Warning: Tried a magnesium float on a patio pour versus my old steel one.

The mag gave me a much tighter finish with way less sticking on a hot day in Tampa. What's your go-to float for hot weather pours?

4 comments

4 Comments

nguyen.lily3mo ago

Honestly, the float type matters, but the prep does too. On a brutal day like that, I'll sometimes mist the concrete with water right before I go over it with the magnesium. It buys you a few extra seconds of workability. Just a light spray, not enough to mess with the mix. Lets the float glide without tearing up the surface.

gracec163mo ago

Last summer on a 95 degree job site, we kept a garden sprayer filled with ice water nearby. A quick pass over a 10 foot section right before the mag float gave us just enough time to close up the surface without leaving marks. The key was timing it so the water evaporated before the next pass.

william_harris3mo ago

We did something similar with a pump sprayer on a hot deck pour. That extra bit of moisture (just a light mist, like you said) made all the difference for getting a clean finish.

william_harris1mo ago

You ever try using a fine mist sprayer with a splash of dish soap in it? I saw a guy do that once on a hot day and it broke the surface tension just enough to keep the mag from sticking without messing up the water-cement ratio. It worked surprisingly well but you gotta be careful not to overdo it or you'll get a soapy film residue.