Project Case Study: A High-End Restaurant in Montreal
Over time, polished concrete floors can lose their shine because of grease, dirt, maintenance-product buildup, sealers, and previous surface treatments. Before polishing the concrete again, these layers must be removed to expose a clean, uniform surface that is ready for mechanical diamond polishing.
For a project completed by one of our clients in a high-end restaurant in Montreal, CYCLONE Industrial Solvent-Based Stripper was used to strip, degrease, dull, and prepare the polished concrete floor before repolishing.
CYCLONE is a professional, deep-penetrating industrial stripper designed to help remove difficult coatings and residues, including concrete sealers, polyurethane coatings, epoxy coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and thin membranes.
Why Strip Polished Concrete Before Repolishing?
Old sealers, grease, and surface coatings can prevent diamond tools from working directly on the concrete. This may lead to:
- Uneven polishing
- Premature clogging of diamond tooling
- Visible differences in gloss
- Marks or imperfections in the final finish
- Poor penetration of treatments applied after polishing
Chemical stripping helps soften and release the materials covering the concrete. Once the residues have been removed, the concrete generally appears more matte and slightly more porous. The surface can then be mechanically prepared and polished to achieve a smooth, uniform, and glossy finish.
Important: Chemical stripping does not replace diamond polishing. It is a preparation step used to remove grease, contaminants, sealers, and previous coatings before mechanical polishing begins.
How to Strip Polished Concrete with CYCLONE
Step 1: Secure and Protect the Work Area
Before beginning, remove or protect all furniture, equipment, baseboards, walls, railings, and nearby surfaces that must not come into contact with the stripper.
In a commercial environment such as a restaurant, the following precautions are especially important:
- Completely close the work area to customers and unauthorized personnel
- Provide adequate ventilation
- Protect walls and surrounding surfaces with solvent-resistant materials
- Eliminate flames, sparks, heat, and other ignition sources
- Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area before treating the entire floor
Workers must read the product label and Safety Data Sheet before use. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn, including chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, safety glasses or goggles, and any respiratory protection required by the Safety Data Sheet and job-site conditions.
Step 2: Apply CYCLONE with a Spatula or Scraper
CYCLONE has a thick consistency similar to a transparent gel. This texture helps keep the product in contact with the concrete during the required dwell time.
Using a solvent-resistant spatula or scraper:
- Apply CYCLONE directly to the concrete.
- Spread it evenly over a small section.
- Keep the entire area covered with a sufficient layer of product.
- Avoid spreading the product too thinly.
It is strongly recommended to work in small sections. This provides better control over the dwell time and helps prevent the stripper from drying before it can be removed.
Step 3: Allow the Product to Work for 15 to 30 Minutes
Allow CYCLONE to remain on the surface for approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on:
- The type of coating being removed
- The thickness of the existing coating
- The amount of grease or contamination
- The temperature of the floor
- The general job-site conditions
During this period, the product begins softening and lifting the sealer, grease, adhesive, or other surface contaminants.
Do not allow the stripper to dry completely. The treated section should remain coated with cyclone and active until it is ready to be scraped.
Step 4: Remove the Softened Coating
Once the coating has softened, use the spatula or scraper to remove the mixture of CYCLONE and dissolved residue.
Work carefully to collect as much material as possible without spreading contaminated residue onto areas that have already been treated.
When the product remains active and job-site conditions permit, the recovered material may be moved to the next small section. However, the product should be replaced when it becomes too contaminated or no longer has enough stripping power.
Working in small sections makes it easier to:
- Control the application
- Prevent premature drying
- Protect nearby surfaces
- Limit the movement of chemical residue
- Inspect the results as the work progresses
Step 5: Apply a Second Coat When Necessary
Concrete floors with heavy grease buildup, multiple layers of sealer, or particularly resistant coatings may require a second application.
After removing the first layer:
- Inspect the concrete carefully.
- Identify any areas that remain glossy, sticky, dark, or coated.
- Apply a second layer of CYCLONE.
- Allow it to work again.
- Scrape and remove the remaining residue.
The objective is to obtain a clean and uniform concrete surface without grease, sealer, or coating buildup.
