Sheetrock compound is available in three main types: taping, topping and all-purpose. Taping compound is used as the first coat when finishing drywall and topping compound is used for subsequent and the final coats. All-purpose compound can be used during all stages of the finishing process and is the type most commonly chosen. Make sure the drywall is ready for compound by ensuring that the screws are at the proper depth in the sheetrock and that the sheets have been properly fit together.
Instructions
1. Mix the sheetrock mud with water in a bucket according to the manufacturer's directions. Mix the mud with a specially formulated mud mixer electric drill attachment or a drywall mud stamper, also called a mud masher.
2. Scoop the sheetrock compound onto the trowel from the bucket to fill the trowel with mud.
3. Smooth the sheetrock mud about 1/4 of an inch thick into the seams between two pieces of drywall with a wide trowel.
4. Press drywall tape into the wet compound with your hands so that the entire seam is covered with tape. Make sure the tape lays flat on the surface.
5. Angle the trowel forward at a 30-degree angle and smooth the tape into the compound in one continuous motion. Remove the excess compound material that is pressed out of the tape and return it to the bucket.
6. Repeat to fill and tape all the seams.
7. Fill the screw holes with sheetrock compound about 1/4 of an inch thick. The trowel should always be kept at an angle, working in long, smooth strokes.
8. Allow the drywall compound to dry according to the manufacturer's directions for the product. Drywall mud may need to dry several hours or a full day depending on the product.
9. Sand the seam and nail areas with a sheetrock sander. A sheetrock sander is a special tool with small holes that smooth rough compound texture. Sand the areas until they are smooth to the touch, paying special attention to the feathered areas where the compound ends and the drywall paper begins. Wear a facemask when sanding drywall to reduce respiratory irritation.
10. Clean the loose drywall dust from the area with a vacuum.
11. Apply the second and third coats in the same manner as the first, allowing the drywall compound to dry and sanding between coats.
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