That cheap release agent ruined a whole slab I poured in Phoenix last July

I used a budget brand from a local supply house because it was $8 less per gallon and the whole surface came out blotchy and wouldn't take sealer right. Cost me $300 in extra labor to grind it down and redo it - has anyone else had issues with off-brand release agents?

3 comments

3 Comments

sam_cooper5d ago

Man, that's a bummer. It's like people just see the price tag and think they're being smart, but they ignore the whole job it's doing. The pattern I see everywhere is that cutting corners on the stuff that actually does the work just ends up costing you more in the long run. Cheap tires, cheap paint, cheap concrete supplies - they all have a reason for being cheap, and it's never because they work just as good. You paid for the lesson, but at least now you know.

casey2685d ago

Bet on the brand name tax too. Same exact rubber compound and tire design from the same factory in China, but one has a Michelin guy sticker on it and costs double. The cheap ones often skip on quality control and warranty backing, not just the fancy logo. I've seen people pay less for a "house brand" concrete sealer that failed in 6 months, then had to pay triple to grind it all off and start over. Sometimes the "premium" is just paying for the peace of mind that the thing won't screw you sideways.

garcia.wren5d ago

Same logic applies to shoes, mattresses, and anything that separates you from the ground.