Smoothing Rough Concrete

Rough concrete can be very difficult to work with. Not only does it limit you to the types of tools that can be used to apply an epoxy coating, but it will also add hidden square footage to the project making it very difficult to estimate material usage costs.
Applying Pond Shield epoxy over a smoother surface will yield a much better coverage rate and be easier to accomplish. Look at the video Evaluating Concrete to determine what type of concrete surface your project has.
Rough areas can easily be cleaned up using an angle grinder with a flexible coarse disk. A disk that is 24 or 36 grit will effectively cut down any high spots on the concrete surface and leave it in a much better shape than it started out as.
Be sure to wear protective eye and face wear. Small chips of flying concrete can be dangerous.
www.pondarmor.com
800-716-1545

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

@Don Vandervort - Calicum in the pores of the concrete cannot be removed via grinding. Acid etching dissolves that instead. Calcium will also fall off over time and if your coating is attached to it, then when it falls off, so does your coating.

[@rellik187redrum]

Repaired a crack in my garage floor last fall completely drunk and put way too much ,I'm going to rent a sander and 24 grit.

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

Use Pond Shield non toxic epoxy for the interior and whatever color outdoor paint for the exterior. www.pondarmor.com/shop/pond-shield-non-toxic-epoxy-coating-quart-kit-1-5-qt/

[@loughlinstanley]

Nevermind the grinder, I really love the music in this video. I makes me want to grind concrete. Where did you find this absolutely soothing music?

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+loughlinstanley Glad you liked that. I cannot remember but it may have been through a subscription with my Pinnacle software I used to use while editing videos. They had sound bites that could be adjusted to almost any length video.

[@758Dino]

How long should I let the concrete cure before polishing it?

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

Sorry, your comment got stuck in Admin. Normal concrete should cure 28 days and polymer types of concretes or quick concretes should cure 7 days.

[@tonytorres2774]

hello, what is the exact model of the coarse disk that you are using? where can i buy it? thanks

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

That all depends on the grinder you are using. There are various sizes, but if you search Amazon for example, for "8 inch sanding disk 5/8 arbor" or "8 inch diamond cup", those work well too. Just change the size to the size of your grinder, like 4 inch or 10 inch.

[@tonytorres2774]

PondArmorEpoxy I have a 4 1/2 grinder, i am just trying to fix some samll rough areas of my stamp concrete, need something flexible like the one you use on the video so that is just smooth the area, i found the diamond cup but they look like they will go deep?? Is this one similar to what you have on the video?: www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW8308-2-Inches-8-Inches-Zirconia/dp/B000BPC2PU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402946293&sr=8-2&keywords=4%2F1+inch+sanding+disk+grinder thanks for you Help

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

Tony Torres Yes, that one will work just fine. Make sure it is pretty coarse so that it cuts what you want quickly.

[@773steve]

what blade should i ask for at the store i need to remove tar on a basement wall to find the leak iam trying to fix i bought a regular thin mason blade but dose not cover that much space i have a 4 1/2 angle grinder

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+773steve Well a cup disk would probably work best for you. Any type of flexible disk might fill up after grinding tar and you'd probably have to purchase a bunch of those. Donald Ferracci below left a link to a good cup disk.

[@773steve]

Okay thanks

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+773steve You're welcome!

[@donaldferracci]

What's the best disk to use on smooth concrete? I would like to sand down an 8" x 12" area on a concrete ceiling about 1/4". I'm trying to fit a floor-to-ceiling cabinet in a corner space so the finished area doesn't need to look pretty; it will be concealed by the cabinet. Thanks.

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+Donald Ferracci Well any flexible very coarse disk will work if you want to avoid gouging the concrete. If you're trying to shave the concrete, then you might even switch to a cup disk. Those have blades on them that will cut a lot faster and remove a lot more concrete at one time.

[@donaldferracci]

+PondArmorEpoxy Thanks! I was wondering if this Double Row Diamond Cup Wheel was right for the job and it sounds like it is. www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4-in-Double-Row-Diamond-Cup-Wheel-HD-AWD40/202884364

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+Donald Ferracci That's exactly what I would use.

[@cardett75]

what kind of abrasive is that, is that aluminium oxide, ceramic ?? what kind is it

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

Frankly i did not check. I simply chose one that seemed to last the longest given the punishment I was about to give it.

[@constantdarkfog49]

Hi, PondArmorEpoxy I'm building a new finished basement. The floor is a ground level concrete slab. The slab is in very good condition. My problem is I plan on installing ceramic tile using thinset, but need to I guess etch the surface of the concrete, as if I do the water puddle test the water does not absorb cleanly into the concrete. This slab was carpeted for over 25 yrs. How could I clean it up that is safe too etch the surface with ( really clean it up nice for good bond with the thinset? Greatly appreciate any help. Thank you, Chuck

[@PondArmorEpoxy]

+Chuck Pestacchi Hi Chuck, you can read about how to apply tile to the coating correctly here: www.pondarmor.com/how-to-use-glazed-tile-in-your-pond/ As far as making sure the acid etching is done properly, I'd ask you if there is anything on the concrete right now. You said there used to be carpet there. Is there glue on the concrete at this point? If there is, you'd need to clean that up before acid etching. Acid etching is always the last prep step you do. Also, please give me a call at 800-716-1545 and I'll be happy to discuss the details of your project with you, if needed.

[@constantdarkfog49]

+PondArmorEpoxy Thank you very much appreciated. I pulled up all the old carpet months ago, reframed the whole basement, drywalled the whole basement, it's coming along nice. The carpet glue spots are very few, I'll be sure scrape & clean them up, thank you, Chuck

[@loughlinstanley]

Thanks!