I am pouring a small foundation wall. I plan to make the forms out of ply and 2x4s. Do I need to coat the inside of the forms with anything to help the forms seperate from the set-up concrete?
Edited 10/16/2002 1:51:58 PM ET by tim
I am pouring a small foundation wall. I plan to make the forms out of ply and 2x4s. Do I need to coat the inside of the forms with anything to help the forms seperate from the set-up concrete?
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Replies
You can buy form release oil from indusrial contractor supplies.I'e seen diesel fuel used as a form release, I would not reccomend it. Plastic sheeting stapled over the edges and several inches down on the stud side of the forms will work best. This is more time consuming and not always practical but you say you are pouring a small wall, so the sheeting sounds like the way to go .
Hi Tim.
Mike K. gave you good advice about release oil and using plastic. However, if you vibrate the concrete when pouring, or simply tap on the forms to help fill the small voids that can occur, you really don't need any release agent. Pour your foundation, and strip the forms the next day or so...don't wait too long or it could become hard to seperate the forms...also, don't let concrete spillage gather and harden around the base of the forms...this will make it more difficult to strip as well.
You could pour old cooking oil into a garden sprayer and spray this on the forms if you like...but if you plan on stripping the forms in a day or so...no will worries if you don't use a release agent. A long pry bar always helps when stripping.
Davo