Jumped on board with this last year on a job in Richmond. Had a batch I thought was too loose, let it slake for half an hour like the old guys said, and it was the smoothest mud I ever worked with. Less trowel drag and the bricks stuck way better than my usual stiff mix. Been doing it ever since, even on small jobs.

@morgan_bailey93 I used to think people were overreacting about these apps but now I get it. My phone updated overnight once and turned on some auto-enhance setting that RUINED a bunch of shots from a family gathering. Never ignore the little settings changes, they add up REAL fast.

Honestly I switched to doing it that way about a year ago and haven't looked back. The key is keeping that 5-in-1 clean between passes or you'll drag dried paint right into your fresh line. Tbh it takes a little practice but once you get the feel for the pressure it's way faster than a brush for sure.

@cole994 that try catch example alone is a good reason to skip those meetups if you ask me.

The really annoying part nobody talks about is how the city can wiggle out of paying for it. I filed a claim with TDOT after mine bent a control arm last year and they denied it because apparently they have 10 days after getting notified about a pothole to fix it before they're liable. So unless someone reported that exact pothole online or by phone before you hit it, you're basically SOL. Maybe check if there's a way to see if that pothole was already reported. Could make the difference between eating the cost and getting reimbursed.