Finished Drywall
Drywall finishing looks easy, but it takes years to master. The process is simple to understand. Each coat has a specific goal that must be met. If it is not, that coat must be repeated. Although it may seem hard at first, there are some basic techniques that will help you master drywall finishing.
Joint Compound Preparation Techniques
Proper joint compound consistency is vital. Add room-temperature water to ready-mixed joint compound a little bit at a time. If the joint compound becomes too runny, there is no way to remove the excess water. Generally, the more watery the consistency, the easier it is to wipe with your tools. The first and second coat will require thick consistencies (because the goal is to cover the joints with a thick coat), and the third coat will require a thinner consistency (because the goal is to fill surface imperfections with a polish coat).
The consistency of setting-type joint compound has to be correct from the start. Follow the manufacturer's directions to mix setting-type joint compound. Typically, you will have to pour a certain amount of room-temperature water into a bucket, then slowly add the powder mix to the bucket while stirring constantly. Do not pour the water into the powder because the mixture will turn out lumpy and unusable. After mixing, you will have a limited amount of time to work with the joint compound before it dries. For this reason, setting-type joint compound is not recommended for beginners.
Coating Techniques
Drywall panels are hung next to each other, forming joints where they meet. Flat joints and inside corners need to be covered by paper drywall tape, which has to be embedded in a thick coat of joint compound. To do this, lay a thick, even coat of joint compound over the joint, making sure there are no bare spots. Then lay paper tape over the compound and wipe away as much joint compound as possible with your drywall tools. For sharper inside corners, fold the tape in half before applying it. Finally, cover all the fastener heads and outside corners with a coat of joint compound.
For the second coat, cover over the tape, fasteners and outside corners with a thick coat of joint compound, feathering the edges and leaving the surfaces as smooth as possible.
For the third coat, sand all the coated surfaces with 100-grit sandpaper before applying a polish coat. The polish coat is a thin application of joint compound that is completely wiped off, leaving the surface smooth and blemish-free.
Finally, sand all the coated surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper. This will smooth away any surface imperfections that remain. Make sure the edges of all coated surfaces are also sanded smooth, or they will be visible through the paint.
Related posts
Coating a jointThe major part of any drywall project is finishing the joints. The first coat consists of embedding tapes over the joints, the second coat covers those tapes and the third coat poli...
Drywall finishing is simple to understand but difficult to master. Drywall panels are hung next to each other using either screws or nails. Where the panels meet is called a joint. The joints need...
Rushing through drywall finishing will result in problems in the future.Hanging drywall is a simple process, but finishing the joints between pieces can be a difficult task. A number of problems c...
Texturing walls can add dimension and character to any room.Do-it-yourself wall texturing techniques can add depth and character to any room. With the use of a hopper gun and joint compound, dollo...
Walls provide structural definition to interior spaces. Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces are all delineated by walls. Drywall walls are constructed of sheet-rock screwed to wood or...
