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Polished concrete and concrete overlays offer a stunning, durable, and low-maintenance flooring option but like any surface, they need proper care to stay looking their best.
Whether you’ve installed a TRU PC , SP or TRU Self-Levelling overlay, or you’re working with a fully polished concrete floor, this complete guide covers:
- Daily and long-term polished concrete maintenance
- How to repair minor damage or wear
- Best products for cleaning and protecting your floor
- What to avoid ensuring your polished surface lasts for years
Let’s break down the best practices for keeping your concrete floor in top condition.
How to Maintain a Polished Concrete Floor
Routine maintenance is key to preserving the shine, strength, and stain resistance of your polished concrete surface.
Daily and Weekly Cleaning Tips
Use a pH-neutral cleaner like Rejuvenating cleaner and a microfiber mop or an auto-scrubber with soft pads. Avoid harsh chemicals or acidic products, which can dull the shine or damage the surface.
Tips for routine care:
- Sweep or vacuum daily to remove grit and dirt
- Mop regularly with warm water and pH-neutral floor cleaner
- Clean up spills immediately to avoid stains or etching
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Stick with pH-neutral cleaning solutions specifically formulated for polished concrete. Avoid anything acidic (like vinegar) or high-alkaline degreasers unless the floor is being deep cleaned and re-sealed.
Recommended products:
How to Repair Polished Concrete Floors and Overlays
Even the most durable floors can suffer from wear, scratches, or minor damage, especially in high-traffic commercial or retail environments.
How to Repair Small Holes, Chips or Pinholes
Use a grouting slurry or surface refinement grout like Metzger/McGuire Refloor or GM3000 or SRG to fill micro-defects, pits, or pinholes. These products bond with the floor and can be polished flush with the surface.
Steps:
- Clean the area thoroughly
- Apply grout or filler evenly
- Allow to cure
- Mechanically polish or burnish to blend the repair, starting at 100g and moving through the stages.
Repairing Cracks in Polished Concrete Overlays
For structural cracks or deeper damage, you may need to:
- Chase the crack with a diamond blade
- Fill with a flexible epoxy or polyurea joint filler (e.g., Metzger McGuire Rapid Refloor)
- Sand flush once cured using the Blaze pad
How to Protect and Extend the Life of a Polished Concrete Overlay
Apply a Concrete Floor Sealer or Guard
While densifiers harden the concrete, guards and sealers provide surface protection against stains, chemicals, and wear. Reapplying guard every 12–24 months can rejuvenate gloss and protect the floor.
Recommended guards/sealers:
- Ameripolish SR2/SR2 WB for a penetrating sealer
- Ameripolish 3DSPE for a topical sealer
- Smart Floor Shield for ultimate protection
Regular Burnishing to Maintain Shine
High-speed burnishing with a diamond impregnated pad (e.g., Boride 1500–3000 grit) restores gloss and improves reflectivity without damaging the surface. Do this monthly in high-traffic areas.
What to Avoid When Maintaining Polished Concrete Floors
To keep your polished concrete or overlay in prime condition, avoid the following:
- Acidic or alkaline cleaners (they damage the surface chemistry)
- Wax-based products (they cause build-up and reduce breathability)
- Over-wetting the floor (especially with overlays like TRU SL)
- Dragging heavy equipment or furniture without protection
- Letting spills sit, especially oils, acids, or dyes
Pro Tips for Maintaining TRU Concrete Overlays
If your floor was finished with Rapid Set TRU PC , SP or TRU Self-Levelling follow these additional best practices:
- Always test your cleaner in a small area first
- Use compatible products (TRU overlays are cement-based and require breathable sealers)
- Polish to desired finish (matte, satin, or gloss) using resin pads
Maintain or Restore? When to Call the Professionals
If your floor has:
- Deep gouges or cracking
- Widespread dullness or etching
- Sealant failure or colour fading
…it may be time for a professional restoration. At Smart Floor UK, we offer expert guidance on product selection, equipment hires, and surface restoration systems. You can also do it yourself. Get in touch for expert advice or help selecting a contractor from our trusted network.
Need the Right Tools or Consumables?
At Smart Floor UK and our sister company, Multi-Hire Power Tools, we stock everything you need to clean, maintain, and repair polished concrete floors:
Diamond pads
Sealers & densifiers
Surface grouts
Auto scrubbers & burnishers
TRU overlay consumables
Polished concrete cleaners
Polished concrete repair products
Concrete polishing machine hire and sales
Plus, we offer full training and technical support to help you get the most out of your polished concrete system.
Want to Learn More?
Call us or visit our shop
Hire equipment or order products online
Watch our YouTube training guides
Keep your floor flawless with help from the concrete polishing experts at Smart Floor UK
For more information on How to Maintain, Repair, and Look After a Polished Concrete Floor or Overlay talk to Smartfloor UK