Heard a guy at the supply yard talking about his crew's new finish routine

I was picking up some fiber mesh in Spokane last Thursday and this older finisher was telling his buddy about how his crew switched to using a magnesium float for the first pass on everything, even flatwork. He said they used to just go straight from the bull float to the steel trowel, but now they do a full pass with the mag float first. He claimed it cuts down on bleed water issues and gives them a tighter surface to start with, especially on hot days. I've always been a steel-first guy myself, so it got me thinking. I tried it yesterday on a small garage slab when the sun was really beating down, and I have to admit, it did seem to pull the cream up a bit nicer without sealing it too fast. I'm not fully sold yet, but it's got me questioning my old habits. Has anyone else made a switch like that in their finishing steps and stuck with it?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaron_wilson171mo ago

Honestly, felt that same doubt when I switched.

averym821mo ago

Yeah, that "tighter surface to start with" part is key. It's not just about water, it's about getting the aggregate to settle evenly before you even touch it with steel. Lets you read the slab better.