I finally stopped fighting with my hawk on high ceilings

For years I'd try to load it up like a dinner plate and just muscle it overhead, dropping more mud than I put up. Two months ago on a big Reno job, an older guy saw me struggling and said 'you're carrying a brick, not a tool.' He showed me to load half as much and use a wider, smoother wrist flick. Now I get way less fatigue and cleaner coats. Anyone have a different trick for those 12 footers?

3 comments

3 Comments

riveradams17d ago

That "carrying a brick" line is so true. I found if I thin the mud just a tiny bit more than usual for high work, that flick gets even easier and it sticks way better up there.

graceblack17d ago

How much do you thin it? I found a little extra water makes that flick almost effortless.

kelly_west7417d ago

Honestly, my first few tries looked like I was trying to throw oatmeal at the ceiling. The real trick for me was just getting over my own stubbornness and using less mud, like the post says. Why do we always try to brute force things first?