Right way to use sponge float

ok let see.. when using a sponge you need to be careful, lay on your ceiling or wall as normal get it as flat as you can.. now timing is everything wait until the work starts to lose its shine (not until it start to frim up that's way to long) Now take your sponge float from the bottom of your wall and come up as far as you can reach then come from the top of the wall downward (no circular motions that's a big NO-NO). if its on a ceiling, work away from the light fitting to the sides (about 1m) then bring the sides in to join up the body of work. Remember too much water at this stage will not only cause plaster to go off but make you work really messy and pull the salts to the surface of plasterwork Try to use a nela trowel to flatten off. after about 3-5mins. then a light haze of clean water from sprayer now use plastic if you have it or steel trowel (used at a close angle) but be careful if using stainless steel trowel's will drag your work at this stage! Once colour starts to change hard trowel as usual and your good to go give a final trowel if you so wish Hope this helps

I personally don't use a sponge float very often when skimming, only for blending in patchwork or if I needed added time during a set. I would reccommend using one if needed once you have your wall or ceiling flat and free of lines etc. Wait until it firms up, spray area with water and in circular motions go over the area with sponge float then trowel off 'fat'. Leave to set and polish wall or ceiling off using trowel as usual.