Hey guys, busy wedding weekend here!
I've been keeping up with the post Mark. From your photos Mark, I'd have to guess that you used the broom a little too soon. The concrete wasn't set just right. Another tip, don't use a nylon broom. The brushed finish seems way to rough and deep. Yes. it is an art to find the right time and the right brush to use.
Now, I learned old school... I mean way old school with a cement mixer! My father and his brothers were true DIYer's back in the 50's, 60's and 70's. They didn't have much more than hand tools, a table saw and the cement mixer! They laid many pads for parking slabs, patios and cinder block buildings!
One thing that they all did, while in rubber boots, was to sort of dance through the newly laid cement. Might be where that jitterbug bug tool got it's name LOL! Basically, it pushed the gravel down and brought the a smooth surface to the top to work with. Yep, it was a lot of work... but another reason why they were in real good physical shape!
Most of the work they did is still in use today! It ranges from 60 to 30 years old, oops forgot about my cousin's house, that is still just 10 years old. We had two large patios off the ranch house that they built. That's where I grew up. One was 12'x40' the other was a half sphere off the house and about 12' x 35', both were tinted to match the brick work on the home! That was done in the 50's... unheard of back then unless you were really rich! We also laid two garage pads and lots of sidewalks! Those I helped with!
I'd have to give novice cement layers this advice, practice on a small 4x4' pad first. You can mix enough cement in a wheel barrow by hand to to create this. Consistency and timing are key factors here! How many people you have to help, your area, etc! There are so many variables when laying cement!
It's like cooking from scratch, you get use to the consistency of the recipe and get a feel for it!
Maureen