TIL a magnesium float beats a steel one for colored decks

Used steel floats for 8 years, thought the extra pressure was the secret to a tight finish. Then last spring on a charcoal patio job in Austin, the homeowner's inspector pointed out the cream was coming up too fast on the edges. Swapped to a magnesium float midway through the second slab and the color stayed even, no blotchy spots. Now I only grab the steel for heavy broomed driveways, not stamp work. Anyone else notice the difference on dyed concrete or was I just late to the party?

1 comments

1 Comment

the_ben20d ago

Used to swear by steel for everything, thought magnesium was just for people who couldn't get the hang of it. Then did a small colored patio job and the steel kept dragging the pigment up on the edges no matter what I did. Magnesium worked way better, color stayed put, and I felt like an idiot for not trying it sooner. Still keep the steel around for broom finishes, but not for anything dyed anymore.