A concrete floor is considered properly polished when a concrete densifier has been applied to rejection. Using diamond abrasive tooling alone is not enough for durable polished concrete. Application of a densifier is a must-do step. The use of concrete densifiers is highly recommended when maintaining polished concrete floors with diamond floor pads.
After using these pads, clean the floor with a slightly alkaline cleaner and water. This will suspend the particulate that was removed during the pad process, break the surface tension and allow you to check the water absorption. If water penetrates and darkens the concrete, so will all other liquids that the floor is exposed to. When a polished concrete floor absorbs water, it is a clear sign that the concrete should be redensified. or, a conditioner (protector/guard) be applied, although conditioner should not be used over guard coatings or stain protection.
Desnifying concrete creates more calcium silicate at the surface, which hardens the concrete, prevents further abrasion and degradation, and makes the floor easier to clean and maintain.
