surface hardeners

[Diesel Dan]

Hello,
New poster here thought I'd jump in with a flooring question. Seen many of the threads on stains/polishing/epoxy etc. What about surface hardeners?

Specifically I'm considering Masterplate FF:
http://www.caribbean.basf-cc.com/en/products/Flooring_Systems/Dry-Shake_Metallic/Masterplate_FF/Pages/default.aspx

Benefits:
Enhances flatness
Can be applied to a newly placed slab for a flat or superflat floor (FF 25+)
Applied after screeding or bullfloating
Improved finishing proprietary admixtures
Resistance 4 times greater than mineral-aggregate hardeners and toppings and 8 times greater than plain concrete
Ranges from smooth to textured
Increased resistance to penetration by oil and grease

I've seen it on industrial floors and it really makes a difference for high wear/tear areas.
Any thoughts/comments?
No idea on costs as of yet.

 

[Blk88GT]

I used Sika Diamag 7 and had them power-trowel for hours until I got the finish I was after. I'm pleased with it so far but have only been working in the shop for less than a year.

http://can.sika.com/en/solutions_products/02/02a002/02a002sa59.html

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Beware of outlandish statistics as every slab is different.
I am fan of densifiers. They are the "anti-coating".

Lastly, grease and oil will still stain the slab. Only a topical product can stop that from happening entirely.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Masterplate Ff is some serious stuff and is what the steel mills use on there floors.
I've seen it used in industrial settings and that is what caught my attention. However after talking with a concrete supplier I think the cost has ruled it out.

You need to put down 1-2 lbs/sq. ft. so a minimum of 1200lbs for my 30x40 at a cost of ~$60/50lb bag puts it at over $1400 just for the masterplate which is almost as much as the concrete itself. I'll keep it in mind for when I win the lotto!

 

[Edger]

I would not call Masterplate a hardener. Hardeners are a light spray of activated liquid that toughen up the slab surface, Masterplate is a powder mix that you float into the wet concrete to form a hard finish on top of the slab.

I have shot blasted it many times and applied an epoxy coating which I thought was no better than the Masterplate. Expensive, but a very good surface on strong concrete. I would recommend it if you were going to repair bulldozers in the garage.