Polishing Tools

 

Is this going to make my floors slippery?

When used correctly, Diamabrush applications actually make your floors safer and more slip-resistant. Slip Coefficient of Friction is better on clean, polished concrete than on unpolished concrete.

How long do the blades last?

Polishing tool blade wear varies based on the coarseness of the concrete and the quality of the machine being utilized. The estimated blade life by grit below is while restoring a floor to a high-gloss finish.

    • 25 grit removal tools will last 10,000-15,000 square feet per disc
    • 25 and 100 grit (our Concrete Prep and Prep Plus tools): 25,000-35,000 square feet
    • 50 grit polymer tool: 60,000 square feet
    • 100 grit tool: 75,000 square feet
    • 200 grit tool: 85,000 square feet
    • 400 grit tool: 100,000 square feet
    • 1,000 grit* tool: 150,000 square feet in restoration.

     
    *Note: When the operator is in the maintenance phase of the Diamabrush process (just cleaning daily), the 1,000 grit blades will last 8-10M square feet.

    How do I know my floor is prepped and ready to be polished or coated?

    You’ll know your floor is prepped when it’s a uniform white color. You shouldn’t see any of the swirls from the tool.

    What is my starting grit?

    There are three different starting grits for polishing  – 25 grit Concrete Prep, 100 Grit Concrete Prep, and a 50 grit Polymer. Consult with a local Diamabrush representative to determine which one is right for you.

    Do I need to do any other prep work before polishing the floor?

    We recommend soaking the polymer blades for 24-72 hours in room temperature water to ensure the blades are flexible, ensuring longer a blade life.

    How fast should I push the floor scrubber?

    Push your scrubber at a casual walking pace of 1.5 mph.

    What is the difference between Diamabrush and diamond pads?

    While diamond pads are also used to polish floors, they have a few limitations. First, they’re more expensive to maintain. Depending on the price and wear life, the annual maintenance cost of diamond pads can range from $0.10-$0.25 per square foot, while maintenance costs using Diamabrush range from $0.01-$0.06 per square foot. Additionally, diamond pads often require a chemical sealer which adds to the cost and requires frequent recoating.

    Secondly, Diamabrush blades last longer than diamond pads. Our blades’ life expectancy is up to 5,000,000-8,000,000 square feet, whereas diamond pads’ lifespan is about 50,000-100,000 sq. ft.

    Our tools are also more versatile than diamond pads. Diamond pads are woven and can easily clog with dirt, stone, salt, and other debris that can scratch and damage a concrete surface. Our tools flex and can be used on more challenging floors with uneven joints, small bolts, and eroded concrete areas. Diamond pads are fragile and can spin off the scrubber, or be torn when hitting uneven joints, bolts, pallet racks, or rough areas of concrete.

    Removal Tools

     

    diamabrush coating removal tool

    I’m using the removal tool with the buffer – why is it jumping around on me?

    You may not be using the tool on a flat surface. Start by using our removal tool on a flat concrete surface that has already been cleaned, slowly moving from side to side over the surface that requires removal. For optimal results, keep the tool half on the clean concrete and half on the substance you’re trying to remove.

    Does it matter whether I run it wet or dry?

    In terms of effectiveness, it doesn’t matter whether you run it wet or dry, but you get better blade life if you run it wet. Another advantage to running the tool wet is there’s virtually no dust.

    Why is the removal going slowly?

    The Diamabrush Coating Removal Tool works very effectively on thin-film coatings.  If a coating is 20+ mils thick, the removal process will significantly slow down. For faster removal of thick coating systems, use the Diamabrush Concrete Hand Tools.

    Prep Tools

     

    When do I know that it’s done prepping my floor?

    Your floor will be prepped when it’s completely smooth and a uniform color. The 25 grit prep and removal tools leave a CSP (concrete surface profile) of 2-3.

    Hand Tools

     

    How do I remove the hand tool from the hand grinder?

    Use a 1″ wrench or socket on the central hub of the tool, press and hold the lock button, and rotate counter-clockwise to remove the hand tool from the grinder.

    What is the optimal RPM speed for the angle grinder?

    Use an angle grinder that is 11,000 RPMs or less.  The faster the RPMs, the quicker the removal, but the less life you will get on the blades.

