The Benefits of High-Speed Buffing of Finish Coats

By Chris Sullivan – ChemSystems, Inc.

Question:

Will there be a difference in gloss and durability when applying finish coatings with a high-speed buffer instead of a roller or mop?

Answer:

A high-speed floor buffer will bring out the maximum gloss in floor
finishes.

If you want the optimum performance and gloss from a finish coating, applying it with a high-speed applicator (a machine with a rotary head that spins at a minimum of 2,000 rpm) is the way to go. Here's why: Most commercial-grade finish coatings used on interior decorative concrete floors are wax-modified acrylics—a blend of mostly hard acrylic with a smaller portion of softer wax. When a sealer or finish coating is applied, the solids cross link to form a film. The greater the amount of cross linking, the harder and desnser the coating. If a finish coating is applied with a roller, lamb's wool applicator, or mop, the film that forms exhibits minimal cross linking. When the finish is applied by a high-speed applicator or burnishing applicator, the heat generated actually melts the wax resin, which results in better cross linking, a tighter surface film, and a deeper level of gloss (known as "thermo-gloss"). One source for high-speed buffing equipment and floor finishes is Surtec (http://www.surtecsystem.com/).

Find Concrete Sealers