Appreciation post: That 'magic trowel' trick from a guy in Phoenix actually works

I thought his method of using a garden sprayer to mist the slab before the final pass was just superstition, but it eliminated those tiny surface cracks on a 20x30 patio pour last month. Anyone have a different trick for that final finish?

3 comments

3 Comments

caseys901mo ago

Used to think that was just old-timer nonsense. Then I tried it on a small walkway and the finish came out smooth as glass, no spiderwebbing at all. Something about that light mist right before the last pull just seals it up perfect.

sam_harris6821d ago

Yeah I was the same way, thought it was just some weird superstition. But after seeing how smooth @phoenix845's work turned out, I had to test it myself. That light mist really does stop the surface from drying too fast and cracking. It makes the final trowel pull so much cleaner. What kind of spray bottle did you end up using for your walkway?

phoenix8451mo ago

Tried the misting trick on a garage apron last week and it was a total game changer. I always got those hairline cracks no matter how perfect the day was. The spray bottle from the garden section did the trick, just a super fine mist right as it started to set. My buddy swore by a damp burlap sack dragged lightly over the top for the same effect, but the sprayer is way less fuss.

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