LEVELS OF CONCRETE POLISHING
Download Table and Sheen Level PDF
|
LEVEL |
GRIT |
SHEEN LEVEL |
ABRASIVE PASSES |
APPEARANCE |
GLOSS READING |
|
1 |
Below 100 |
None to very low |
4 |
Flat. Floor has little if any reflectivity. |
N/A |
|
2 |
100 to 400 |
Low to medium |
5 |
Satin or matte appearance with or without slightly diffused reflection. |
40-50 |
|
3 |
800 and higher |
Medium to high |
6 |
Semi-polished. Objects being reflected are not quite sharp and crisp, but can be easily identified. |
50-60 |
|
4 |
High |
7 |
Highly polished. Objects being reflected are sharp and crisp, with mirror-like clarity. |
60-80 |
Level 1 (Flat)
A level 1 ground polish usually can be obtained by stopping below the100-grit resin bond. When you look directly down at the floor, it will appear somewhat hazy with little if any clarity or reflection.
Level 2 (Satin)
A level 2 honed polish is obtained by stopping at the 400-grit resin bond, producing a low-sheen finish. When you look directly down at the finished floor and at a distance of roughly 100 feet, you can start to see a slight overhead reflection. This grit level produces a low-luster matte finish.
Level 3 (Semi-polished)
A level 3 polish is achieved by going up to an 800-grit or higher diamond abrasive. The surface will have a much higher sheen than that of level 2 finish, and you’ll start to see good light reflectivity. At a distance of 30 to 50 feet, the floor will clearly reflect side and overhead lighting.
Level 4 (Highly polished)
This level of polish produces a high degree of shine, so that when standing directly over the surface, you can see your reflection with total clarity. Also, the floor appears to be wet when viewed from different vantage points. A level 4 polish is obtained by going up to a 3,000-grit resin-bond diamond or by burnishing the floor with a high-speed burnisher outfitted with specialty buffing pads.
