My 1th post |choosing right tool for renovating pillar cap

[kavehh]

Hello everyone,

I am happy that I have joined this active forum and looking forward to both gain knowledge and contribute to the members.

AS my first question, I was wondering if anyone could advise me of how I can restore my pillar caps(image attached) to a newly refurbished condition.

I have angle grinder but I am not sure what type of accessories I should use for pillar caps.

They have attracted lots of germs and black smoke and are not being removed with sand paper ect. I believe I have to remove a thin layer from the top.

I also have a small mouse type Black and Decker sander.

Thank you everyone View media item 52734

 

[mattylad]

It will likely be cheaper to buy a new one than buy a tool to do it.

 

[kavehh]

It will likely be cheaper to buy a new one than buy a tool to do it.

I have 8 of these caps around my house and they are not cheap.

I have angel grinder that I could fit various type of discs on it but I am not sure what type I should use for caps materials

 

[crank39]

Brick acid.....

http://reviews.diy.com/2191-en_gb/10487601/reviews.htm

Wear gloves and goggles though

 

[ladylola]

There is a specfic blade that fits 4-5" angle grinders and has always been known to me and the masons I've worked with as a spinner. It may have a "proper" name but as I say I've always called it that, ask at a good tool supplier. It is used without the guard on the machine and is a dusty process so full PPE is an absolute necessaty.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Jet wash them.

Andy

 

[ladylola]

Or paint them , now I look at the picture I'm pretty sure they are concrete so I'd ignore my earlier post.

 

[Norcon]

The one in the image looks fine to me apart from the chip and the air bubbles.
Which cleaning won't solve.

 

[kavehh]

There is a specfic blade that fits 4-5" angle grinders and has always been known to me and the masons I've worked with as a spinner. It may have a "proper" name but as I say I've always called it that, ask at a good tool supplier. It is used without the guard on the machine and is a dusty process so full PPE is an absolute necessaty.

Can you specify which materials its made of or give more details so I can recognize it.

I am looking for the right blade to fit my angle grinder in order to revive the concrete. Is it made from hard material like wire wool or more soft material?

I will try using the brick acid which seems effective. But what I had in my mind was a right blade that is suitable for removing thin layer off from concrete just as you sand wood.

I tried washing but no luck.

Thank you for your posts

 

[ladylola]

Try diamond cup wheel
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=diamond+cup+wheel&_sacat=0&_from=R40
Whatever you do though I wouldn't try them out on your pillar caps first as they take a bit of practice to get used too.

 

[Norcon]

But what I had in my mind was a right blade that is suitable for removing thin layer off from concrete just as you sand wood.

If you try that with an angle grinder you will very likely expose the aggregate below. Then you will have a real eye sore.

A light sanding with an orbital sander and an appropiate abrasive would be my only choice. 180 - 400 grit.

There are fine diamond pads available that stone/concrete polishers use but very expensive.

You have bad quality pillar caps to start with. (assuming the others have air pockets also)
That could be a bad mix of concrete , lack of vibration, incorrect vibration or a combination of all three.

I'd certainly put the two tone shading on the surface down to the mix and not the ravages of time.

 

[^woody^]

If you try and work on these with any small or even large hand held grinder or sander, you can kiss goodbye to flat surfaces and sharp arrisses, and say hello to an uneven hideous mess.

Acid eats cement rather than cleans dirt, and so opens up the surface for more rapid collection of dirt later . Likewise jet washing

Clean with a detergent and light pressure with a hard brush.

Then possibly apply a clear water repellent

 

[Norcon]

If you try and work on these with any small or even large hand held grinder or sander, you can kiss goodbye to flat surfaces and sharp arrisses, and say hello to an uneven hideous mess.

Acid eats cement rather than cleans dirt, and so opens up the surface for more rapid collection of dirt later . Likewise jet washing

Clean with a detergent and light pressure with a hard brush.

Then possibly apply a clear water repellent

Thats good advice but sanding is OK. As long as you know what you're doing.
Concrete cast product finishing cosmetics is an art in itself. We had a guy subbed in for two months on a project plying his trade on some of our botched form work.

 

[kavehh]

Thank you all for your advises. Very helpful. I noticed a inner layer of the caps which are not very good looking so I make sure I take caution when sanding it.

 

[joe-90]

The more you fart around with them the sillier they'll look - just leave them be and go and do something useful with your time.