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My uncle told me to always add a little extra water to the mix for a smoother finish. Big mistake.
He swore by it for years, said it made the concrete 'buttery'. I tried it on a small patio job in Akron last spring. The pour looked great at first, but after it cured, the surface was weak and started dusting up within a couple months. Had to go back and apply a sealer, which the homeowner wasn't happy about. What's the best trick you guys use to get a smooth finish without messing with the water ratio?
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taylor_barnes5925d ago
That "buttery" mix idea is a classic trap. Extra water does make it easier to work for a minute, but it wrecks the strength. Instead of adding water, I keep a spray bottle with just a fine mist. If the surface starts drying too fast while I'm finishing, a light mist keeps it workable without changing the actual mix ratio. A magnesium float right after the bleed water goes away gives me that smooth start without the weak surface.
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emma_young25d ago
Spray bottle is the only way. Learned that the hard way on a garage slab last summer. Magnesium float makes all the difference for that first pass.
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