Update: sprayed my stamp release way too heavy on a 12x12 pad and the whole thing came out looking like a slip n slide

Gavin Kim · 2026-10-02T22:00:05.789346+00:00

Honestly I feel dumb even typing this but I need to warn the newer guys. Last Thursday we poured a 12x12 pad behind a shop out off 82nd and I got lazy with the release agent. I hit the stamps and the pad with the same heavy coat I use on a big driveway pour. Soon as we pulled the stamps the surface was slick as glass and the tool marks slid everywhere. Looked nothing like the cut stone the homeowner paid extra for. We let it set about 20 minutes longer than normal hoping it would tighten up and it just made the smears worse. Had to wait till the next morning and go over the whole thing with a brush and some muriatic mix to get the shine off, and it still reads a little wet in the low spots. My old finisher buddy told me later that on a smaller pad you want about half the release you think you need, and you can always dust more on. So how are you all judging the release coat on small pads, by feel or you got a number you stick to?

Discusd

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Update: sprayed my stamp release way too heavy on a 12x12 pad and the whole thing came out looking like a slip n slide | Concrete Finishers - Discusd