Quick Answer

Polish terrazzo by grinding with metal bond from coarse to fine grit, densifying, then polishing with resin pads up to 3000#. Terrazzo is harder than regular concrete, so use soft bonds and give each grit enough passes to fully refine the chips and matrix.

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Step 1: Prepare and Assess

Clean the floor, check for cracks and lippage, and identify the aggregate type. Harder aggregates (granite chips) need soft bonds; softer terrazzo (marble chips) needs a medium bond and lighter pressure.

Step 2: Grind with Coarse Metal Bond

Start at 16# or 30/40# metal bond to level the chips and matrix. Work in overlapping passes and keep the machine flat. Fix any lippage here - it will not disappear later.

Step 3: Step Down the Grit Ladder

Move through 60/80#, 100/120# and 150#-200#, changing direction each time. Terrazzo demands patience on these steps: the matrix between chips must be brought down at the same rate as the chips themselves.

Step 4: Densify and Hone

Apply densifier to harden the matrix, then continue with resin pads at 200# and 400#. The densifier reduces porosity so the final gloss builds evenly.

Step 5: Polish to the Finish

Polish with resin pads at 800#, 1500# and 3000#. For a mirror finish on terrazzo, the 1500# and 3000# steps are essential. Burnish with a fine pad to close the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can terrazzo reach a mirror finish?

A>Yes - with proper densifying and polishing to 3000#, terrazzo takes one of the brightest finishes of any floor.

Q: How long does a terrazzo job take?

A>Usually 4-8 days for a large floor, depending on condition and crew size.

Q: Do I need special pads for terrazzo?

A>Standard metal and resin floor pads work; choose bond hardness by aggregate type.

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Conclusion

Terrazzo rewards patience: level the chips early, step the grits slowly, densify on time, and polish to 3000#. The result is a durable, glass-like floor that needs little maintenance.