Cover bathroom wallboards to prevent moisture damage.
Bathroom wallboards are prone to moisture damage, especially if the bathroom is in a basement or has no windows. To minimize the chances of moisture buildup, which can lead to mold, you must properly finish, prime and paint the wallboard. Finishing wallboard requires three separate stages, called coats. Allow each coat to dry for at least 24 hours before starting the next one. When the finishing coats are complete, you can then prime and paint the bathroom.
Instructions
1. Apply the first coat to the wallboard joints. Use ready-mixed joint compound and paper drywall tape to hide all the joints. Wipe a generous amount of compound onto a joint, then place a piece of tape over the middle of the joint. Use a 6-inch drywall knife to wipe the tape flat so that it is smooth and wrinkle-free. For corner joints, fold a length of tape in half so that it forms a sharp corner, then place it on the corner. Use a 6-inch knife to remove the excess compound, but be careful -- it is very easy to tear the paper tape. To finish the first coat, cover all the screw heads with a thin coat of compound, just enough so that they are flush with the wallboard surface. Let it dry.
2. Apply the second coat to the wallboard. Use 6- and 12-inch drywall knives to lay thick coats over all the tape you installed. Apply a thin coat over all the screw heads. Hold the drywall knives close to the wallboard at a tight angle while you make the final wipe -- this smooths out the coverage and minimizes the appearance of tiny air bubbles and craters. Avoid leaving thick edges, which may be difficult to sand later. Let it dry.
3. Sand the second-coated areas with 100-grit sandpaper. Mix a little water into the joint compound, enough to give it a creamy, yogurt-like consistency. Apply a thin coat of compound over all the second-coated areas. Repeat the coating process as often as necessary until the wallboard is smooth and free of tool marks and blemishes. After it dries, finish the third coat by sanding everything down with 150-grit sandpaper.
4. Prime the wallboard. If your bathroom has poor ventilation or is in a dank location, use a mold-resistant primer available at most hardware stores. Otherwise, apply regular drywall primer. Use a roller for large areas and a brush for tight, hard-to-reach areas.
5. Paint the wallboard. Choose a color that matches your bathroom decor. Use semigloss or high-gloss paint if you think the wallboard may receive occasional splashing. Use flat or matte paint if you want to minimize the appearance of surface blemishes.
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