Low-carbon and Type 1L concrete often gains strength slowly, leaving slabs too soft to grind or hold up to heavy equipment. PowerPrep LC is a slab pre-treatment that restores critical properties in these mixes, including those with reduced or zero cement, so the slab reaches its intended hardness faster. Applied before Ashford Formula or RetroPlate, it maximizes densification. In testing, treated slabs went from Mohs 3 to an average of Mohs 7.5 in 14 days, keeping polishing and construction on schedule.
PowerPrep LC
Low-Carbon Slab Pre-Treatment
Sizes:
55 gal, 5 gal
Coverage Rates:
200 ft²/gal (4–5 m²/L)
Dilution Ratio:
Ready to Use
Quick Links & Tools
Reaches Grind-Ready Hardness Sooner
Ensures low-carbon and Type 1L concrete achieves expected hardness quicker, within standard timelines.
Maximizes Densification
Increases the number of densification sites in the concrete, so Ashford Formula or RetroPlate can fully react and deliver maximum hardness.
Protects the Slab During Construction
A harder surface holds up better to heavy equipment and trades traffic, which reduces the risk of damage before the floor is finished.
Keeps Projects on Schedule
Slabs are ready for the next operation on time, which avoids the setbacks caused by slow hardening.
Fits Into Your Existing Process
Apply it during the same phase as an Ashford Formula cure, or use it as a pre-densifier before grinding. It ships ready to use, with no dilution or mixing.
Low-Carbon Performance That Matches OPC
Helps low-carbon concrete perform like traditional OPC concrete, so sustainability goals don't cost floor performance.
For full application instructions, view the Technical Data Sheet (TDS).
How do I know if my slab needs PowerPrep LC?
Perform a Mohs scratch test in several locations before grinding. If the slab is below Mohs 4, it isn’t ready to polish, and pre-treating with PowerPrep LC followed by Ashford Formula or RetroPlate will help it get there faster.
Why do low-carbon and Type 1L slabs struggle to reach hardness?
These mixes replace part of the cement with limestone or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). That lowers the carbon footprint, but it can also slow strength gain and leave the surface softer than traditional OPC concrete during the early life of the slab.
Can I use PowerPrep LC with a densifier other than Ashford Formula or RetroPlate?
PowerPrep LC has been tested and validated only with Ashford Formula and RetroPlate. Its performance with other densifiers isn’t known, so pairing it with one of these two is the only way to get the results shown on the TDS.
Will I still need multiple densifier applications on Type 1L concrete?
Some manufacturers recommend several densifier applications on Type 1L. Pre-treating with PowerPrep LC restores the components the densifier needs to react, so a single application of Ashford Formula or RetroPlate can do the job.
What’s the difference between PowerPrep LC and PowerPrep Finishing Aid, and can I use both?
They solve different problems at different stages, and both can be used on the same floor. PowerPrep Finishing Aid is used during floating and troweling to reduce stickiness and produce a better finish. PowerPrep LC is applied after finishing, before the densifier, to increase the densification sites in the concrete. Used together, they help the slab finish better and reach its intended hardness faster.
Can PowerPrep LC be used on traditional OPC concrete?
Yes. It can be applied during the same phase used for an Ashford Formula cure on any concrete, and it helps the slab reach maximum hardness sooner than Ashford Formula alone.
Is PowerPrep LC included in Curecrete’s specifications?
Yes. The Ashford Formula Manu-Spec and the RetroPlate 033543 spec are both available in versions that include Curecrete’s low-carbon concrete solutions products on the Literature page.
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Coverage Rates: 1,500–2,000 ft2/gal (37–50 m2/L)
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