Rant: Wasted $400 on a rapid set overlay mix that turned into a nightmare

I figured I'd save time last month on a driveway patch job in Phoenix by using one of those super fast curing overlay mixes. Big mistake. The stuff said it was workable for 20 minutes but in 105 degree heat it started setting up in like 8 minutes. I ended up with a crusty mess that had to be jackhammered out. Cost me $400 for the bags plus a full Saturday I'll never get back. What's your go to mix when it's scorching hot out and you need something that won't fight you?

2 comments

2 Comments

river1821mo agoMost Upvoted

I mean $400 for rapid set in Phoenix heat sounds rough, but I think you might have been fighting the wrong product for the conditions. Once it gets above 90 degrees, those fast cure mixes are basically a race against time. For hot weather I usually grab a bag of Quikrete 5000 with a bottle of their set retarder. You add just a little bit of the retarder and it buys you an extra 10-15 minutes of work time without killing the final strength. Also, I always store the bags in the shade and mix with ice cold water if I can, it makes a huge difference in how long you get to work with it.

finley9391mo ago

Honestly, @river182, that retarder just adds another variable to fail.