Natural Polish vs. Strip and Wax on Terrazzo
By Fred Hueston
Why Going Natural is Better for Your Business and the Floor: I’ve seen more than my share of terrazzo floors over the years. From schools and hospitals to office buildings and airports, terrazzo is everywhere. It’s durable, beautiful, and when treated properly, can last for decades. But too often, these floors are covered in layer upon layer of wax, turning a timeless surface into a maintenance headache. If you’re still offering strip-and-wax services for terrazzo, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
Let’s break down the difference and go over why a natural polish not only looks better but also saves time, money, and your reputation.
The Wax Trap: What’s Wrong with Strip-and-Wax?
For years, facility managers have relied on acrylic coatings (wax) to give terrazzo a shine. It seems like a quick fix, strip the old layers, lay down some new finish, and boom, the floor is shiny again. But here’s the truth:
- Wax wears out quickly in high-traffic areas, requiring frequent reapplication.
- Stripping chemicals are harsh, not only on the terrazzo but on the environment and your technicians.
- Build-up leads to discoloration, especially in textured or porous terrazzo, and can hide cracks or underlying damage.
- The labor cost adds up. Between stripping, applying multiple coats, and drying time, the process becomes time-consuming and expensive over the long term.
Worst of all, waxing covers the terrazzo’s natural beauty rather than enhancing it. You’re essentially putting a plastic coating on what should be a stone finish.
The Natural Polish Advantage
Natural polishing is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of layering on a coating, you mechanically refine the surface of the terrazzo using diamond abrasives and polishing powders to bring out its natural luster.
Here’s why this method is superior:
- Durability: A properly polished terrazzo floor will hold its shine much longer than a waxed one. You’re not relying on a coating to provide the gloss, the shine is the floor.
- Low Maintenance: No stripping, no recoating, no burnishing. Daily mopping and occasional deep cleaning are all that’s needed.
- Restores Original Beauty: Polishing enhances the actual stone chips and binder, showcasing the terrazzo’s natural character instead of hiding it under wax.
- Better Slip Resistance: When done correctly, a natural polish can offer better traction than wax, which can become slick, especially when wet.
- Eco-Friendly: No harsh strippers, no disposable mop pads soaked in chemicals, and far less waste overall.
- Cost-Effective Long Term: Though the upfront restoration cost is higher, you eliminate the need for monthly or quarterly strip-and-wax cycles, reducing labor and material costs over time.
How to Achieve a Natural Polish on Terrazzo
Polishing terrazzo is not a one-size-fits-all process, but here’s a basic framework to get started:
Step 1: Inspection – Check for cracks, loose aggregate, deep stains, or previous coating residue. Moisture issues, especially in older terrazzo, must be identified before polishing begins.
Step 2: Coating Removal (if needed) – If wax or sealer is present, remove it using a stripper or poultice, then neutralize the surface before grinding.
Step 3: Grinding – Start with metal bond diamonds (30-70 grit) to level the floor and remove surface imperfections. This step flattens lippage and exposes a fresh layer.
Step 4: Honing – Progress through resin bond diamonds—typically 100, 200, then 400 grit. This refines the surface and prepares it for polishing.
Step 5: Polishing – Move through 800 to 1500, then up to 3000 grit if desired. You can add a polishing powder (like oxalic acid or a formulated terrazzo polish) during the final pass for an extra pop.
Step 6: Sealing (Optional) – If the terrazzo is porous or in a location prone to staining, consider applying a penetrating impregnator—not a coating. This will protect from spills without altering the appearance.
If you’re looking to offer higher-value, lower-maintenance, and more sustainable solutions to your commercial clients, ditching the strip-and-wax routine is a smart move. Not only does natural polishing deliver a better result, but it sets you apart from janitorial services offering quick fixes. You’re restoring, not masking. That’s what professionalism in the stone restoration business is all about.
In short, when it comes to terrazzo, let the stone speak for itself. Give it a natural polish, and let your work do the shining.
