Concrete Polishing Basics, Coloring Concrete, and Stone Style Edges

[@tboney2866]

Wow. You’re the only one I found to fully explain wet polishing process. Is this something I can do in the kitchen and basement? Has can I protect from water and/or collect the water?

[@jessezepeda3990]

Thank you for making these Videos bro! You are a very detailed and polished person...no pun intended!

[@markotto4516]

You “rock” with your concrete! Can you do a video discussing thickness, minimal thickness, lightening methods, strength, etc? Like a 10 minute video on what you can and cannot get away with would be great. Wish you only the best - well done videos.

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks! Great ideas, I'll have to incorporate that into a future video. Cheers!

[@artsychowroamer2952]

Im confused....can I use a hook and loop style dry sander to polish my concrete tops? The regular sanding pads didn't seem to do much and the diamond pad I bought is leaving marks that I dont like....are the diamonds just too far apart or am I just supposed to use a wet method or what? My top is not looking as good as I want. If I can buy a better diamond pad what grit do I want to use to smooth out everything including any stains, scratches or marks?

[@urosbreznikar1384]

Awesome tutorials! I am trying to make exposed aggregate polished concrete sink.. Do you have any tutorials on how to grind and polish sink inside as it has a lot of hard to reach corners?

[@tboney2866]

I’m just starting my project. Going to do a a bar top in place in the basement first. Did you get any advice how to protect and/or collect all the water?

[@bof5984]

Hey Pete thanks for the vids man! been watching them last few weeks while redoing my house and they have helped a ton. Now I see you went to Maui!!! Wish I would have known could have showed you some sweet places while you where here! If you come back and want to see some off the tourist path places drop me a line!!

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Steve! Thanks for the kind words man! Darn if I would have known I'd definitely have reached out! I even stopped at the Home Depot by the airport to check out the differences. Concrete is about twice the price in Hawaii I found. And it was fun to see some of the more common materials used out in Maui. Next time I head that way I will let ya know, would be fun to get a little more off the beaten path. Have a great weekend Steve!

[@bof5984]

+DIY PETE Ya man they say it's the price of living in paradise lol. Anything heavy costs a lot to ship here.

[@DIYPETE]

+Steve Kowalik Haha :) I seemed to notice that! I think it's worth it to pay more to be in a place you want to be! Cheers

[@rhwoodshop]

I just love your concrete tops. Very nice and informative. Gathering a lot of info from these.

[@DIYPETE]

+Rock-n H Woodshed Thanks Drew, if you ever want to do a YT collaboration on a wood base / concrete top project give me a holler! And I can't wait to see what you make out of concrete for a first concrete top project - cheers!

[@khaleeh372]

Hi great job New subscriber from Paris 🇫🇷 👍👌✌️

[@chimeric7774]

Best info on the subject. Great video.

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks!

[@lglee1989]

Pete, thanks for the tutorial. You mentioned that if dry sanding with an orbital sander you wouldn't use normal sanding pads. Would you use the diamond pads that you used with the polisher on an orbital sander, or is there another type I should get to polish concrete with the orbital? Thanks again

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! If dry sanding with an orbital sander I do use normal sanding pads. However, you won't be able to expose large aggregate that way / cut through glass etc. And its a bit harder to get the edges perfect if larger aggregate is in the mix. A normal sander will do a good job still and a polisher is not necessary if you don't have one. You can still get a great completed countertop. A polisher can expose the aggregate and can give you a higher sheen if you get to an 800-3000 grit.

[@lglee1989]

DIY PETE so an orbital sander would make the surface look more uniform like a garage floor? Thanks for the reply!

[@758Dino]

How long should I let the concrete cure before polishing?

[@theatlantafalcon7410]

At what point in the process of polishing a concrete countertop would i stop to apply my stain for color , if I polish to a 1500 grit will the concrete still absorb the stain?

[@KendraYKnight]

Great video! Thank You for sharing your knowledge.

[@DIYPETE]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daniellauruska5189]

Does the 50 grit grind down the aggregate/rocks and stones too or do I have to be careful to grind too much and the rocks will stick up? Thanks

[@DIYPETE]

Yep, a diamond pad will grind down everything evenly. So the aggregate / rocks will be even with the rest of the surface.

