gray6•3d ago

Can we talk about guys skipping the magnesium float step on interior slabs?

I keep seeing crews in Phoenix go straight from the bull float to the trowel, especially on garage floors. That extra pass with the mag really helps close up the surface and stops that dusty top layer from forming later. I learned that from a foreman named Ray about five years ago and it's saved me a ton of callbacks for surface scaling. Anyone else notice this or am I just being picky?

2 comments

2 Comments

jordan_young3d ago

Ray taught me the same trick, right?

troythompson3d ago

I mean, I get where you're coming from with the mag float step, but I see it the other way. In my experience, going straight to the trowel after the bull float gives you better control over the timing. If you wait for that mag pass, you can lose the right window for a hard finish, especially in dry heat. Maybe it's just me, but I've had more issues with a weak surface when I add that extra step. It can overwork the cream before the trowel even touches it.