Finally got a smooth finish on that tricky exposed aggregate patio

I mixed in a little extra retarder on a job in Henderson last week, and it gave me way more time to wash out the surface just right. Has anyone else found a sweet spot with the timing on a hot day?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylorc402mo ago

Nice! That extra retarder is a lifesaver in the heat. I did a big driveway in Summerlin last July and it was brutal. Adding just a bit more let me get a perfect, even wash without any of the aggregate pulling out. Timing it right before the sheen disappears is the real trick.

the_grace2mo agoMost Upvoted

Totally agree on the timing. We had a similar issue on a patio pour when the temp spiked out of nowhere. Ended up using a light fog mist from a pump sprayer right as the sheen went off, kept the surface open just long enough for a clean wash. The key was having the sprayer ready to go and not waiting a second too long.

emery_black2mo ago

Remembered a job out in Pahrump where we misjudged the mix and it set up way too fast. Had to spray down the whole slab with a garden hose just to buy enough time for a second crew to finish the broom work. Never made that mistake again.