Surface Retarder

Reference Guide
MasterFinish® Retarders for
Creating Beautiful Exposed
Aggregate Concrete

Page 1 of 4
MasterFinish Surface Retarders Surface Retarder Reference Guide
from Master Builders Solutions Retarders for creating beautiful exposed aggregate concrete

Surface Retarder Reference Guide for Exposed Aggregate Concrete

MasterFinish HC MasterFinish HC
Retarder Light Etches Regular Etches MasterFinish HV

Key Feature Light Etch Heat Resistant Vertical Pours

Base Solvent Solvent Solvent

Specialized high abrasion

General purpose form retarder, resistant form retarder
Light etch form retarder. Can
also recommended for recommended for vertical
Description be used to reduce or eliminate
excessive heat or extended pours, extended pour time,
costly sandblasting.
time in form applications. or other difficult casting
conditions.

Etch Color Code (1) & (2) Blue, Gold Lilac, Pink, Tan, Brown Gold, Lilac, Pink, Grey
Concrete Placement Time 20 to 30 min. 10 to 15 min. 25 to 35 min.
Recommended Maximum 110 °F
160 °F 110 °F
Concrete Temperature (3) 120 °F (Gold)
Coverage – ft2/gallon 200 200 200

Method of Application (4) S,R S,B,R S,B,R

Retarder Transfer
MasterFinish QD 200 MasterFinish QD 200 MasterFinish QD 200
Agent Needed
70 °F - 7 days 70 °F - 48 h
Concrete Temp. – 70 °F - 72 h
110 °F - 72 h 90 °F - 20 h
Recommended Time (5) 100 °F - 24 h
160 °F - 8 h 110 °F - 16 h
Drying Time (6) 15 min. 15 min. 15 min.

(2) For custom blending of retarder, consult a BASF

Aggregate size Etch representative.
Sandblast/Acid Etch Blue (3) Recommendation is based on results with 3:1:1
1/8 in. - 1/4 in. Gold concrete made with US white cement, Type I. Grey
Type I withstands 10 °F higher temperature.
1/4 in. - 3/8 in. Lilac
(4) S - Spray - Conventional air spray or airless equipment.
3/8 in. - 1/2 in. Pink B - Brush
R - Short Nap Roller
1/2 in. - 5/8 in. Tan
(5) This is the maximum recommended time at the internal
5/8 in. - 3/4 in. Brown concrete temperature mentioned, which should
3/4 in. & up Grey provide full depth of exposure according to the etch
(color) selected.
Etch on white concrete will generally be
lighter than grey concrete

www.master-builders-solutions.basf.us Page 2 of 4
MasterFinish Surface Retarders Surface Retarder Reference Guide
from Master Builders Solutions Retarders for creating beautiful exposed aggregate concrete

Surface Retarder Reference Guide for Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Retarder Transfer Agent
(use under MasterFinish HC
and MasterFinish HV only)
MasterFinish UC MasterFinish EA MasterFinish XR MasterFinish QD 200
General purpose,
One Coat Top Surface Heavy Bodied, Pigmented particularly for Vertical Pours,
Abrasion or Heat
Solvent Water Water Solvent
Helps retarder film transfer
Heavy bodied, pigmented,
Specialized, one-coat, general Top surface retarder for from the form to the concrete
water-based retarder.
purpose form retarder with new sidewalks, driveways, during the stripping process.
Recommended for use on top
excellent abrasion resistance. construction joints, and other Specially formulated for
surfaces, or as a form retarder
No retarder transfer agent face-up exposed aggregate vertical pours, extended pour
on flat panels, ICF formliners
required. Saves time. concrete applications. time, or extreme pouring
or construction joints (9).
conditions.
Lilac, Pink Regular, Deep (7) Lilac, Pink N/A
20 to 30 min. N/A 5 to 10 min. N/A
100 °F 110 °F 110 °F 160 °F
300 150 200 250
S,B,R
S, B, R S (8) S,B,R
(top surface S only)
None None None N/A
70 °F - 48 h 70 °F - 36 h 70 °F - 48 h
90 °F - 36 h 90 °F - 24 h 90 °F - 36 h N/A
110 °F - 24 h 110 °F - 16 h 110 °F - 20 h
10 - 20 min. Does not apply 30 min. 10 min.

(6) Time required for complete drying before casting. (9) MasterFinish XR can be used to keep brick or tile clean
This is based on 8 mil application (200 ft2/gallon) for from grout leakage on brick or tile faced precast panels
retarders at 75 °F and 50% humidity on a flat surface. (Consult BASF).
High humidity, cold temperatures and poor ventilation
Information contained herein is based on scientific methods
will increase drying time.
used under laboratory conditions. Field conditions differ and
(7) MasterFinish EA Regular is generally used on 1/2 in. or give variable results accordingly. For best results, samples
smaller aggregate. MasterFinish EA Deep on 1/2 in. or should be made using the same mixture proportions, panel
larger aggregate. thickness, etc. The BASF technical staff should be consulted.
Refer to the data sheets for additional information. No
(8) MasterFinish EA Regular and MasterFinish EA Deep
warranty of results is implied.
can be sprayed with a pump type garden sprayer.

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