[@robertsmasonry968]

Great video Pete! Thanks!!! Could you do a video describing your thoughts on different sealer types. I have a sealer that I use for outdoor work is that the same type of sealer you use? Or are their specific dealers for specific indoor finishes or shine?

[@servant74]

A bit on cloth forms might be great. Some can generate wonderful organic or geometric shapes and different textures.

[@DIYPETE]

+servant74 Thanks!

[@simonsmith5377]

Hi Pete, how do you ensure that the concrete is level post grinding, is it done with the eye or a level? Great job.

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Simon! If you do the reverse cast pour the concrete is going to be perfectly level on top. The post polishing really removes so little that it stays level. You can tell by eye for sure -- and after starting to polish you will get the hang of it in just a few minutes to see how it works.

[@justinballard4710]

Pete - I love your videos, very informative. Question on filling the pin holes; Do you use a mix of just the cement powder from the quik crete bag and add some polymer? What have you found is the best method for filling in those voids?

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Justin, I buy portland cement and mix it with acrylic fortifier to get the best bond. For larger holes I add some fine sand.

[@SpeedysWoodshop]

Great video as always!!! How do you calculate the amount of concrete you will need on a project? Thanks

[@kevinhays8652]

Great work Pete, thank you.

[@DIYPETE]

+Kevin Hays You bet Kevin, as always thanks for watching!

[@dimascuevas5834]

Great vid and tips! Thanks Pete!

[@DIYPETE]

+Dimas Cuevas You bet Dimas!

[@kennethgrose2366]

Dimas Cuevas

[@yipyurples]

Nice work man! do you have any advices for vibrating concrete in the best way posible?

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! A concrete vibrating table is the best option but that is an investment and not completely necessary. Otherwise you could use a pencil concrete vibrator --- or shake the table up and down and tap on the sides similar to how I show it done in most of my concrete project videos. Cheers!

[@jimcbroyles]

The link to the polisher was a different one than I saw in this video. Which one do you recommend?

[@jimcbroyles]

Makita and Hardin? I think?

[@davidsvoboda216]

Hi Pete, If I want to make cement pavers should I follow your direction of making a concrete table top?

[@DIYPETE]

+David Svoboda Hi! You certainly can, just on a smaller scale. And you won't need to fill holes or spend as much time on the finishing process. Cheers!

[@presse55]

Pete, your vids are simply great, and I just can't wait to get my first concrete counter top project going. Do you have comments regarding the use of 4" versus 5" pads? Ron, Montreal, Canada

[@DIYPETE]

Ron, I would definitely recommend 5" pads as they cover more area, speeding up the process. If you are looking to buying them they are a much better deal online than at a hardware store. Here are affiliate links to the pads that I usually recommend: 5" polishing pad set amzn.to/2vXBbsW 5" backer pad amzn.to/2uubZMJ Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@thomasdelgado4080]

I would like to see how it looks when you use the orbital on it. I have concrete counters. and want to do it but no videos how it looks. or how to do it the right way. hope you can take the time and make a video.

[@DIYPETE]

+Thomas Delgado Hi Thomas! Most of the videos I've done show the orbital sander method. Here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4vclomGetaVfJo - and if you have time check out my concrete playlist as well - most of them use the sanding method. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJTSn2CFntukqZY Hope that helps and take care Thomas, thanks so much for the great questions, and good luck with your upcoming projects!

[@thomasdelgado4080]

+DIY PETE thanks. Awsome great video as always

[@DIYPETE]

+Thomas Delgado Thanks Thomas!

[@todd636]

Great videos. Between the different grits, does the top "haze" over as it dries. When you get to the 1500 grit, when it is dry, does it look glossy? Or does that happen with the sealer? Thanks!

[@DIYPETE]

If you clean and polish off the top with a cloth it would look pretty smooth after the 1500 grit. However it would not have the same glossy sheen that you get with the sealer. Cheers!

[@MarineToMeadows]

great video as always!

