That "wet paint" analogy you mentioned... I used to be convinced that wire speed and voltage settings were the only keys to vertical up. But after struggling with my own sagging beads, I saw a guy who made it look effortless by just working the puddle slowly. It completely shifted my focus from machine settings to hand technique. Now I realize that arc length and travel speed are everything, because they let you steer that molten metal where it needs to go. Getting that rhythm down honestly feels like unlocking a secret level in welding.