Surface Preparation for Decorative Concrete | Page 2 of 3

Surface Preparation

When staining, installing an overlay, repairing or recoating a concrete slab, surface prep is a critical step in the process to ensure the material successfully bonds to the surface. Skipping this time-consuming essential first step usually spells disaster.

Mechanical, Chemical or Water: Which Prep is Right For the Job?

Surface Preparation Vol. 17 No. 2 - February/March 2017 by K. Schipper Comments are Disabled

With today’s ever-changing technology, it’s critical to stay on top of your options to achieve the concrete surface profile (CSP) recommended by coating manufacturers and to choose the right equipment for surface preparation.

Surface Preparation is the Critical First Step for All Concrete Jobs

There is no shortage of information, or opinion, when it comes to surface preparation for applying coatings or overlays. Read any technical data sheet for a topping or coating and it’s almost always the first thing discussed. Words like critical, must, essential and required are often found in the guidelines dealing with surface preparation.

How to Prep a Surface for a Cementitious Microtoppings

Tips & How-Tos Surface Preparation Vol. 6 No. 4 - August/September 2006 by Mike Dawson Comments are Disabled

In case you had any doubts… surface prep is everything. The most important thing about a microtopping is what lies underneath.

Diamonds Grinders for Concrete Surface Prep

Tools & Equipment Concrete Polishing Surface Preparation Vol. 6 No. 6 - December 2006/January 2007 by Steven H. Miller, CDT Comments are Disabled

The word "diamonds" is inevitably associated with the concept of "big bucks," but like many other things about diamond grinding, this is something of a misconception.

Testing Concrete Slabs for Moisture

Surface Preparation Vol. 18 No. 8 - November/December 2018 by K. Schipper Comments are Disabled

Technology continues to do its part to turn working with concrete from an art into a science. Take the matter of moisture in concrete slabs.

Proper Preparation Helps Concrete Overlays Stay Strong

Concrete Repair & Restoration Surface Preparation Concrete Overlays & Toppings Vol. 10 No. 7 - October 2010 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

The decorative overlay industry has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, and so has the number of failures and problems related to overlay installations.

Carefully Removing Glues and Epoxies Before Polishing

Concrete Polishing Surface Preparation Vol. 13 No. 2 - February/March 2013 by Virgil Viscuso Comments are Disabled

Prepping a concrete floor for polishing is one of the most difficult tasks we face in this industry. We cannot be aggressive like we can when prepping for a coating system, because there will be no coating to cover up the deep scratch patterns. We must take care to remove the surface materials while causing as little damage as possible to the concrete. We must be aggressive while being cautious.