[@DIYPETE]

+Nathan Samuelson Thanks Nathan, I appreciate you taking the time to check it out and to say hi. Have a great weekend man!

[@danielanderson1396]

Great update

[@baloooification]

hey Pete, I just poured a concrete table top, and it came out very rough and lumpy on the bottom and sides. Will a polisher with low grit diamond pads be able level all the high spots down? This is a big, heavy table that I don't want to scrap so I'd just like to proceed with caution and know I'm taking the right next step. Thanks for your time, Cheers.

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! So the underside is bumpy? The top that you'll see is smooth but maybe has voids? Did you pour it in a melamine mold? Let me know on those answers and I'll do my best to help! :) Cheers!

[@baloooification]

Yes the underside of the table, which is facing up in the mold, is lumpy. I didn't skim the top after I poured it :/ The actual top of the table feels nice and smooth, although there are definitely voids. I just want to smooth the bottom before I flip it over. Thanks for your time Pete !

[@DIYPETE]

I see! Thanks for the info. So --- I do like to have the bottom smooth as well. Especially a couple inches in around the entire perimeter so when people feel the underside it has a nice smooth and professional feel. -- A sander won't do much --- but a diamond polisher will -- I use a wet polisher with 50 or 100 grit diamond pads to smooth things out and then finish up with 200 on the underside ( if there are rough spots ). Don't forget to seal the bottom as well. Cheers!

[@iowamatt2519]

baloonification, rent a 7" grinder and put a diamond cup wheel, easiest and fastest way to smooth it out. Mix a portland cement up and rub it in the voids and then sand it.

[@thetacticalagenda875]

The Hardin polisher has some very bad reviews on Amazon. How has it held up for you? Is this your primary polisher? I'm a bit weary. Need some advice please

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! My primary Polisher is a Makita with a 5" backer pad and pads. I'd recommend the Makita for quality. It's more expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

[@ivanchavez7185]

Muy interesante.... un subtitulo en español para todos tus subscriptores de Peru..

[@DIYPETE]

Thank you for the idea.

[@Vegimite007]

Next episode you could build some concrete steps for that back door.

[@DIYPETE]

Yeah I could use some steps for sure :) -- It is to a closet and crawl space so I don't use it too much. I might just do some wood steps to make it a quick and simple project. Cheers!

[@dfrm139]

hey pete I know its still January but when it gets nice out my bud has an outside kitchen with concrete tops. Its actually right out in harrison, im sure you know where thats at. i live in bozeman but graduated from there. any who...the top was poured last summer. it was never polished or stained so its been sitting out all winter and im pretty sure he never covered it up! i was gonna ask if you have any tips or is there anything we should be aware of before we finish it this summer?

[@DIYPETE]

+Dylan McGurk Hey Dylan! Yep, I've certainly been through Harrison and go to Harrison Lake a couple times in the summer. That's cool you a Bobcat alum! Did the countertops get sealed last summer? No matter what, it will be great to polish, stain, and seal it up again. It will be the standard routine, not much different vs polishing early on. Feel free to send me a photo of the counters as the time gets closer, and I'll take a look at them to see if there are any tips that might be specific to your project. Hope all is well! Maybe we'll bump into each other sometime at the Home Depot in Bozeman. Cheers!

[@dfrm139]

+DIY PETE no...im not bobcat alum. i moved here about 4 years ago and started building houses! i was just cruising through some of your vids yesterday and thought id ask if theres much difference after a season. the top looked nice. I think they may have polished it but im not sure if they sealed it? I'll be sure to send some pictures your way. Its hard for me to find the time to do projects so i have to help other people with theirs haha! but i really enjoy your videos for the ideas and advice. keep up the great work!!

[@DIYPETE]

+Dylan McGurk Hey Dylan! Very cool. Are you a general contractor in town then? Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching the project videos! Yeah, as long as you polish through the sealer, do an acid stain, remove the residue, and re-seal you should be good. And if you run into any questions please holler, I've refinished outdoor tops etc and it goes pretty smoothly. Cheers!

