Joint compound and drywall tape make wall joints invisible.
Drywall comes in large panels that attach to the structural studs used to frame walls and ceilings. After the panels are in place, you must finish them to cover the joints. Taping out seams isn't difficult, but it does require a little knowledge of the taping process. If you're taping and finishing your own drywall, try some tips and tricks used by drywall contractors to make the process go quicker and give you better results.
Instructions
1. Use premixed joint compound, instead of mixing dry compound with water. The dry compound is slightly less expensive, but you must have a drill with a mixer attachment and blend the compound thoroughly or you'll end up with lumps.
2. Start with a small taping knife and use a wider one later. A smaller, 6-inch knife, makes the initial application of compound easier to control, while a 10-inch or 12-inch knife feathers out the edges of the wet compound more efficiently.
3. Use paper drywall tape if you're finishing out new construction but use mesh tape if you're making repairs. Paper tape is thin and will give your wall a smooth look when used in large areas. Mesh tape is self-adhesive and requires less labor when patching small areas.
4. Fill a mud pan about half-full of joint compound instead of scooping the compound out of the large bucket it came in. A mud pan is narrow and rectangular and has a sharp edge on one side where you can wipe residue off your taping knives as you work.
5. Work quickly once you start applying joint compound, especially if you're taping on a hot day, when the compound can begin to harden within minutes. Keep the lid on the compound bucket tightly closed.
6. Apply "hot" mud if you're confident in your taping skills. Hot mud dries rapidly, allowing you to sand and apply a second coat within a couple of hours. However, if you're having a tough time getting the seams smooth, use regular joint compound so you have more time to work with it.
7. Walk on stilts if you have many high areas to tape. Drywall stilts are available at construction rental stores and they are safer than the stilts you played on as a child. These stilts feature moveable bases and flexible supports that bend as you walk. However, if you're not comfortable on the stilts, use a sturdy ladder to reach the upper walls.
8. Attach an extension pole to your drywall sander to reach high spots without climbing.
9. Apply thin, multiple coats of drywall compound instead of one thick application. The compound contracts as it dries, so multiple thin coats will give you a smoother finish.
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