# Concrete Honing, Grinding and Polishing > Concrete grinding uses diamond-tipped machinery to flatten, clean and profile a concrete slab, and is the shared first stage behind honed, polished and burnished floors as well as preparation for coatings. - **Provider:** Industrial Concrete Grinding and Cutting PTY LTD (ICGC) - **Page:** https://icgc.com.au/concrete-grinding-polishing-honing/ - **Service area:** Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern Rivers, Australia - **Phone:** 0408 709 770 ## Key facts - Concrete grinding levels uneven surfaces, removes coatings and adhesive, and profiles slabs for polishing, epoxy or other finishes. - ICGC runs Husqvarna planetary grinders with continuous dust extraction. - Edge grinders are used to reach perimeters and corners a planetary machine cannot. - The same grinding stage precedes honed, polished and burnished finishes. The finish is decided by how far the grinding continues. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is concrete floor grinding? Concrete floor grinding uses diamond-tipped machinery to flatten, clean, and profile a concrete slab. It is used to level uneven surfaces, remove coatings and adhesive, and prepare concrete for polishing, epoxy, or other floor finishes. We provide concrete floor grinding across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Northern Rivers. ### How long does concrete grinding take? Most residential rooms (20 to 40 sqm) take one day. Larger residential jobs take two to three days. Commercial and industrial floors vary depending on the area. We confirm timing in your quote so you can plan around it. ### Can you grind over existing coatings or paint? Yes. Our diamond grinders remove paint, epoxy, polyurethane, adhesive residue, and most other coatings. We grind back to clean concrete, then prepare the surface for whatever comes next. ### Is your concrete grinding process dust-free? Standard grinding produces significant silica dust. We use portable industrial vacuum extraction connected directly to our grinding machinery, capturing dust at the source. This keeps the site cleaner, protects everyone's health, and makes us suitable for occupied or partially occupied buildings including apartments, retail tenancies, and healthcare facilities. ### What is polished concrete? Polished concrete is a mechanically refined floor finish produced by grinding the concrete slab with progressively finer diamond tooling, from as coarse as 25 grit up to 3000 grit. A lithium-based densifier is applied during the process, reacting chemically with the concrete to create a harder, denser surface. The sheen comes from the concrete itself, not a topical coating, which is why polished concrete cannot peel or delaminate. ### What polished concrete finishes are available? Polished concrete finishes range from cream polish (minimal aggregate exposure, smooth and subtle) through salt and pepper (fine aggregate visible, the most popular residential finish) to medium exposure (larger stones visible) and full aggregate reveal (maximum stone exposure for a bold statement floor). Grind and seal is a more affordable alternative using a topical sealer instead of full mechanical polishing. ### What is honed concrete? Honed concrete is a concrete floor finish produced by grinding the surface with diamond tooling to create a smooth, matte-to-satin appearance. Unlike full polished concrete, honed concrete has a lower sheen and a more natural, understated look. It can expose varying levels of aggregate depending on how deep the grinding goes, from a clean cream finish to exposed stone. Honed concrete is popular for living areas, pool surrounds, driveways, and patios across Gold Coast and Brisbane homes. ### What is the difference between honed and polished concrete? Honed concrete is ground to a smooth, low-sheen finish using diamond tooling up to around 200 to 400 grit. Polished concrete goes further, typically to 800 to 3000 grit, producing a high-gloss reflective surface. Honed finishes look more natural and understated, while polished concrete has a mirror-like sheen. Both are durable and low-maintenance. Honed concrete is often chosen for outdoor areas and modern interiors, while polished suits commercial spaces and high-end open-plan living. ### What colours and finishes are available with honed concrete? The colour of honed concrete depends on the aggregate and cement mix in your slab. Common finishes include cream honed (minimal aggregate exposure), salt and pepper (fine aggregate visible), and full exposed aggregate (larger stones revealed). Colours range from light cream and sandy tones through to darker greys, depending on the aggregate. We can do a test grind on your slab to show you exactly what the finished result will look like before committing to the full job. ### Do you remove tiles as well as grind concrete? Yes. We remove tiles and mechanically grind off all adhesive residue until the slab is genuinely clean and ready for the next finish. That is the difference between a surface that is stripped and one that is actually ready for tiling, polishing, honing, epoxy, vinyl, or timber. Most concrete grinders do not offer tile removal. We do. ## Related pages - [Honed Concrete Floors](https://icgc.com.au/honed-concrete/): Matte to satin ground finish. Grit levels, indoor and outdoor use, honed versus polished. - [Polished Concrete Floors](https://icgc.com.au/polished-concrete/): Mechanically polished floors. Cream polish through to full aggregate reveal, densifier process. - [Burnished Concrete Floors](https://icgc.com.au/burnished-concrete/): Cream-level ground and sealed finish. Comparison against honed and polished, cost drivers, limitations. - [Dust-Free Concrete Grinding](https://icgc.com.au/dust-free-concrete-grinding/): HEPA-filtered extraction, silica control, and working in occupied buildings. ## Contact - Phone: 0408 709 770 - Email: admin@icgc.com.au - Request a quote: https://icgc.com.au/get-a-quote/ - Based in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, serving Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern Rivers, Australia