Sutherland’s Trusted Concrete Preparation Specialists
We’ve prepared concrete surfaces across Sutherland Shire for years – from residential garages in Cronulla to commercial warehouses in Miranda. This experience matters because every surface is different, and reading concrete conditions comes from doing the work repeatedly.
Professional equipment: Industrial diamond grinders, high-capacity shot blasting machines, and HEPA dust extraction systems. Not rental equipment – tools designed for contractors who do this daily.
Local service: When you call, we show up. When you have questions during the project, we’re available. No waiting weeks for quotes or callbacks.
Combined services: We prepare surfaces for the coatings we install. This means direct feedback on what works. When preparation is done right, coatings perform perfectly. When it’s done wrong, we see the failure. That accountability keeps our standards high.
Efficient process: We know how long each job takes, bring the right equipment the first time, and don’t waste your time with learning curves or equipment failures.
Why Surface Prep Determines Coating Success
Your coating only performs as well as the concrete underneath.
Laitance removal: That weak surface layer from finishing needs to come off. Coatings that bond to laitance fail fast. We remove it completely so your coating bonds to solid concrete.
Old sealers and coatings: They create barriers even when they look worn out. We remove them completely so new coatings bond directly to concrete, not old coating remnants.
Oil and contamination: It soaks into concrete pores where you can’t see it. Professional preparation opens those pores and removes contamination that stops adhesion.
Surface profile: Too smooth means no grip. Too rough waste coating. We create the exact texture your coating manufacturer specifies for maximum adhesion and performance.
Clean surface: Industrial dust extraction removes particles during preparation. Your concrete is clean when we finish, ready for coating immediately.
Diamond Grinding vs Shot Blasting: Which Method Do You Need
Diamond Grinding Works Best For
Diamond grinding uses abrasive diamond segments that cut through the concrete surface. We use this method for most residential and commercial projects because it gives you control over the finish and produces less mess than other methods.
You’ll see us using diamond grinders on garage floors throughout Sutherland Shire, retail spaces in Miranda, and any indoor area where dust control matters. The process removes thin sealers, opens up the concrete pores, and creates a smooth profile that’s perfect for epoxy and polyurethane coatings. The finish is clean and consistent. We can adjust the diamond grit to create exactly the profile your coating needs – not too smooth, not too rough, just right for maximum adhesion.
Shot Blasting Handles The Heavy Stuff
Shot blasting fires steel shot at the concrete surface using compressed air. The impact removes thick coatings, heavy contamination, and weak concrete layers all at once. This method works faster on large areas like warehouse floors and outdoor spaces. The aggressive profile it creates handles high-traffic commercial areas and outdoor surfaces that need texture for slip resistance.
We use shot blasting when there’s serious contamination – oil that’s soaked deep into the concrete, multiple layers of old coatings, or surfaces that need significant cleaning before any coating can go down.The equipment recycles the steel shot, so we’re not creating waste. The vacuum system collects debris as we
Concrete Surface Profile: Matching Preparation to Coating Requirements
Different coatings need different surface profiles, and this isn’t something you can eyeball – it needs to be measured and matched to the coating manufacturer’s specifications. The coating manufacturer provides specifications, and we create exactly what they call for, removing guesswork and making your coating perform the way it’s designed to.
Surface profile problems we avoid:
- Too smooth means the coating doesn’t get enough texture to grip – it might look fine initially, but adhesion is weak and traffic or temperature changes cause it to fail
- Too rough wastes coating material fills valleys and creates weak spots where the coating is too thin on peaks and too thick in valleys.
- Epoxy coatings generally want medium profiles – enough texture for adhesion without being aggressive.e
- Polyurethane systems often need finer profiles for their specific bonding requirements
- High-build systems handle more aggressive profiles because of their thickness and composition.
Professional Surface Grinding and Shot Blasting Equipment
Professional surface preparation needs professional equipment. The tools we bring to your job in Sutherland Shire aren’t available at rental shops – they’re designed for contractors who do this work every day.
