Had to pick between a magnesium float and a wood one for a big garage slab in Spokane last month. Went with magnesium and the finish was way too slick.

4 comments

4 Comments

That magnesium float mistake is all too common and people don't talk about it enough. My neighbor did his garage with magnesium a few years back and his wife took a spill on a wet patch, broke her wrist. Had to pay for surgery and everything, which is a heavy price for a floor finish. I learned my lesson watching him and stuck with a wood float on my slab, and there's just enough texture to keep your footing without being rough. A wood float takes a little more elbow grease but it's worth it for peace of mind, especially in a place like Spokane where you're tracking snow and slush inside half the year.

palmer.zara1mo ago

Pile onto that - I made the exact same mistake on my own garage floor last fall. Magnesium float sounded great in theory, but soon as I put my car away and the snow melted off the tires, that floor turned into an ice rink. I literally slipped carrying a tool box and landed hard on my tailbone, took weeks to heal. My buddy came over to help me hang some shelving and nearly busted his chin when he stepped on a damp patch. I ended up having to grind the whole surface and redo it with a wood float just to get some traction. Never again with magnesium on a garage slab, not worth the risk.

elliotr393mo ago

That slick finish is a real safety hazard when it gets wet. Magnesium just seals the surface too tight for my liking. A wood float leaves a bit more texture for traction.

the_ruby3mo ago

@elliotr39 have you ever had someone slip on a floor you finished? I've seen it happen and it's scary, makes you rethink the whole process. Maybe a rougher finish is worth the extra time.