Once your concrete slab has been densified and honed to 400 grit, you're ready for high-gloss polishing. Using 800, 1500, and even 3000 grit resin pads, you’ll progressively refine the surface into a smooth, light-reflective finish. But this isn’t just about running finer pads — everything from tooling pressure to dust control affects the final result. This guide explains how to polish concrete to 800 grit and beyond for a consistent, professional gloss finish.
You should not move beyond 400 grit unless the floor is fully densified and free from swirl, haze, or skip marks. The surface should already have a tight, matte sheen. Vacuum thoroughly and inspect with overhead light — any flaws here will be magnified in the final gloss finish.
Use quality 800 grit resin-bond diamond pads suited to your grinder. Wet polishing at this stage improves clarity and keeps the surface cool, especially on darker mixes. If polishing dry, increase vacuum efficiency and keep your pads clean between sections. Heat and slurry contamination reduce gloss.
Run slow, overlapping passes (30–40% overlap) in both directions — first north/south, then east/west. Maintain medium pressure. Don’t rush — let the pads do the work. You should see the matte finish gradually brighten. If streaks or dull lines appear, slow down or replace pads as needed.
Use matching grit hand pads along walls, corners, and columns. Feather 150–200mm into the main slab to avoid dull edges. Edges often appear cloudy if skipped — and the difference becomes painfully obvious at 1500+ grit.
After your 800 grit pass, clean with microfiber mop or auto-scrubber. Check under raking light for swirls, streaks, or low-gloss spots. These are signs of pad glazing, uneven pressure, or leftover slurry. Don’t progress to finer grits until the surface reflects light evenly and feels smooth to the touch.
Swap to 1500 grit resins and repeat the same slow, overlapping passes. At this stage, the slab should start showing true reflectivity — you’ll see outlines of ceiling lights or windows in the surface. Keep the slab clean between passes. A hazy or ghosted finish usually means you skipped a scratch or let pads load with residue.
If maximum gloss is the goal, finish with 3000 grit pads. These polish the already-refined surface into a glass-like shine. Use low pressure and move slowly — this pass is about bringing out reflectivity, not removing material. Consider using a guard product or burnishing pad for final enhancement.
Some contractors burnish the final surface using high-speed propane or electric burnishers with polishing pads. This tightens the pore structure and brings up even more shine. Be careful not to overheat or scorch the surface. Test a small zone first — especially if a guard product was applied.
After polishing, you may choose to apply a concrete guard or penetrating sealer. These don’t affect gloss but help protect the surface from spills, oils, and stains. Use sparingly and follow manufacturer instructions. Excess guard can reduce clarity or leave a film if not properly burnished.
If you'd rather skip the stress and get a flawless concrete floor polished by professionals, we’ve got you covered. From precision prep to polished perfection — we handle it all.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation quote on polished concrete flooring:
Or fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you with honest advice and a competitive quote.