Is It Better to Polish Concrete Before or After Painting Walls?

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Polish First or Paint First? Here's the Right Sequence

Timing matters in construction — especially when you’re combining polished concrete floors with freshly painted walls. Get it wrong and you risk dust contamination, splatter, or even damaging your polished finish. So, what’s the best order? In most cases, polish first, then paint. Here's why.

Why Polishing Should Come First

Concrete polishing creates a lot of dust and requires heavy machinery, even when using extraction. Doing it after painting often leads to wall marks, abrasions, or fine dust settling on new paintwork. It’s cleaner and more efficient to polish first, then seal up the space before decorating.

  • Grinders and edgers can easily scuff fresh paint
  • Fine dust from polishing ruins painted finishes
  • Wet polishing can splash slurry onto skirting and lower walls

When You Might Paint First

In rare cases, if you're doing full spray work or staining ceilings and upper walls before flooring is accessible, painting might happen first. If so, you must mask thoroughly, use durable primers, and accept that touch-ups will be needed post-polish.

  • Painting ceilings or soffits before scaffold comes out
  • Feature walls where base coat is sprayed early
  • Fast-track jobs where floor work is delayed

Professional Sequence for Best Results

The best approach is to finish all structural work, polish the concrete, and only then move on to final wall finishes. Protect your polished floors during painting with soft sheeting and non-marking tape. Don’t use aggressive adhesives that can etch the finish.

  • Polish floors before final wall paint
  • Prime and paint after floors are sealed
  • Mask base edges with painter's tape and foam if needed

FAQs

What happens if I polish concrete after painting walls?
You risk dust settling into the paint, grinder marks on lower walls, and accidental slurry splashes. It often leads to costly rework or touch-ups — especially on light-coloured or satin finishes.
Can I protect my walls during polishing?
Yes — use temporary sheeting or plastic barrier film on finished walls. Edges and corners can be protected with foam tape or painter’s edging pads, but nothing beats doing it in the right order.
Does the type of concrete polish affect the timing?
It can. Dry polishing produces more airborne dust than wet methods, so wall protection becomes even more critical. Regardless of method, polishing before painting is still the best sequence.
What about touch-ups after floor polishing?
Light touch-ups are usually needed around skirting or corners. Use a small roller or brush and avoid dripping onto the floor. Always wait until the sealer has fully cured before doing any wet work nearby.

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