Polishing a concrete slab is a multi-phase operation, requiring specialized machines and personnel. Every slab requires a slightly different process, but typically the refinishing starts with grinding. This phase levels out high and low spots, so that the diamond tooling is always in contact with the surface. In the trade we refer to this step as "cutting". After the surface is prepared and repaired where needed, it can be honed (lower reflectivity) or polished (higher reflectivity), then sealed and burnished.