[@dfrm139]

Nice..thats how i thought it would go! Im just always looking for pro tips haha. I'm actually working right under a GC. Fortin Construction.We build a lot of town homes and pick up some customs every now and then

[@huntleyhoemann6276]

How long is recommended to allow the concrete to cure before polishing

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Huntley! I like to have the PSI (strength of the concrete) cure for a day or 2 after it is removed from the mold. This way it isn't sandy or soft while polishing.

[@Hrryady]

Video nya bagus sekali.apakah anda memakai obat untuk memolesnya?

[@therareperspective5555]

This is exactly what I've been looking for. Do you mind sharing what speed you used for your polishing pads? I haven't been able to get a glossy top when trying this technique.

[@wimm1392]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@DIYPETE]

You are welcome!

[@mickeyhendren]

Would you polish prior to acid stain or vice versa?

[@DIYPETE]

+mickeyhendren You'll want to polish first, then acid stain.

[@americanhomefitnesssterlin857]

You would probably not use acid stain and just use a water-based stain. If you polish first though, the pores are closed and won't receive color.

[@nextgen1235]

Also if you cant afford or cant find a mould its can be scored and chissled a cm from the front.

[@thomasconlin5486]

Do some lathe projects +DIY PETE

[@DIYPETE]

+Thomas Conlin Hey Thomas! thanks for the idea. I can honestly say I haven't done much on a lathe before. Have you?

[@thomasconlin5486]

+DIY PETE I just bought a small shop fox and have turned one bowl blank and a few pens

[@DIYPETE]

+Thomas Conlin That's really cool! Are you learning the basics pretty quickly and easily? I've always thought it would be a blast to get good at it.

[@thomasconlin5486]

+DIY PETE It's pretty easy to pick up even though I have a lot to learn but I find it really relaxing.

[@DIYPETE]

+Thomas Conlin Thanks for the inspiration Thomas! I'll have to give it another try. Cheers!

[@martinblouin3639]

what are adequate sealer to use?

[@DIYPETE]

+martin blouin You can usually use stone / tile sealers / granite counter sealers available in the tiling isle. I've had success with them. But it is real tough to find something that is food safe. I use this sealer for the majority of my indoor projects: amzn.to/1UccUp4 - It works well and is food safe. You can use the wax Cheng also makes to add additional protection.

[@jahidshumon6609]

5 years later the sealer will become weak.Then what will happen on the concrete surface?

[@DIYPETE]

Apply new sealer.

[@nathankoury322]

Are diamond cup wheels universal. If I purchase the Hardin from the link you had will I have trouble finding the cup wheel since it doesn't include one?

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Nathan! I don't typically polish or use diamond cup wheels to finish my counter tops -- just the diamond pads on a 5" backer that goes on the wet polisher. Did you mean getting the backer piece? Or an actual cup wheel? Thanks!

[@deounb]

Very informative, especially this garbage bag lol. Cheers!

[@DIYPETE]

Ha, yeah it's cheap and ya don't need to wash it :) thanks! Cheers back at ya and have a great weekend!

[@FabioFerreira-wz8sf]

Yeeee boy

[@TheHayes32]

A less expensive way to create the rock like edge on your concrete is to line the interior sides of the concrete form with "pink" fiberglass insulation.

[@DIYPETE]

+TheHayes32 I've never thought about trying fiberglass insulation, but will have to do a little experimenting. Are you able to lay out the insulation so it is able to get nice ridges etc? Do the fibers ever get stuck / embedded in the concrete?

[@TheHayes32]

+DIY PETE actually I have never actually tried it and I should have elaborated on it more earlier. I believe that it was on a KZbin video that I saw the fiberglass technique used so it maybe find through a quick search. From what I remember, yes, the ridges came out very natural looking from just the lining the mold with the fiberglass. No particular set up needed. The weight of the concrete just crushes the fiberglass against the mold and the irregularly form the rock like edge. However, you are correct there is a little work with a write brush to remove some suck on fiberglass after demolding the form. maybe give it a shot. It would most likely make a good video even if it fails. keep up the great work.

[@DIYPETE]

+TheHayes32 Thanks! I might have to try it to say I did :) Cheers!