Bull Float Tips

Purchasing

• Deciding on a bull float to purchase will depend on your budget and size of area you will be finishing. Bull floats generally are 8 to 10 inches wide and range from 3 to 10 feet in length. Large models are much harder to use due to the weight and should only be attempted by experienced workers. Float construction materials include wood, aluminum and magnesium, with wood being the cheapest. Aluminum and magnesium models with cross braces feature more strength and a longer life than the wood models.

Handles

• Bull float handles extend the user's reach, allowing them to finish areas with little or no access. Manufactured from aluminum, magnesium and fiberglass, they come in standard 4 and 8 foot sections. Choose aluminum or magnesium handles if you are going to be connecting multiple lengths as the fiberglass will start to bend after a few sections. Fiberglass handles are best utilized when working around power lines, as the handles will insulate you against shock.

Using

• Bull floats work best when placed on the surface and pushed and pulled back and forth vertically. When an area is smooth you must pick the float off the surface and place back down next to the smooth surface. Trying to float diagonally will cause lines within the finished surface. Bull floats feature a mechanism which causes the front or back to raise when the handle is twisted. The leading edge of the float should always be raised or the float will dig into the concrete and the surface will have to be refinished.

Cleaning

• It is essential that a bull float be properly cleaned before and after every use. Clean the float with a sponge using dish soap or car wash soap mixed with water. This will remove any concrete residue and dirt from the float which can harden and damage the surface. You should continually spray the float with water during the finishing process to prevent buildup from occurring, which will cause grooves and pits in the finished surface.