When hand floating, float and trowel blades may be of different sizes, but finishers should always start with the ________ size and then move to the _________ size.

When hand floating, float and trowel blades may be of different sizes, but finishers should always start with the ________ size and then move to the _________ size.

• A. Larger; Smaller
• B. Smaller; Larger
• C. Medium; Smaller
• D. Equal; Variable

Answer: (A)

Beginning with a larger size allows you to quickly level the surface and knock down high spots over a wide area. It gives you efficient control over the overall contour, setting up a solid base for the finish. Then switching to a smaller size lets you refine the surface, smooth out remaining irregularities, and achieve a finer, more uniform finish. Starting with the smaller blade first would make it harder to correct larger flaws later, so the best sequence is larger first, then smaller.

Beginning with a larger size allows you to quickly level the surface and knock down high spots over a wide area. It gives you efficient control over the overall contour, setting up a solid base for the finish. Then switching to a smaller size lets you refine the surface, smooth out remaining irregularities, and achieve a finer, more uniform finish. Starting with the smaller blade first would make it harder to correct larger flaws later, so the best sequence is larger first, then smaller.