Shelly,

Doyle sells the best trowel at the school.
Having someone to burnish and polish behind you is the answer. In my opinion, to effectively apply these plasters, and to acheive the highest shine, you need a little arm strength. As silly as it sounds,...working out, push ups and some arm curls will make your applications a lot easier.
If it doesnt hurt a little when your burnishing and polishing your doing something wrong.

Muscle. Scott has it correct. To get the look that you want you gotta give it a little muscle. Burnishing takes it out of you. But the end result is worth every stroke of the trowel.

Hi Shelly,

What product are you burnishing? The product used can make a difference in the answer.

BTW, the class and it's instructors are great! You will be glad you waited.


David

Burnishing is the easy part.
I taught a guy to burnish. He loves it ,I pay 100 a day.
Its not hard to teach people the art of burnishing.