What Equipment Do You Need for Resin Flooring? The Essential Kit List
Whether you're starting a resin flooring business or equipping your first installation, having the right tools makes the difference between a professional result and an expensive mistake.
Preparation Equipment
Floor Grinder (Planetary)
The single most important tool. A planetary grinder uses rotating diamond segments to grind, level, and profile concrete surfaces.
| Type | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single-disc (250mm) | Edges, small areas | £800–£2,000 |
| Dual-disc (400mm) | Single garages | £2,500–£5,000 |
| Triple-disc (550mm+) | Large areas, commercial | £5,000–£15,000 |
What to look for:
- Variable speed control
- Dust shroud with good extraction port
- Easy diamond segment changes
- Weight (heavier = more grinding pressure)
Buy or hire? Buy if doing regular work. Hire for occasional use (£80–£150/day for a 550mm machine).
Dust Extractor
An H-class (HEPA) dust extractor is non-negotiable. Concrete dust contains silica — a serious health hazard.
| Type | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase (30L) | Small garages | £500–£1,500 |
| Three-phase (60L+) | Commercial work | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Pre-separator (cyclone) | Extends filter life | £300–£800 |
Key features:
- H-class filtration (99.995% efficiency at 0.3 microns)
- Auto-start (triggers when grinder starts)
- Large capacity (less emptying)
- Anti-static hose
Diamond Segments
Different segments for different tasks:
- Soft bond — for hard concrete (high PSI)
- Medium bond — general purpose
- Hard bond — for soft concrete and screed
- PCD segments — for removing coatings and adhesives
Budget £200–£500 per set. They're consumables — budget for replacements.
Edge and Detail Tools
- Angle grinder (125mm) with dust shroud — £100–£300
- Hand grinder (Flex type) — £200–£500
- Detail sander — for tight corners
- Wire brush cup — for edge cleaning
Mixing Equipment
Mixing Drill
A high-torque, low-speed drill with a paddle attachment:
- Minimum 1,200W motor
- Speed range 300–600 RPM
- Helical mixing paddle (not paint stirrer)
- Price: £150–£400
Mixing Buckets
- Heavy-duty plastic buckets (10L and 30L)
- Graduated markings for measuring
- Pouring lip
- Buy in bulk — they're single use per colour
Scales
- Digital platform scales accurate to 1g
- Capacity: minimum 30kg
- Price: £50–£150
Application Tools
Squeegees
| Type | Use | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Notched squeegee (V-notch) | Spreading base coats evenly | £30–£80 |
| Flat squeegee | Self-levelling systems | £20–£50 |
| Pin (spike) roller | Releasing air bubbles | £15–£40 |
Rollers
- Medium-pile roller (9mm) — for primers and topcoats
- Short-pile roller (4mm) — for thin-film sealers
- Foam roller — for ultra-smooth topcoats
- Roller frames: solvent-resistant type
Trowels (for Flake and Metallic Systems)
- Flat smoothing trowel — for backrolling flake
- Gauge rake — for controlling thickness
- Detail trowel — for edges and corners
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This is not optional. Resin systems contain chemicals that can cause sensitisation, respiratory issues, and skin reactions.
| Item | Why | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Half-face respirator (A2P3) | Chemical vapour + dust | £30–£50 |
| Nitrile gloves (disposable) | Skin protection | £10/box |
| Safety goggles | Splash protection | £10–£20 |
| Disposable overalls | Keep clean, prevent contamination | £5–£10 each |
| Knee pads | Comfort during application | £20–£50 |
| Steel-toe boots | Floor protection | £40–£80 |
| Spiked shoes | Walking on wet resin | £15–£30 |
Support Equipment
- Dehumidifier — controlling moisture during application and cure
- Infrared thermometer — checking concrete and ambient temperature
- Moisture metre + hygrometer — measuring concrete moisture
- LED work lights — essential for seeing imperfections
- Tape and masking — protecting walls and fixtures
- Plastic sheeting — protecting surrounding areas
Total Startup Investment
| Category | Budget | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder + diamonds | £3,000 | £10,000 |
| Dust extraction | £1,500 | £4,000 |
| Mixing equipment | £300 | £600 |
| Application tools | £200 | £500 |
| PPE | £200 | £400 |
| Support equipment | £300 | £800 |
| Van | £5,000 | £15,000 |
| Total | £10,500 | £31,300 |
Buy vs Hire Decision Guide
Buy if you'll use it on every job: grinder, extractor, mixing drill, PPE Hire for occasional use: large commercial grinders, scarifiers, shot blasters Consume (buy in bulk): diamonds, rollers, gloves, overalls, buckets
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum I need to start?
A small grinder, dust extractor, mixing drill, basic application tools, and PPE. Budget £5,000–£8,000 minimum (excluding van).
Should I buy the cheapest equipment?
Not for your grinder and extractor — these are your workhorses. Buy quality where it matters and economise on consumables.
Where should I buy equipment?
Specialist flooring suppliers like Bona, HTC, or Husqvarna for grinders. General suppliers for consumables and PPE.
Want hands-on training with professional equipment? Join the AutoResin Academy and learn from the best.
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