Unpopular opinion: I used to think a steel trowel was the only way to finish a slab

For years, I'd only break out the steel after the magnesium, no matter what. Then I did a big warehouse floor in Spokane last fall, and the mix was setting up way too fast. My buddy, who's been doing this for 30 years, told me to skip the steel and just burn it in with the mag. I tried it, and the finish was way tighter with no risk of pulling up fines. Now I check the weather and the mix before I even grab my tools. Anyone else switch up their finishing sequence based on the pour?

2 comments

2 Comments

abby_singh20d ago

I was the same way, swore by the steel. A tough pour in high wind taught me to read the conditions first.

barbara_kim19d ago

My uncle ran a crew in Phoenix for 40 years and he drilled into me that a steel trowel is non-negotiable for a hard finish. Skipping it might save a fast setting mix, but you're giving up density. I've seen floors finished with just a mag that don't hold up to forklift traffic the same way. You adapt your timing for sure, but cutting the steel out entirely seems like a shortcut that hurts the slab long term.