Abstract: A screed device (10) used as a guide for removing excess mortar from a vertical surface after being set to a predetermined position, consisting of an elongated, narrow, rectangular shaft that contains three grooves (12) located near the top, bottom, and center of the back side of the said shaft, each accommodating a small block (14)). The blocks are attached to the wall with self-tapping screws (22) which pass through the shaft and the blocks thereby connecting the shaft to the blocks and the blocks to the surface being coated. The shaft is able to be adjusted in and out from the blocks as necessary to achieve a plumb position by rotation of a connecting post (24) contained within the block. The connecting post has a retainer clip (26) that compresses the face of the shaft between the head of the post and the clip to keep the post from falling out of the block when adjusted.