Why do you use a magnesium float on concrete?

Although they are slightly weaker than their aluminum counterparts, magnesium floats are lighter and are the most popular choice among professionals. Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool.

Do I need a magnesium float for concrete?

Once your top is flat from screeding, use a magnesium float to flatten and smooth the top while opening the pores of the fresh concrete, allowing bleed water to evaporate and air to escape. Once the concrete is firm enough and all bleed water has evaporated, use a steel trowel for your final finish.

Why do you use a float on concrete?

A float compacts the concrete surface, giving it a smooth look. Putting a smooth, durable finish on concrete is a skill you can only master with the proper set of tools and practice.

What is the difference between a trowel and a float?

A float has a thicker base than a trowel and is usually made of plastic, sponge, rubber, wood or magnesium – a lightweight pale grey metal. It's used to even up the surface on plaster or concrete, make it firmer and give whatever texture is required. The finish will depend on the float chosen.

How many times do you float concrete?

Push the bull float in one direction only across the concrete, keeping its front edge slightly above the surface by raising or lowering the handle. Two or three times is enough. Don't overwork the concrete or you'll weaken it by drawing too much sand and cement to the surface.

How to use a Mag Float 

What can I use instead of a bull float?

Bull Floats and darbies serve the same purpose however, daries are typically use for small areas. Both are used to eliminates high and low spots, and to slightly embed large aggregate particles immediately after strike off. These floats will also work up more paste to the top of the slab to help in finishing later.

How do I get a good finish on concrete?

Why are floats made of magnesium?

While hand floats are primarily available in wood and magnesium, the most popular are made of magnesium. This is because magnesium floats are extremely durable and easily slide across the surface. Wood floats are rougher and typically limited to floating non-air-entrained and high-slump concretes.

What is a mag float?

A mag float is simply a flat piece of magnesium or aluminum attached to a handle. The tool allows the user to float concrete at his or her desired pressure and angle. Mag floats are also available in a wide range of lengths and widths.

How long after pouring concrete can you float it?

Allow all of the water to disappear before you do anything else. This can take 20 minutes or 4 hours depending on the temperature, humidity and how hard the wind is blowing. After the bleed water is all gone you can get out your steel finishing trowel and put on the final touches.

How do you smooth out concrete after it dries?

Is magnesium float better than aluminum?

Magnesium. Although they are slightly weaker than their aluminum counterparts, magnesium floats are lighter, and are often only slightly more expensive. Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool.

What does a Fresno do to concrete?

Purpose: Fresno trowels are designed to attach to long extension handles so finishers don't have to walk out on the slab. They permit rapid work over large areas, such as driveways, but do not achieve the same degree of compaction possible with hand trowels.

Is a bull float the same as a mag float?

Aluminum. Aluminum floats have many of the same characteristics as magnesium floats, but they are roughly 30% heavier and 30% stronger. Like magnesium, aluminum opens the pores of fresh concrete, allowing bleed water to evaporate.

What is common float in Masonry?

Common float – used for smoothing or for producing textured surfaces on cement or plaster. 2. Bull float – a tool used to smooth freshly placed concrete. 3. Devil or Nail float – a tool used to roughen the surface of plaster to provide a key for the next coat.

What is a Darby in concrete?

A darby is a long, flat tool used to smooth in plastering and rendering. It can also be used on concrete floors. It consists of two handles on a flat plate with slightly lipped edges. A darby is similar to a float, except larger.

What is a steel trowel used for in concrete?

STEEL TROWELS. Purpose: Used after floating to produce a smooth, hard, dense slab surface. What's available: Steel trowels look similar to hand floats, except the blades are thinner and the handles are open rather than closed.

How do you make concrete smooth and shiny?

If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.

What is float finish concrete?

Float finishes

Prior to the introduction of power tools, a floated finish was that produced by a large, generally wooden or sometimes metal, hand float moved over the surface when the concrete was still plastic. This produced a flattish slightly textured surface which often contained float marks.

How do you make concrete shiny?

For this, you need to put a small amount of elbow grease on the area and sprinkle baking soda over it. Then use a damp cloth to rub around the area to make the area smooth and shiny again. Most of the time, you will be needing to follow this technique to make the concrete surface look shiny and smooth.

Can you make a concrete float?

Most people think concrete can't float because it's too heavy. But if concrete is shaped in the right way and light enough, it can float just like any other material. Any object, including concrete, will float if it's less dense than the water it's placed in.