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Grind and Seal vs Polished Concrete

What’s the difference – and which one’s right for your project?

Grind and seal. Polished concrete.

They get spoken about like they’re the same thing – but from a process, tooling, and long-term performance point of view, they’re worlds apart.

At Auskut, we deal with this conversation every day. Contractors, builders, architects and homeowners all want the right finish – but more importantly, they want it done efficiently, profitably, and without call-backs.

This guide breaks down the difference and shows how Auskut supports you at every step – from tooling and machines to coatings, densifiers, and on-the-ground advice.

What Is a Grind and Seal?

A Grind and seal is a lighter mechanical process followed by a protective coating.

The process:

  1. Concrete is ground open using metal-bond diamonds
  2. Surface is cleaned and prepped
  3. A penetrating or topical sealer is applied to deliver sheen and protection

Why customers choose it

  • Faster turnaround
  • Lower upfront cost
  • Clean, modern finish
  • Ideal for residential and light-commercial spaces

Where Auskut adds value

This is where poor advice can cost real money. The wrong grind level or incompatible sealer can mean:

  • Peeling
  • Hot-tyre pickup
  • Patchy finish
  • Full regrind to fix it

Auskut helps avoid that by supplying:

  • Correct bond diamonds matched to the slab
  • Grinders, edge tooling, and dust extraction that keep jobs clean and compliant
  • Tested sealers and densifiers, with clear guidance on when (and when not) to use them
  • Counter advice from people who’ve seen jobs go wrong – and helped to fix them

Grind and seal works best when the system is matched properly – not guessed.

What Is Polished Concrete (Mechanical Polishing)?

Polished concrete is a full mechanical refinement of the slab itself.

No coatings. No shortcuts.

The process

  • Progressive grinding through multiple metal stages
  • Slab hardened with densifiers
  • Scratch refinement using resin polishing systems
  • Final burnishing for clarity and durability

Why it lasts

  • The shine is in the concrete, not on top
  • Densified slabs resist wear, dusting, and marking
  • Minimal long-term maintenance

Where Auskut fits in

This is where having the right tooling, machines, and process knowledge makes or breaks profitability.

Auskut supports polished concrete contractors with:

  • Planetary grinders and edge machines sized correctly for the job
  • Full metal and resin systems, colour-coded and slab-matched
  • Densifiers and surface treatments that actually suit Australian concrete
  • Hands-on advice to avoid overworking slabs or burning diamonds

Polished concrete isn’t forgiving – but done properly, it’s one of the strongest, cleanest finishes you can sell.

Grind and Seal vs Polished Concrete – The Real Difference

FeatureGrind and SealPolished Concrete
Grinding depthLightDeep, progressive
Shine sourceSealerConcrete itself
Upfront costLowerHigher
MaintenanceRecoat requiredMinimal
DurabilityModerateHigh
Traffic toleranceLow–MediumHigh
Best forHomes, quick jobsCommercial & premium builds

The Most Common (Costly) Mistake

Treating grind and seal like polished concrete – or vice versa.

We see it all the time:

  • Over-polished slabs sealed incorrectly
  • Under-prepped floors blamed on coatings
  • Diamonds burning out because the slab hardness wasn’t identified

A quick conversation at the Auskut counter often saves days of rework and thousands of dollars.

Why Contractors Use Auskut

Auskut isn’t just a product supplier. We’re a support system.

  • Diamond tooling matched to Australian slabs
  • Machines that suit real job sizes – not sales hype
  • Dust control solutions that keep you compliant
  • Coatings, densifiers, and sealers that are actually compatible
  • Staff who speak plainly and back it up with experience

Whether you’re quoting a budget grind and seal or a high-end polished concrete floor, we help you choose the right system the first time.

Both finishes have their place. The difference is knowing:

  • Which system suits the job
  • Which products actually work together
  • How to avoid expensive mistakes

That’s where Auskut delivers real value – not just in what we sell, but in how we help you use it.

If you want to sharpen your process, improve margins, or spec the right setup for your next job, talk to the Auskut team before you turn the grinder on.