I finally switched from a magnesium float to a wood one on a big garage slab in Phoenix

Everyone on the crew swore the magnesium gave a tighter finish, but after the first 90 minutes in that 105-degree heat, the slab was setting up way too fast and we were fighting it. I grabbed a wood float from the truck and the difference was immediate... it didn't drag the surface like the metal one was starting to. Has anyone else had to ditch the 'standard' tool because of extreme weather like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

avery_jackson1mo ago

Wait, you guys were still using a metal float at 105 degrees? That's wild, it's basically glue at that point. No wonder you were fighting it, wood was the only move.

the_drew1mo ago

Honestly, that "tighter finish" thing is just crew talk, wood always works better when the heat makes the slab set up fast.

sandraf981mo ago

You're right about heat helping it set, but a tight finish is real on big pours. If you wait too long, the bleed water gets trapped and you get that dusty top layer. We hit it with the float just as the sheen leaves, then trowel before it gets too hard. Lets you close up without pulling the cream.