I noticed a big difference in slab finishes after switching from a magnesium float to a resin one

After 6 months of using a resin float on my commercial jobs around Springfield, the surface density and lack of bug holes is way better than the years I spent with magnesium, but I hear some guys say resin leaves too slick a finish for outdoor work, so what's your take after trying both?

2 comments

2 Comments

lucashart10d ago

Honestly, I used to think the slickness thing was a real problem too. I was dead set that magnesium was the only way to go for any outdoor flatwork. But after I finally bit the bullet and ran a full season with resin on a few big driveways and patios, I totally changed my mind. The finish isn't "too slick" if you just work the surface a little differently with your final passes. I actually get better consolidation and way fewer of those tiny pinholes that used to drive me crazy with mag. Ngl, the lack of bug holes alone made it worth it for me, even on exposed aggregate.

troy83210d ago

Been thinking about this from the slip resistance testing side. Most guys check traction by spraying water on cured concrete and doing the boot scuff test. But resin floats actually change how the paste behaves when wet during finishing. I had a buddy who switched to resin and started getting random slick patches near low spots where water pooled during the final pass. Turned out he was overworking those areas trying to dry them up. Once he started keeping a spray bottle with a light mist to keep the whole surface even, the problem vanished. The finish uniformity matters way more than the tool material itself.