i saw one of the concrete polishing guys try to polish dry last year...he melted the epoxy..couldnt see the rocks...i must say that i dont like epoxy terrazzo polished, the rocks and the epoxy dont polisy out the same..I would say take it to 400 than put a guard on it and it will look great

From: Fred Hueston <fhueston@gmail.com>
To: Restoration and Maintenance <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:00 AM
Subject: RE: [sccpartners] Did you Know? Epoxy vs Portland Cement Terrazzo

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.

On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 6:02 PM, Stuart Young <santafefc@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Fred,
 
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've worked on several terrazo floors without knowing the base.  How do they differ from a restorer's point of view?
 
Stuart
Santa Fe Floor Care
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 7:20 AM
Subject: [sccpartners] Did you Know? Epoxy vs Portland Cement Terrazzo

Did You Know?

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:

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

--
Frederick M. Hueston PhD
www.stoneforensics.com
www.stoneandtilepros.com

Recommended stone care products  http://www.stonecarecentral.com/?Click=2149


Many of my articles can be found at www.stoneandtilepros.com
Listen to my radio show   www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred
office             321 514 6845 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            321 514 6845      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      
See my specialty products at  www.godrfred.com




--
Frederick M. Hueston PhD
www.stoneforensics.com
www.stoneandtilepros.com
www.safeandcompliant.net

Recommended stone care products  http://www.stonecarecentral.com


Many of my articles can be found at www.stoneandtilepros.com
Listen to my radio show   www.blogtalkradio.com/drfred
office             321 514 6845      
See my specialty products at  www.godrfred.com

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