Concrete Polishing

• Pads - [1]
• Amazon - [2]. Hook and loop means velcro attachment of pads.

• 9 Days to polish -

• Polished vs epoxy -

Sourcing

• Orbital sander pads - [3]
• Use 6 of these at one time mounted to a common bar, if you have open space to work with. Each is under 4 lb, so 24 lb total + mounting bar. 3A each for a total of 18A
  • Hercules- [4]
  • Bauer - [5]
  • Performax - Menards $31 - [6]
• Start with bulk grinding of rough spots - [7] - using a regular grinder:

• Start with 50 grit dry - $10 for one - [8]

Diamond Cups

• Come up to 9" grinder size - [9]
• $44 for 7" - [10]
• $33 for 7" [11]
• $7.40 - [12]

How to Use an Orbital Sander

• 15 seconds per foot travel rate:

Lessons:

• collect dust, so you don't get larger abrasive spots from dust clumps
• Go slow - pigtails will shrink
• Calculations - if 15 seconds per foot, we have 39 passes lengthwise for one passthrough - meaning 1248 feet - meaning 5.2 hours per 500 sf pad. Save 20% by not doing under stairs and cabinets, you have 4.7 hours per pass. 5 sander gang gets that down to 1 hour. Definitely could use a holder for 6-10 sanders. If they can be ganged - that would be awesome.
• Don't skimp on the grits - go up more slowly, which is actually faster.
• Get the dust out - it clogs the sandpaper, and dulls it faster as you need to do more work
• Get extra velcro pads
• Store sander with pad on, so you don't flatten velcro hooks.

Other Options

• Good thread - [13]
• Car polisher will work, and so will a variable speed grinder with diamond pads.
• Get this grinder with variable speed can be found elsewhere cheaper. [14]. Pads - [15]. Pad holder - http://www.toolocity.com/4-back-holder-rigid.aspx
• HF variable speed polisher 1 - $44 - 10A - [16]
• High speed concrete/steel abrasive pads - 4" - only $6 for 5 - [17]
• 7" diamond pads are much more expensive - 800 grit for one - $30 - [18]
  • 7 piece for $60 [19]
  • $22 for one - [20]

Concrete Countertop Details

• Includes filling voids with epoxy binder + concrete, then sealer, then wax, and silicone between slabs to fill in cracks.

Going Pro

• 22", 12 pad sander - 500-1000 sf/hr rate - [21]. If there are 8 grind steps - that is a whole day job for 500 sf.
• 15 amp - 11" width. [22]