Method is provided for applying a cement mixture to a honeycomb body including the step of aligning a first end of the honeycomb body with respect to a first longitudinal axis of a first support member. The method further includes the step of aligning a second support member with respect to the second end of the honeycomb body. The second support member is allowed to move relative to the first support member such that a second longitudinal axis of second support member is not coincident with the first longitudinal axis. The method further includes the step of fixing the position of the honeycomb body with respect to the first support member and the second support member. The method still further includes the step of applying a cement mixture to the honeycomb body. An apparatus is provided that is configured to apply a cement mixture to a honeycomb body.