The highly alkaline bleed water in fresh concrete penetrates plywood form surfaces and removes the natural fats and oils from within the wood. Because these fats and oils keep the wood fibers pliable, their removal causes wood fibers to split and crack.

Nox-Crete’s chemically active form release agents replace the natural fatty acids lost to the concrete and also form metallic waterproof soaps on the form surface to help minimize the penetration of the alkaline bleed water. Regular use of Nox-Crete form release agents on wood forms is like using hand lotion on dry, chapped hands - the more frequently it is used, the fewer splits and cracks you will have and the longer your forms will last.