How To Choose the Right Surface Preparation Equipment
Surface Type, Contaminant or Coating
- Whether cleaning or refinishing, identify what you need to remove, paint, rust, epoxy, sealers or grease, and what the base surface is, such as steel, concrete or wood
- That combo determines the right surface prep solutions and method, whether grinding, blasting, stripping or scarifying, and helps avoid damaging the substrate. Consider specific floor prep machine rental options designed for these tasks
- Confirm the key job requirements and site constraints up front so you can choose the safest, most efficient configuration
Finish & Area Size
- Define the finish you need. Is it a smooth profile, surface texture or coating-ready, and how many square feet you’re prepping or cleaning
- Higher-finish requirements may need multiple steps, while larger areas often benefit from wider, faster production floor cleaning equipment rental like ride-on sweepers or large polishers & scrubbers. For smaller, intricate areas, consider specialized floor cleaner rental units
- Ensure the chosen surface rental equipment has the appropriate capacity for the job, including effective dust collection systems and suitable attachments, to maximize efficiency and prevent damage
Power Source & Waste Management
- Confirm whether electric power, air or fuel is available and practical for the area you’re working in when selecting your surface rental equipment
- Plan for debris and waste capture and disposal so cleanup stays compliant and you don’t slow down production. Many floor cleaning equipment rental options integrate dust collection, or you may need to rent separate industrial vacuums. Consider specialized equipment like pressure washers for wet cleanup tasks
- Verify available power for voltage, phase, amperage or fuel type and plan run time for refueling or charging, and cords or cables as needed
FAQs About Surface Preparation
United Rentals can help you complete your projects with our large selection of floor and surface preparation tool rentals. From the quality surface preparation tools needed to complete smaller surface prep jobs to large-scale equipment for commercial and industrial projects, United Rentals’ floor equipment rental inventory of pressure washers, vacuums, drum sanders, floor scrubbers, floor strippers and more helps you get the job done.
Our drum sanders can be operated from a standing position, and our walk-behind floor scrubbers offer a self-propelled sweeper option with an active dust-control system and an onboard charging system. Our fleet of pressure washers range from 2,000 to 5,000 PSI, have hot or cold-water output and can be stand-alone wheeled units or trailer mounted.
Learn more about our surface preparation rentals in our FAQ section below.
The surface on which a tile floor is installed must be free of dust, wax, grease and other contaminants. Suitable surface preparation will help ensure the tiles bond well with the surface and will make your flooring easier to maintain. In most cases, you only need to pressure wash concrete floors, but some situations may call for the use of surface conditioning machines. Get the Job Done Right: How to Choose the Best Floor Scraper for Your Project.
Contaminants on the surface can cause adhesion problems, so proper cleaning and surface preparation is essential. The surface must be completely clean and free of dust, wax, grease and other contaminants. Epoxy flooring requires a minimum thickness of 1/8" to achieve maximum performance.
Pressure washers can be used to clean concrete floors, but if the surface is in poor condition and has contaminants, you may need surface conditioning machines like floor scrubbers. Use surface conditioning machines like floor sanders and floor grinders to remove any existing coating on the concrete surface, such as paint, varnish or previous patching material. You can also use pressure washers or power wash surfaces with sandblasters that produce a fine sanding effect without noise or dust pollution. Get expert tips on choosing the right surface prep equipment.