1/4" plywood...lots of stakes

 

Masonite floor protection for me.

 

Masonite or if it is a soft bend you can use 1x material.

 

I heard of using diesel fuel as a release agent for the forms. Is there any truth to that?

I've done some free concrete projects in the past for my mom (large patio, some side walk), and friends (side walk, small patio). But I've never used a release agent.

 

Yes....but don't say that (diesel) on the job site with authorities around. It is always "form release". :laughing:

 

I use the white plastic exterior trim material, "azek" or a less expensive alternative.
It works great as long as you don't have a tight radius, they clean up pretty good and can be used many times over.

 

I use the white plastic exterior trim material, "azek" or a less expensive alternative.
It works great as long as you don't have a tight radius, they clean up pretty good and can be used many times over.

I guess it would be similar to masonite as far as clean up, etc.

 

I have use masonite and always worked good. Spraying the diesel fuel works good for release.

 

SSSSHHHHHHH. We're not supposed to say that. lol

 

2 or 3 layers of 1/4" ply. When you get the curve you want throw some screws through it and it will stay curved. And lots of stakes

 

1/2" ply for soft curves, 1/4" for tight..

 

Anybody else ever use Pam cooking spray as the releasing agent?

 

Yes for small projects. Also, I've used soybean oil, which is non-hazardous. About the same price as diesel/gal.

 

3/8" Smart trim/board works good for the not so tight radius as well. And, you can get several uses out of it as opposed to masonite, which is one and trash it.

 

Masonite is what I use. I usually double it up though, have done pours where apparently the stakes were a bit too far apart and the weight of the concrete changed the nice radius a bit. So now I usually add a send layer of masonite and that has really hepled keep the sharp looking radius.

Form release is awesome, once you use it, you will always use it. It helps set the edges better, less open pockets I've noticed.

We used Diesel before, but the forms always stink, customers have complained about the stink and to slab tends to have the odor for awhile. I was told once, if you are serious about concrete, then be serious about the trade. Always use a cure/sealer and form release on every pour. It does help with keeping the form lumber in better shape and lasting longer. I usually spray it down the night before the pour to get a good soak on new form lumber and then a quick hit right before the truck arrives.

 

I've always used Masonite siding, ripped down to 4". Works until you bend it too much. I've been able to use the steel forms before. They work good. I don't have any though. Borrowed them.
We use "Clean strip" on the forms. Works good. 5 gal bucket lasts a long time.

 

I have a bunch of 1/4" by 4" by 8' strips of HDPE plastic I cut up from my snow plow. It will bend down to a radius under 12", and cleans up extremely easy w/o any release. For less aggressive curves, we use these forms. Some of the best money I've spent, bought 3 or 4 sets over the last 10 years and I don't think I've had one form replaced yet. I think they've paid for themselves, likely a few times over.......

http://www.metalforms.com/P/21/concreteCurbForm

 

Depending on how tight of a bend we use 1x4s or Masonite. Masonite is hard to stake up and keep completely straight over long runs so use 1x4 as much as you can and any really tight bends use the Masonite.

 

Looks like my guys used a radios steel form on one side and Masonite on the other.

There is one on the other side of the building that really tight, not sure we figured out what we are using on that one yet.

 

I buy 16' LP lap side and use the backside up to the concrete. You can get some really big radius's out of it. Rip it in half and it measures 3-1/2" same as a 2x4.