I tested this MudShield Concentrate
I tested this MudShield Concentrate by building a small wooden mold and pouring concrete to create a stepping stone. I diluted the concentrate according to the recommended ratio and applied it to one side of the wooden form while leaving the opposite side untreated so I could make a side-by-side comparison.
The treated wood did become noticeably darker after application, but the product was easy to mix and apply.
After the concrete cured, I removed the wooden form and compared both sides. In my particular test, both the treated and untreated wood released from the concrete easily, and I did not notice a major difference in how easily the forms came off or how much concrete remained attached.
Because this was a relatively small and simple concrete project, it may not have been demanding enough to fully demonstrate the benefits of a concrete form release agent. I can see this product potentially being more beneficial for larger concrete projects, repeated form use, more complex forms, or situations where concrete tends to stick to the forming material.
Overall, the product was easy to dilute and apply, and I appreciate that it is water-based. While my specific stepping-stone test did not show a dramatic difference compared with untreated wood, I would like to test it again on a larger or more challenging concrete project.