How to Strip a Concrete Floor With an Electric Floor Buffer

Stains on concrete can be lifted with a floor buffer.

The concrete floor in your basement or garage can take a lot of abuse, and over the years the concrete will begin to reflect this wear and tear. Stains, scratches, pitting and other damage will ruin the look of the concrete, and for severe staining and damage, the only way to restore the concrete is to strip the old protective coating and top layer and refinish it. This stripping procedure can be done with an electric floor buffer as long as you properly equip the tool to do the job.

Things You'll Need

• Floor buffer
• Scrubbing pad
• Degreaser or solvent cleaner
• Close-toed shoes and goggles
• Hose
• Wet/Dry vacuum

Instructions

1. Check to make sure the floor buffer is not plugged in; do not plug in the buffer until you are ready to start the job.

2. Attach a rough scrubbing pad onto the buffer. Find these pads from the same retailers or rental stores from which you can find the buffer. Follow specific product instructions regarding attaching the pad, as different manufacturers have different requirements for this procedure.

3. Spread a degreaser or solvent cleaner, such as mineral spirits or a professional concrete cleaner, over the surface of the concrete with a push broom. Work the cleaner over the whole surface. This will loosen the top layer of protective coating and make it easier to strip away.

4. Plug in the buffing machine. Wear closed-toed shoes, since you will be walking in the cleaning solution. Also wear goggles to keep cleaner out of your eyes.

5. Start in one corner of the room and activate the buffer. Guide the buffer slowly forward; do not work quickly or the scrubbing pad will not be able to remove the coating.

6. Work in parallel lines across the floor, slowly guiding the buffer along. Work until you have covered the entire floor and deactivate the buffer.

7. Rinse the concrete surface with clean water from a hose to remove residual cleaning solution and small particles of coating.

8. Vacuum all water and cleaning solution away with a wet/dry vacuum. Allow the floor to dry overnight and inspect the surface. Repeat the stripping procedure if needed to get deeper into the floor; this will vary depending on your goal.

Tips & Warnings

• Find buffers and tools for the buffer at tool rental or supply shops. Some hardware and home improvement stores will also carry these tools.

References

• Stonekor Propane, Concrete and Janitorial Equipment: Buffing Your Concrete Floor
• Garage Epoxy Productions: How to Remove Grease and Oil From Concrete Floor