Yes there is a difference.  Epoxy terrazzo can be tricky since the resin can burn. I find it is best to use a diamond designed for engineered stone such as the Alpha EX. Also use plenty of water and avoid high speeds. Although you can get a good polish with a burnisher and monkey pad.<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 6:02 PM, Stuart Young <span dir="ltr">&lt;<a target="_top" href="mailto:santafefc@sbcglobal.net">santafefc@sbcglobal.net</a>&gt;</span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<u></u>





<div bgcolor="#ffffff">
<div><font face="Arial">Fred, </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial">Now that we know how to discern the epoxy based 
from cement based, what can we do with the info. Is one easier 
to restore  than the other? Will one polish easier than the 
other?  I&#39;ve worked on several terrazo floors without knowing the 
base.  How do they differ from a restorer&#39;s point of view?</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial">Stuart </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial">Santa Fe Floor Care</font></div><div><div class="h5">
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT:#000000 2px solid;PADDING-LEFT:5px;PADDING-RIGHT:0px;MARGIN-LEFT:5px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px" dir="ltr">
  <div style="FONT:10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
  <div style="FONT:10pt arial;BACKGROUND:#e4e4e4"><b>From:</b> 
  <a title="fhueston@gmail.com" href="mailto:fhueston@gmail.com" target="_blank">Fred Hueston</a> 
  </div>
  <div style="FONT:10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com" href="mailto:sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com" target="_blank">Restoration and Maintenance</a> 
  </div>
  <div style="FONT:10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 02, 2012 7:20 
  AM</div>
  <div style="FONT:10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> [sccpartners] Did you Know? 
  Epoxy vs Portland Cement Terrazzo</div>
  <div><br></div>Did You Know?
  <div><br></div>
  <div>
  <div>Many of you have asked me how to tell if you are dealing with a cement 
  based terrazzo or epoxy. This at times can be difficult. There are many clues. 
  For example if the terrazzo is old, say pre 1980,s chances are its cement 
  based. Cement terrazzo is more likely to have cracks than epoxy. Even these 
  clues can lead you down the wrong path in identification. So here is sure fire 
  way to tell. Since epoxy is a polymer based resin it is subject to a lower 
  melting point than Portland Cement. You could take a torch to it but that 
  would ruin the terrazzo or you can use the following little trick:</div>
  <div><br></div>
  <div>Take a needle, a safety pin or a dentil tool. Heat the pin till its red 
  hot, dont burn your finger. Once the pin is red hot try probing it into the 
  terrazzo matrix(the spot between the chips). If it goes into the matrix it is 
  an expoxy terrazzo. If not, its Portland...its that simple</div>
  <div><br></div>-- <br>Frederick M. Hueston PhD<br><a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneforensics.com" target="_blank">www.stoneforensics.com</a><br><a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneandtilepros.com" target="_blank">www.stoneandtilepros.com</a>
  <div><a target="_top" href="http://www.safeandcompliant.net" target="_blank">www.safeandcompliant.net</a></div>
  <div><br>Recommended stone care products  <a target="_top" href="http://www.stonecarecentral.com/?Click=2149" target="_blank">http://www.stonecarecentral.com</a>
  <div><br><br>
  <div>Many of my articles can be found at <a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneandtilepros.com" target="_blank">www.stoneandtilepros.com</a></div>
  <div>Listen to my radio show   <a target="_top" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred" target="_blank">www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred</a></div>
  <div>office             <span><a target="_top" href="tel:321%20514%206845" value="+13215146845" target="_blank">321 514 6845</a></span><span dir="ltr"><span> 
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br>Frederick M. Hueston PhD<br><a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneforensics.com" target="_blank">www.stoneforensics.com</a><br><a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneandtilepros.com" target="_blank">www.stoneandtilepros.com</a><div>
<a target="_top" href="http://www.safeandcompliant.net" target="_blank">www.safeandcompliant.net</a></div><div><br>Recommended stone care products  <a target="_top" href="http://www.stonecarecentral.com/?Click=2149" target="_blank">http://www.stonecarecentral.com</a><div>
<br><br><div>Many of my articles can be found at <a target="_top" href="http://www.stoneandtilepros.com" target="_blank">www.stoneandtilepros.com</a></div><div>Listen to my radio show   <a target="_top" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred" target="_blank">www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred</a></div>
<div>office             321 514 6845      </div><div>See my specialty products at  <a target="_top" href="http://www.godrfred.com" target="_blank">www.godrfred.com</a></div></div></div><br>