    How many mils of coating can be removed with the Diamabrush Hand Tools?

    The Concrete Hand Tools will remove up to 100 mils of coating.

    What’s the life of the hand tool?

    The estimated life of the 4.5” Concrete Hand Tool is up to 1,500 sq. ft..

    The estimated life of the 7” Concrete Hand Tool is up to 3,000 sq. ft..

    Keep in mind that the life of the tool will vary based on the coating you’re trying to remove and the hardness of the concrete.

    Sand & Recoat Tools

     

    How is this tool different from the other applications?

    The Sand and Recoat Tools are for recoating epoxy, where the goal is to create scratches in the existing epoxy so that the new epoxy will strongly adhere. There are 2 different tools you can use depending on the type of recoat.

      • 50 grit –  Use the 50 grit polymer tool when applying a coating that is between 5-30 mils.
      • 100 grit –  Use the 100 grit polymer tool when applying a coating that is between 2-5 mils.

       
      For surfaces with non-slip coating, such as quartz or aluminum oxide, we recommend using either the 25 grit or 100 grit metal concrete prep/plus tools. Consult with your local Diamabrush representative to find out which starting grit is right for you.

      What is the life of the Sand & Recoat blades?

      The Sand & Recoat blades will last up to 100,000 square feet on a floor with a smooth or orange peel surface.

       

      Deep Scrub Tools

       

      How do I know which grit level to start with when using the Deep Scrub tools?

      Similar to the Sand & Recoat tools, you’ll use the 50 grit, 100 grit, and 200 grit tools, with your starting grit depending on how much build up your floor has. For heavy buildup, start with the 50 grit blade. For medium buildup, start with the 100 grit blade. For light buildup, start with the 200 grit blade.
      What is the life of the blades?

      Blade life of our Deep Scrub tools will vary based on what is being removed from the floor and how coarse the concrete is. The estimated blade life is approximately 150,000 sq. ft..

       

      Hardwood Tool

       

      Will the hardwood tool remove aluminum-oxide?

      Yes, our hardwood tool will remove an aluminum-oxide coating from hardwood floors.

      Do I need to sand after using the Diamabrush hardwood tool?

      Our tool contains 50 grit diamonds, and as such, we recommend following your typical sanding progression, depending on the hardness of the wood and your specific refinishing process.

      Can hardwood tools be used on decks? And vice versa?

      We do not recommend using the hardwood tool on your deck because it’s too large for wooden boards, causing the blades to get caught in the gaps of the boards, which can damage both the wood and the blades. We designed the 4.5″ Wood Decks and Siding tool to specifically address that problem. Our deck tool, however, can be used indoors to reach corners, stairs, and small spaces.

      Terrazzo

       

      diamabrush coating removal tool

      Can Diamabrush tools be used to polish terrazzo?

      Yes, Diamabrush tools can be used to polish both cementitious-based and epoxy-based terrazzo.

      Decks & Siding Tool

       

      When using the deck tool, do I need to do any further sanding afterwards, or can I go straight to putting on a coating?

      No further sanding should be required if you’re applying a solid coating. If you wish to put down a semi/transparent coating, we recommend using 60/80 grit paper prior to staining.

      Can I use the Wood Decks and Siding tool inside?

      Yes! Use the deck tool on interior hardwood floors to reach corners, stairs, and smaller spaces.

      What is the life of blades on the Wood Decks and Siding tool?

      Our Wood Decks and Siding tool typically lasts up to 1,000 square feet, though blade life will vary based on what is being removed and the condition of the wood. Removing coatings with non-stick aggregates will shorten the blade life, as will protruding nail or screw heads that come into contact with the blades.

      How do you get between the boards?

      It can be difficult to remove the coating between the boards.  We recommend using a 5-in-1 scraper or a Dremel diamabrush wood deck and siding toolMultimax machine to get into those tight areas.

      What’s the optimal RPM speed for the angle grinder?

      The optimal speed is 6,000-11,000 RPMs.

      Can I get replacement blades?

      No, the blades are not replaceable on our deck tool.

       

       

      Still have questions? Get in contact with a Diamabrush representative.