Wet Sanding Concrete

The simple and fast way to do this is to use a wet diamond polishing disc (100 grit or 200 grit) attached to a regular random orbit sander. Simply spray some water on the concrete to get it wet, and “sand” the surface using the diamond disc to abrade away the burnished surface.

How to Sand Concrete

To achieve a perfect finish and a smooth concrete surface, you must follow the proper concrete sanding process. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to sand a concrete surface.

1. Prepare the Surface

The first step is to inspect the surface and prep it before polishing. Remove any bumps by chiseling, remove dust and debris, and fill up any holes on your concrete surface.

2. Divide Your Working Area

If you are working on a large area, divide it into separate zones and work on attaining a uniform finish in each zone instead of a consistent finish on the entire region.

3. Use the Orbital Sander

Connect your water hose to the sander and apply pressure to the surface to get a uniform finish. Ensure you keep the sander level and use a constant water supply. You can also perform the sanding manually though it may take longer and not produce the desired results.

4. Clean the Surface

After the first sanding pass, you can clean the surface by vacuuming or using a sponge.

5. Repeat the Process

If you have not achieved the desired results, use finer-grade sandpaper till you achieve the desired results.

6. Protect the Surface with a Finish Product

After sanding, allow your concrete surface to dry. After drying, you then need to apply a finish product such as concrete sealant to protect the concrete surface from wear and tear. The sealant also protects the surface from spills and stains.

How to Sand Concrete Floors – Maintenance

If you want to take a look at a more in-depth articles on concrete floor grinding, polishing and maintenance, click here. Otherwise here is a quick summary of steps that you should take to maintain your concrete floors:

• Regularly clean the floor with a microfiber pad that keeps the potentially damaging dirt particles away from the surface.

• Always use clean water and clean mops on the floor.

• Use neutral floor cleaner specially formulated to protect sanded concrete floors.

• Clean the water, coffee, tea, and soft drink spills as quickly as possible otherwise;, they can leave a strong stain.

• Give the cleaner enough time to destroy the grime and other damaging substances.

Wrap Up

Today, sanding concrete floors is a common practice among homeowners. Perfectly sanded concrete floors look way better than fancy stones and woodwork. However, sanding concrete must be done professionally.

If you plan to sand your concrete floor, take this write-up as a reference guide and follow the steps mentioned here. It’ll help you get properly sanded concrete floors. Hopefully this article answered your question of how to sand concrete floors. We have a few more in-depth guides on concrete floors which can be found here.

When Do You Sand Concrete?

There are a few times where you may be asked to sand concrete on a job. Lately, it's often for interior surfaces. You can sand concrete to achieve a polished, sophisticated look. Sanded concrete can create a very modern, high-end look for an industrially-styled space.

This may be applied to floors in office buildings or modern homes. Another great place to integrate sanded concrete into home decor is countertops. Sanding concrete counters to a high shine is how you can instantly elevate them - for a fraction of the cost of granite or marble.

It may also be time to sand concrete if you are removing a finish or looking to apply a new coat of finish. As paint, epoxy, and polyurea garage and basement floor sealants become more popular, you may end up sanding concrete to prepare for this.

Sanding concrete can help you get rid of imperfections as well. If a garden wall has chipped or the patio has gotten stained, sand to remove the blemish. Make sure to sand the entire surface at once for a consistent texture. This is a good tip to remember during concrete installation.

How Do You Smooth Out Rough Concrete?

These are the 4 steps in how to smooth concrete after it dries:

1. Remove all imperfections on the surface.

2. Vacuum up all debris and apply the adherent.

3. Apply a new layer of concrete.

4. Sand the surface and wash the concrete.

5. Apply a layer of vitrifier to protect the concrete.