Floor Polishers: Buying Guide

Types of Polishers

There are two main types of floor polishers:

• Rotary Polisher: This polisher works with a high-speed circular motion. Recommended for sanding and polishing resistant floors like marble or concrete. It has high power, so it must be used carefully to avoid damaging the finish. This polisher has a power between 1.1 and 1.6 kW, with a rotation speed of up to 4000 RPM. The pads used with this polisher work deeply, removing scratches, imperfections, and oxidation from the finish.
• Orbital Polisher: Offers lower power than the rotary polisher, making it ideal for finishing varnishes that don't require deep sanding and polishing. This polisher is perfect for applying polish. It has a maximum power of 0.6 kW with a rotation speed between 1500 and 6800 RPM. It uses larger pads than rotary polishers and can be paired with foam pads for polish, waxes, and pastes.

How a Polisher Works

Floor polishers function similarly to scrubber-driers but with an additional purpose: restoring shine and smoothing the surface. At the base of the machine are brushes or pads that rotate and exert pressure on the floor. The combined motion of scrubbing and rotation removes dirt, residues, and micro-scratches while polishing the material.

Each type of floor requires pads of different hardness: soft pads for wood, more abrasive ones for marble and concrete, or brushes suitable for cleaning carpets. Some polishers also include a vacuuming function, while others focus solely on polishing and sanding.

The main steps for proper polishing are:

• Removing old wax
• Choosing the wax and pads to use
• Preparing the floor
• Applying the wax
• Polishing

How to Correctly Use a Polisher

The polisher comes into play only after preparing the floor. In summary, it's important to properly prepare the floor by clearing any obstructing objects and removing old wax with a wax remover if necessary. At this point, ask yourself:

• Which pads to use? The answer depends on the type of floor and the level of abrasiveness needed.
• Which wax to use? Although universal waxes exist, it's best to use a wax specific to the floor type (wood/laminate, terracotta/ceramic, graniglia, marble, etc.).

Types of Pads

The different polishing pads or cloths are usually color-coded to indicate their level of abrasiveness.

• High-abrasion pads: Highly effective, suitable for scraping off old layers of resistant wax. They remove old treatments and are ideal for hard stone or concrete floors with stubborn or hard-to-remove dirt. These pads are usually recognizable by their hardness and color: bottle green indicates a medium-abrasive pad, while black pads are hard and highly abrasive. Diamond pads also fall into this category and are ideal for sanding and polishing hard surfaces like marble and granite, offering professional results thanks to synthetic diamond powder.
• Medium-low abrasion pads: Typically red, these pads are for partial wax removal and light cleaning, especially in domestic settings. They are ideal for normal, moderately delicate floors. Compared to green pads, which are more aggressive and used for deeper scraping on marble, granite, and terracotta, red pads are gentler, suitable for all surfaces and routine cleaning.
• Low-abrasion pads: Usually made of microfiber or wool (natural or synthetic), these pads eliminate streaks and add shine. They are typically white, symbolizing delicacy and non-aggressiveness. They are also useful for periodic touch-ups as they don’t scratch or damage. White pads are ideal for delicate surfaces like polished marble, parquet, resin, and PVC.

Depending on the type of polisher, one or more pads are used in sequence:

• Domestic or single-pad polishers: Use one pad at a time based on the required abrasion level.
• Professional or 3-pad system polishers: Use multiple pads in sequence or, in the case of a 3-pad system, multiple pads of the same type simultaneously.

Types of Wax

Each floor has its ideal wax—here are the most common types for flawless polishing:

• Wood and laminate: Require waxes that protect without greasing, preferably with a matte or satin finish.
• Terracotta and ceramic: Need thicker waxes that fill pores and enhance the natural color.
• Marble, graniglia, and natural stone: Require lightweight yet effective waxes that polish without weighing down.
• Resin and linoleum: Benefit from protective, flexible waxes, ideal for modern, high-traffic floors.
• Red tiles or brick: Enhance rustic effects with waxes that brighten warm tones.

Beyond surface type, you can choose between different formulations and finishes:

• Scented or unscented waxes: For a more pleasant or neutral environment.
• Self-polishing waxes: Don’t require machine polishing and reduce maintenance efforts.
• Metallized waxes: For a more pronounced shine and superior protection against scratches and wear.