The gloss is a result of light bouncing off the surface (reflecting). A perfect reflection is created by all the light bouncing back off the surface in exactly the right direction. This can only be achieved by having a perfectly smooth flat surface with no imperfections. Mirrors usually provide an accurate reflection because the glass and reflective film are perfectly flat and smooth.

One other thing to consider is color. White light is created by all the spectrum of colors (the colors of the rainbow). Colour is viewed by our eyes as the part which is reflected. When a source of light (such as the sun) reflects off a surface, almost always some of the colors of the spectrum (rainbow) are absorbed and some are reflected. This is why we see green grass, for example, only the green is reflected and the other colors are absorbed by the grass. A mirror contains a reflective sheet that reflects ALL COLOURS, making a mirror create an almost perfect color reflection. When a surface is bumpy, light is reflected in all different directions which affects the reflection and the ‘gloss’ we speak of.

Generally, there are two ways we can make that surface glossy. One way is to add some new surface material that is smooth, like a clear gloss paint. The liquid paint will fill up all the little bumps and gravity will cause it the surface to spread smoothly. You can test this principle by putting some water on your surface – it becomes instantly glossy because the water fills all the little bumps on the surface and is flat. This is called ‘Coating’ the surface and is a much less labour intensive way of achieving a ‘polished look’. The gloss level needs to be decided on whether it is full gloss (wet look), satin (medium gloss) or matt (dull shine).

Another way is to physically smooth the bumps out of the surface. This can be done by cutting away the surface layer (with a fine gritty product/cream) and buffing it smooth with a wax or filling material. This is known as ‘mechanical honing’. You can test this by getting some polish and applying it most surfaces. Notice after you’ve rubbed and buffed it that the area is more glossy that the surrounding area? This is the ‘true’ process required to polish any surface,  no sealer required , and extremely hardened and densified surface.

The finishes for concrete are endless and every slab has its own uniqueness, that can bring individual charm and style. To make it even more interesting and unique, concrete can be ‘seeded’ with colored aggregate, stainless steel, brass, colored glass, steel bolts coins, and chips of natural stone like marble and granite. Needless to say it is important that any additives like these are placed in such a way that they can be ground to the desired effect without being detrimental to both concrete integrity and the equipment being used to achieve your finish.

You also need to determine what your Clients’ expectations for the amount of aggregate exposure are – (if any). When selecting a polished concrete floor you can choose ,

 

• Burnished top – where the creamy laitance has been heavily mechanically trowelled at time of placement and then densified and burnished with a floor grinder – nil aggreage exposure

• Salt and Pepper Concrete effective – where ther eis only a slight grind to remove a micron of laitance and achieve very minimal exposure

• Quarter Cut – where the aggregate is ground back to expose a light aggregate

• Half Cut – this is when you grind the aggregate through to 50% of the stone being fully exposed