If you want epoxy or polyurethane to last, the substrate has to be right. That starts with concrete grinding Sydney to remove contaminants, open the surface, and create a profile that coatings can actually grab onto.
Why Surface Prep Makes or Breaks a Floor
Epoxy and polyurethane don’t fail because the product is “bad.” They fail because they can’t bond. Dust, curing compounds, paint overspray, oil, and laitance act like Teflon. Grinding removes these barriers and exposes sound concrete, so the coating keys are mechanically inserted instead of just “resting” on top.
The Right Profile: CSP Matters
Resin manufacturers specify a Concrete Surface Profile (CSP), usually in the 2–3 range for most epoxy primers and polyurethane systems. Grinding with the correct diamond sequence creates that micro-texture deep enough for adhesion and smooth enough for even film build. Skip this and you’ll see issues like peeling, fisheyes, or uneven gloss.
Moisture & PH: Don’t Trap a Problem
Moisture vapour emissions and high alkalinity can push coatings off the slab. Before grinding, test moisture (MVER or in-situ RH) and check pH. After crushing, re-test representative areas. If readings are high, add a moisture-tolerant primer or mitigation system, which is cheaper than redoing the floor in six months.
Diamond Selection & Passes
Hard concrete: Use softer-bond diamonds so the segment sheds and keeps cutting.
Soft concrete: Use harder-bond diamonds to reduce premature wear.
Edges, Joints, and Details
A common failure point is the perimeter. Use edge grinders along walls, columns, and under shelving where large machines can’t reach. Chase cracks and movement joints, then repair with compatible fillers before your final pass. The goal is a uniform profile from edge to edge.
Wet vs. Dry Grinding
Dry grinding pairs with HEPA dust extraction for clean, fast work and easy inspection of the scratch pattern.
Wet grinding can control airborne dust in sensitive areas, but creates slurry that must be contained and properly disposed of.
Choose based on site constraints, but always maintain visibility of the surface so you don’t over- or under-cut.
Dust Control & Safety
Silica dust is a health and compliance risk. Use shrouded tools, H-class vacuums with automatic filter cleaning, and fit-tested respirators. Tape and seal adjacent areas, and plan traffic flow to keep finished sections clean before coating.
Quick Readiness Checklist
Concrete cured and structurally sound
Moisture and pH within system tolerances
Coatings/adhesives entirely removed
Uniform CSP across the field and edges
Temperature and humidity in spec for the chosen resin
Clean, vacuumed slab right before priming
What Happens When You Skip Grinding?
You may save a day upfront and lose the floor later: blistering, hot tyre pickup, premature wear, or adhesion failure that forces a complete removal. Proper grinding turns a risky coating into a durable system with predictable maintenance.
Trained crews use the right diamonds, dust control, and CSP targets for your specific resin system; they eliminate the root causes of failure: poor adhesion, trapped moisture, and uneven profiles. In short, professional grinding ensures your coating bonds chemically and mechanically to clean, profiled concrete, so the floor performs longer with fewer call-backs and lower lifetime cost.
Ready to get a coating that actually lasts? Talk to our team about professional concrete grinding Sydney services and start your epoxy or polyurethane project on solid ground.
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