How to Remove Concrete Scars

Concrete is one of the toughest household surfaces but it's not immune from scarring. Concrete scars -- shallow imperfections caused by hard objects or long-term wear and tear -- are permanent unless you take aggressive action. The equipment you need to smooth out your concrete may not be in your home tool shed, but you can rent it from a home and garden center.

Broom
Concrete grinder
40-grit grinding wheels
80-grit grinding wheels
Wet/dry workshop vacuum
Concrete polishing compound
Microfiber mop
800-grit polishing pad wheels
1,500-grit polishing pad wheels

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep the concrete floor to remove dirt and debris.
- 2
  Attach 40-grit polishing wheels to a concrete grinder as directed by the manufacturer. For a full floor job, a walk-behind grinder is the most effective; for a small patch on a floor or a wall, use a hand-held grinder.
- 3
  Place the machine on the concrete so the grinding wheels make contact. Turn on the grinder. Immediately start to move the grinder in a back-and-forth motion and move the grinder across the surface. Move fast enough that the grinder doesn't leave swirl marks. When the area is even, turn off the grinder.
- 4
  Replace the 40-grit grinding wheels with 80-grit wheels. Grind the entire surface again.
- 5
  Vacuum the concrete dust with a wet/dry workshop vacuum. Sweep up any remaining dust.
- 6
  Remove the 80-grit grinding wheels and replace them with polishing pads. Polish the floor with the same technique as with the polishing wheels. For a glossy shine, start with an 800-grit polishing pad, apply a coat of polishing compound with a microfiber mop and switch to a 1,500-grit to finish.

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