss

• 1500+ grit = high-gloss/mirror finish

Add stain guard or polish protector for high-traffic environments.

Recommended Tools for Contractors

• Grinders: Husqvarna PG 450 / PG 680 depending on project size

• Dust Extractors: High-CFM vacuums with pre-separators

• Tooling: Metal and resin bond diamond pads, transition tools

• Application Gear: Densifiers, guards, sprayers, microfiber pads

🎯 We carry it all—and can help you bundle equipment + chemicals for your exact system.

Pro Tips for a Better Finish

1. Keep tooling clean and sharp—clogged diamonds ruin finish quality.

2. Vacuum between every pass—leftover grit = scratches.

3. Control water if wet polishing—too much = slurry mess.

4. Watch your RPM—slow and steady wins the gloss.

5. Lighting matters—check for missed spots from multiple angles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping grits (don’t jump more than 2 steps)

• Not applying densifier correctly or at the right time

• Polishing over dust or residue

• Rushing through final passes

• Overheating pads (causes swirl patterns and burn marks)

Conclusion

Concrete polishing is part art, part science—and 100% worth doing right.When done properly, it delivers beautiful, durable, low-maintenance floors that wow your clients and keep your crew’s calendar full.

Whether you’re just getting started or polishing full-time, PNW ECS has the grinders, pads, densifiers, and support to help you do it better.

📍 Stop by Fife or Sandy for Concrete Polishing Supplies

We’ll walk you through the grit progression, match your pad system, and help you avoid the most common pitfalls.