Smooth taped joints with a drywall sander.
Drywall panels, made from compressed gypsum particles, feature factory edges that are slightly mitered, giving a smooth wall surface after taping. However, it's not always possible to install drywall with the factory edges meeting, because not every framing project will accommodate whole sheets of drywall. When you must cut drywall panels and butt the rough edges together, you create a butt joint. You then must apply mud and tape in a way that extends the mud over a larger surface of the wall, reducing crown lines.
Instructions
1. Apply a coat of premixed drywall compound to the seam created by the butt joint. Use a six-inch taping knife, and scoop up about 1/2 cup of compound at a time, smoothing it into and over the seam.
2. Cut a piece of drywall paper tape about two inches shorter than the seam you're taping, and position it over the damp drywall compound.
3. Smooth the drywall paper tape into place with the taping knife, stroking from the center of the tape to each end. As long as the compound is wet, the tape will adhere securely.
4. Switch to the 12-inch taping knife to further smooth the edges of the compound and feather it out over a larger wall expanse.
5. Let the compound dry completely before applying another thin coat directly on top of the seam, spreading the compound evenly with the 12-inch taping knife. Allow the seam to dry again.
6. Apply a coat of drywall compound on each side of the dried compound. Think of it as taping out another seam on either side of the real seam. Use the 12-inch taping knife, and spread the compound very thin. This is called "building out the joint."
7. Sand the wide drywall seam with a drywall sander when it's completely dry.
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