Picking up where we left off in Volume 1, we continued our journey to restore the terrazzo floors at the historic Rialto Square Theatre. This stage focused on refining the surface, enhancing the terrazzo’s natural beauty, and preparing it for the next phase.
We started by grinding the entire floor and edges down to 120-grit using the EvoShine copper bond diamond evolving pad system.
This gave the terrazzo a smooth, consistent surface to work with. Once the grinding was done, we thoroughly rinsed the floor to remove any residue and prepare it for the grouting process.
Filling Pinholes
The next step was addressing the surface pinholes. Using a color-matching resin and precise troweling techniques, we filled these imperfections to create a seamless look.
To ensure the resin set properly, we broadcast ATF (limestone dust) over the uncured material.
After letting the resin and ATF mix cure overnight, we removed the excess using 120-grit EvoShine copper bond diamond discs. This left the surface smooth and uniform, ready for the honing process.
Honing the Surface
Honing began with 220-grit EvoShine copper bond diamond sets, and right away, the terrazzo started to show a soft sheen.
We then moved through 400- and 800-grit steps, progressively increasing the sheen and clarity.
As always, we gave the edges the same level of attention to ensure a uniform finish across the entire floor.
After completing the 800-grit stage, we stepped up to 1800-grit diamonds, which made a noticeable difference in reflectivity.
Finally, we polished the terrazzo with 3500-grit diamonds, achieving a high-resolution finish that brought out the depth and richness of the floor’s design.
What’s Next
With the honing and polishing completed, the terrazzo floor is now ready for the final vitrification process, which we’ll cover in Volume 3. This final step will bring out the ultimate shine and durability, ensuring the floor’s lasting beauty for years to come.
Stay tuned as we continue this exciting restoration journey at the Rialto Square Theatre!
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