Coating a joint
The 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 polishes the second coat, leaving everything smooth and ready for paint. Work on one joint at a time. After each coat, allow the joint compound to dry entirely before starting the next coat. Wet compound has a grayish color. Dried joint compound is bone-white.
Supplies and Preparation
You will need a selection of drywall knives (a 6 inch and 12 inch, at the very least), a device for holding the joint compound (either a mud pan or a drywall hawk), ready-mixed joint compound and paper drywall tape. Do not use mesh drywall tape. Paper drywall tape will form a stronger joint.
Prepare the joints for finishing. Before a drywall panel is hung, it is easy to damage its edges. For this reason, the joints where the panels meet always need to be checked for gouges and blisters. Cut out any loose material and scrape away any debris before you begin taping.
First Coat
To tape a joint, cover it entirely with a generous coat of joint compound. Use a 6 inch drywall knife for best coverage. Don't try to work over too large an area, or you will not be able finish the joint before it starts drying. After applying the compound, lay a section of paper drywall tape on it. Then wipe the tape with your drywall knife, removing as much compound as possible.
For inside corner joints, you may find it easier to water down the joint compound to get a lighter consistency. This allows you to wipe away the joint compound without tearing the paper with the edge of your knife, a common problem. Also, fold the tape in half before you apply it. It will create a sharper corner.
Second Coat
Cover all the tapes with a thick coat of joint compound. Use the 12 inch knife for the flat joints and the 6 inch for the inside corners. The goal is to hide the tapes completely. Try to leave the surface as smooth as possible.
Third Coat and Final Sanding
Sand all the flat joints with 100 grit sandpaper. The inside corners will not need a third coat, so you can skip sanding them for now. Once all the sanding has been completed, cover the flat joints with a thin coat of joint compound, wiping it off immediately after you apply it. This will fill the sanding marks and cover the surface imperfections.
Once everything has dried, sand everything with 150 grit sandpaper. It will smooth away any remaining surface imperfections and leave a uniform finish for painting. Use an angled drywall sanding sponge for the inside corners.
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