Tried a new magnesium float on a garage slab in Fresno and the finish came out way too tight and sealed.

3 comments

3 Comments

Ever try a spray bottle with a little water to keep the surface open? I've heard some guys in dry areas mist it right before the final pass with the mag float. How long did you wait after the bull float before you went in with the magnesium?

the_matthew1mo ago

Read a forum post a while back where a guy said the heat in Fresno can really mess with your timing. That dry heat pulls moisture out crazy fast. A magnesium float can seal the surface up quick if you're not careful, especially on a big slab like a garage. Might have just worked it a little too late in the set. Once that cream starts to firm up, the magnesium just burnishes it shut. Next time maybe try a wood float first to buy some time.

skyler1901mo ago

Honestly that Fresno heat sounds like it turns a concrete pour into a high-stakes video game level. One minute you're floating along, next minute the slab's setting up like it's got somewhere to be. Trying to time a mag float in that must feel like defusing a bomb while the clock's ticking. Bet that wood float advice is the difference between a smooth finish and a shiny, sealed-up mess.