Toughstuff Industrial Floors

Diamond Grinding, Shot Blasting & Surface Prep
With the exception of perhaps experience and knowledge, a properly and adequately prepared substrate is the most important element of every concrete resurfacing project. 
 
Toughstuff Industrial Floors proudly employs state of the art concrete surface preparation tools to ensure that, whatever the application may be, you can rest easy with the peace of mind knowing that the surface has been optimally prepared to create a lasting, permanent bond.  Industry wide it is recognized that diamond grinding and shot blasting are the two premier methods for surface preparation, as noted by reviewing the technical data sheets and installation guides for nearly every product on the market today.  Mechanically cleaning and profiling the substrate is more effective than acid etching and eliminates the potential for failure that improperly neutralized acid etching presents.  Furthermore, acid etching is ineffective in the presence of existing coatings, adhesives, sealers, etc., while aggressive diamond tooling handles even heavy removal with relative ease.  Toughstuff features a large stable of both diamatic diamond grinders and shot blasting equipment to handle jobs of every size and scope. 

In addition to diamond grinding and shot blasting our own flooring projects, Toughstuff offers these services to other flooring contractors, general contractors, homeowners and do-it-yourselfers; anyone who lacks the means, the time, or both, to perform this crucial step in every concrete resurfacing project. 

Beyond just mechanical removal, cleaning and profiling, Toughstuff offers full substrate preparation so that all you have to do is show up and start applying your finishes.  This ranges from making superficial repairs like filling cracks and spalls to complete removal and replacement of substandard concrete slabs.

Toughstuff also owns a concrete scarifier and a concrete 'shaver' for jobs involving heavy removal. 

Please contact Toughstuff if you would like to learn more about mechanical surface preparation, or to receive a free estimate or price quote for these services. 

Diamond Grinding
A wide array of diamond tooling available for diamond grinders allow these machines to be versatile in use.  Capable of both heavy coatings removal and high-polishing, at Toughstuff we've found that most use of these machines falls somewhere in between.  For surface preparation, diamond grinding is superior to shot blasting for thin finishes like thin-mil epoxy and urethane coatings and cement micro-topping.  Often times the existing substrate conditions prevent even the most experienced operator of shot blasting equipment from leaving a striped patterned effect typical of the shot blasting process; a pattern that may easily transfer through the thin finish and create a permanent undesirable effect.  Diamond grinding allows for more control over the ultimate surface profile.

Shot Blasting
Shot blasting is the fastest, cleanest, most economical method of mechanical surface preparation available.  It is a mechanical etching process that cleans and profiles concrete substrates to achieve an optimum surface for bonding of industrial and commercial grade coatings, cementitious overlays and toppings, etc.  The shot blaster is actually comprised of two machines; the motor driven blast unit with a magnetically sealed blast chamber, and a large dust collecting vacuum.  The steel shot blasting media recirculates through the blast chamber while the dust and debris are whisked to the dust collector; a virtually dust free system.  HEPA filters may be added to the dust collector to provide an even greater degree of return air filtration for stringent air quality applications.  Due to the striped blast pattern effect typical of shot blasting, it is not recommended as the method of prep for thin-mil coating systems or thin cementitious micro-topping systems especially where removal of existing coatings, adhesives, etc. is required.  Shot blasting through existing coatings, adhesives, etc. exacerbates the striped blast pattern effect, greatly increasing the probability of unwanted transference through the new system.  Toughstuff recommends diamond grinding as surface prep for thin-mil coatings and micro-toppings.  Toughstuff's shot blasting equipment is set up to run on 480 volt, 3-phase electricity, which we're able to provide ourselves with our fleet of tow able generators.