Quick Answer

Grinding problems are usually tooling or technique issues rather than defects in the concrete. Move to 120/150 only when the slab is already level, and do not skip grit stages on coarse concrete. Use 30/46 grit stage for heavy leveling and 60/80 for stripping laitance and trowel marks without deep cuts.

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Grit Selection by Job

What you should know before starting.

A double-S segment disc in 60/80 gives a consistent scratch mark depth that is easy to follow up with the next grit stage.

• 60/80 grit stage — general abrading, stripping laitance, light trowel marks and glue layer residue. The most versatile leveling grit stage.
• 30/46 grit stage — heavy leveling, stripping overlays, coating layers, high spots more than 1 mm deep. Leaves deep scratch marks.
• 120/150 grit stage — refining scratch marks and prepping for stain or sealing layer; only use when the slab is already level.

Contractors who skip this stage usually end up redoing the floor.

The Right Time to Stop Grinding for Leveling

The key points in practice.

Once gaps under the straightedge are within the floor's tolerance and the surface texture is uniform across the whole area, stop and move up a grit stage.

This is where most crews get it right - or lose time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I able to skip grits to save time?

A: In short, Only when the slab is already even and you are refining. On coarse or ground-new concrete, skipping leaves a scratch mark pattern finer pads cannot resolve.

Q: How do I know my bond is right?

A: The practical answer is, When segments glaze and stop sawing, the bond is too hard; if they wear level in under half a set, it is too soft. Match bond to concrete hardness.

Q: Should I grind wet or dry?

A: For most jobs, Dry abrading with a HEPA industrial vacuum is standard on glossy concrete projects; wet abrading is mostly used for stone and edge work to control fine dust and heat.

Q: At what interval should I change plates?

A: In short, Change the whole set together once segment height drops by half or the cut rate slows. Mixing new and worn plates causes uneven scratch mark patterns.

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Conclusion

The fix is usually straightforward once the bond and machine are matched to the slab. Selecting the right bond, grit stage and technique for your concrete project saves tooling investment and avoids rework.