Step 6: Collect and Store the Chemical Residue
At the end of the stripping process, collect the transparent, gel-like chemical mixture with a spatula and place it in a compatible, clearly identified container that can be securely closed.
Although CYCLONE has a biodegradable formulation, the recovered waste may contain:
- Grease and oil
- Concrete sealer
- Paint or varnish
- Adhesive residue
- Polymers
- Other contaminants removed from the floor
The recovered mixture should never be poured into a sink, floor drain, sewer, or stormwater system. Store it in an appropriate container and dispose of it according to the Safety Data Sheet and all applicable local environmental and job-site requirements.
Step 7: Prepare the Concrete for Diamond Polishing
After the stripper and coating residues have been completely removed, clean the surface according to the product instructions and allow it to dry fully.
Before polishing begins, confirm that the concrete is:
- Dry
- Clean and non-sticky
- Free of chemical residue
- Free of grease and surface coatings
- Consistent in appearance
- Ready for mechanical preparation
The floor can then be polished using a professional machine equipped with diamond tooling. Several passes with progressively finer diamond grits refine the concrete and gradually produce the desired level of shine.
Depending on the polishing system, a compatible concrete densifier, stain protector, or protective treatment may also be applied by a qualified professional.
Project Stages in Pictures
Photo 1 — Before Chemical Concrete Stripping
Before treatment, the polished concrete floor had a dull and uneven appearance caused by grease, previous treatments, and contaminants from the restaurant’s daily operations. These layers had to be removed before a new diamond-polishing process could begin.
Photo 2 — During CYCLONE Application
CYCLONE is applied with a spatula over a small section of the floor. Its thick, gel-like consistency helps keep the product in contact with the concrete during its 15-to-30-minute dwell time.
Applying CYCLONE chemical stripper to a polished concrete floor
Photo 3 — After Chemical Stripping
After the stripper and old coatings have been removed, the concrete has a cleaner, more uniform, and matte appearance. Grease, sealer, and surface contaminants have been removed so that the floor can be mechanically polished.
Degreased and dulled concrete after stripping with CYCLONE
Photo 4 — After Final Diamond Polishing
The final result after chemical stripping and diamond polishing: a smooth, uniform, and glossy polished concrete floor that complements the elegant interior of this high-end Montreal restaurant.
Glossy polished concrete floor in a high-end Montreal restaurant
Benefits of CYCLONE for Polished Concrete Preparation
For demanding commercial projects, CYCLONE offers several important benefits:
- Softens difficult sealers and coatings
- Helps remove heavy grease and contamination
- Provides a thick consistency for controlled application
- Allows contractors to work progressively in small sections
- Helps prepare concrete before mechanical diamond polishing
- Is suitable for intensive stripping and floor-restoration projects
CYCLONE is available in a professional 18.9-litre format, making it suitable for commercial job sites and large floor areas.
Important Safety Precautions
CYCLONE is a professional solvent-based chemical product and must be handled by trained workers using appropriate safety procedures.
Before beginning the work:
- Read the product label and Safety Data Sheet
- Provide adequate ventilation
- Restrict access to the work area
- Protect the skin, eyes, and clothing
- Use the respiratory protection specified in the Safety Data Sheet when required
- Keep the product away from flames, sparks, heat, and ignition sources
- Prepare compatible containers for collecting chemical waste
- Keep the product in its original container when it is not being used
Personal protective equipment should complement other safety controls, including ventilation and isolation of the work area. It should not be the only protective measure.
Professional Results for Commercial Concrete Floors
Chemical stripping is an essential preparation step when polished concrete is covered with grease, old sealer, adhesive, or another coating that could interfere with repolishing.
For this high-end restaurant project in Montreal, CYCLONE helped remove the unwanted surface layers and prepare the concrete for diamond polishing. The final result was a clean, uniform, and glossy floor that reflects the lighting and complements the restaurant’s architecture.
For concrete-polishing contractors, floor-restoration companies, commercial cleaners, and building managers, CYCLONE provides a professional solution for demanding concrete-stripping and surface-preparation projects.
Available Across Canada
CYCLONE Industrial Solvent-Based Stripper is available for delivery throughout Canada. Contact 1001 Products and Maintenance Services to obtain a free quote, confirm availability, or receive assistance selecting the appropriate product for your project.
