DAY1 extends finishing time, makes it easier to close, and lubricates the trowel. It reduces drag and tearing, slows premature drying, and minimizes checking and crazing. Most importantly, it does not add excessive water.
In this test, three slabs are poured in adverse, winter conditions. Slab A gets no finishing aid. Slab B gets water added to the surface. Slab C is treated with DAY1. To make this a true torture test, the slabs were poured with a 3 ½ inch slump and added accelerators. At the time of this test, a similar mix design was used by the Missouri Department of Transportation for fast-setting road patches, drivable in 3 hours.
The finisher on Slab A faced severe challenges. Immediately, he had trouble bull floating and closing the holes in the concrete. After almost 40 minutes, the concrete had set up too much to continue finishing. Even after significant effort floating the concrete, it still had a rough finish, full of holes and tears.
The Slab B finisher, using water, was able to finish in approximately 40 minutes, as well. He was able to get a smooth surface and properly edge the perimeter of the concrete. However, there was not enough workable time to groove in control joints. Furthermore, while smooth, the surface was weakened by the water and will be prone to surface defects such as cracking and discoloration.
Using DAY1, the finisher on Slab C had a much easier time. The DAY1 created far more cream than was present on Slabs A or B. He and was able to close the surface of the test slab in under 20 minutes. Despite starting last, the finisher on Slab C was able to complete his slab before the others, groove in control joints, and add decorative touches to his perfectly finished slab.
In this torture test, the finisher on Slab C was able to achieve better results because he used DAY1. Using only a quart of DAY1, versus the gallon of water used on Slab B, Slab C achieved a better finish more easily and faster than either Slabs A or B. It had more workable time, allowing for more intricate finishes and more room for adverse conditions.
