Wasted $800 on wrong release agent for stamped concrete

Last month I bought a big drum of generic release agent from a supply house I'd never used before. Figured it was all the same stuff, right? Well it turned my color hardener into a muddy mess and the stamps kept sticking even after I doubled the coat. Had to rip out a 400 square foot patio in Peoria and start over. Any of you guys had a bad batch of release agent ruin a job like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_adam18d ago

Man that sucks. I've been there with a bad release agent before and it's the worst feeling watching your hard work turn into trash. The stuff you got was probably old or just cheap junk. I always stick with the same brand I've used for years now, Amerimix or Butterfield, because I got burned on a different brand that looked identical but was total garbage. Never cheap out on release agent or you'll be tearing out concrete like we both found out the hard way. You're not alone on that one.

lindaowens18d ago

Used to think release agent was release agent, honestly believed that til I had to jackhammer my own driveway last summer. That experience changed my whole outlook real fast.