Our industrial diamond grinders use specific diamond segments that cut efficiently without generating excessive heat. Heat damages concrete and creates adhesion problems. Our equipment stays cool while working.
The dust extraction systems aren’t shop vacs. They’re high-capacity units with HEPA filtration that capture fine concrete dust before it becomes airborne. This matters for indoor jobs where dust control affects whether the space stays usable during preparation.
Shot blasting machines fire steel shot at exact velocity, collect it for recycling, and vacuum debris simultaneously. We maintain multiple grit options for both grinding and blasting, matching the preparation method precisely to your surface condition and coating requirements.
What Gets Removed During Surface Preparation
Surface grinding and shot blasting in Sutherland remove more than just visible stains.
Old epoxy and coating systems come off completely. Even coatings that look mostly worn away still have residue in the concrete pores. We remove it all so your new coating bonds directly to concrete, not to old coating remnants.
Concrete sealers are designed to prevent penetration, which means they also prevent coating adhesion. Sealers can be invisible – you might not know they’re there until a coating fails. Our preparation removes them regardless of whether you can see them.
Oil and grease contamination goes deeper than you think. That stain on your garage floor from the last oil change? It’s soaked into the concrete pores. Surface cleaning doesn’t touch it. Grinding or blasting opens those pores and removes the contaminated concrete.
Paint and other surface contaminants are removed down to bare concrete. Whether it’s spray paint, tyre marks, or chemical stains, proper preparation takes it all off.
Weak concrete surface layers get cut away. Sometimes the top layer of concrete is weak from poor finishing, weather exposure, or chemical damage. We remove it to expose solid concrete underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does surface grinding or shot blasting take?
A typical residential garage takes 3-4 hours to grind properly. Commercial spaces depend on square footage and contamination levels – small retail spaces might take half a day, while large warehouses could take several days. Shot blasting is generally faster than grinding for large areas. We’ll give you an accurate timeline after seeing your specific surface.
Can you prepare concrete that has multiple layers of old coatings?
Yes. Shot blasting handles multiple coating layers efficiently, removing everything down to bare concrete in one pass. For thinner coating layers, diamond grinding works well. We assess the coating thickness and condition before deciding which method to use.
Is dust going to be a problem for my business or home?
Our dust extraction systems capture most dust at the source. For indoor projects, we use HEPA filtration and containment methods to keep dust controlled. Many commercial clients stay open during surface preparation because dust doesn’t spread beyond the work area. We can also schedule work during off-hours if that works better.
Do I need to move everything out before you start?
Yes, the area needs to be completely clear. Our equipment covers the entire floor surface, so anything in the space needs to be moved out temporarily. For commercial projects, we can work section by section if you need to keep some areas accessible.
What happens if the concrete is damaged or cracked?
Surface preparation exposes existing damage – it doesn’t create it. If we find cracks, spalling, or other damage during preparation, we’ll let you know right away. Most damage can be repaired before coating. We handle concrete repairs as part of our service, so we can fix problems and prepare the surface all in one project.
Do epoxy floors crack over time?
Properly installed epoxy over stable concrete rarely cracks. Most cracking issues stem from inadequate surface preparation or underlying concrete movement, which is why professional installation matters.
Can you paint over an epoxy floor?
Yes, but it requires specific preparation, including surface abrading and compatible primer systems. However, most retail spaces prefer recoating with fresh epoxy for better durability and appearance.
How long until you can walk on an epoxy floor?
Light foot traffic is typically allowed after 24 hours, with full commercial traffic resuming after 48-72 hours. Complete chemical cure takes about 7 days for maximum durability.
Get Professional Surface Preparation in Sutherland
Professional surface grinding or shot blasting removes everything standing between your concrete and a coating system that lasts decades.
We prepare concrete surfaces across Sutherland Shire with the equipment and experience that makes coatings perform right.
Contact us for surface preparation done properly the first time.
