Fast and Efficient
Small scale taping as done in drywall repair jobs or remodel jobs, that involve only a room or two are done differently than whole house taping and finishing. Small scale taping usually employs the use of quick setting drywall compound for the first coats. Depending on the extent of the job, often all the taping and mudding is done in one day, leaving the final coat of standard compound to dry overnight for next day sanding and priming.
Quick set joint compound
Drywall compound (also known as “mud”) comes in two distinct types: chemical setting and standard air drying compound. Chemical setting compound comes in different setting times, from 5 minute setting for small repairs to 90 minute setting for finishing whole rooms. One popular brand of chemically setting drywall compound is USG “Easy Sand”. As it’s name implies, Easy Sand was made to be easier to sand than the old quick setting compounds which were hard and un-sandable. The advantage to using quick setting compound is that they allow you to do more than one coat in a day.
Mixing
Quick set compound comes in a powder because it begins to react once mixed with water, and the time clock begins ticking. One advantage to this powdered form is that you can leave it on the truck during the winter without the fear of it freezing. Quick set compound comes in bags (20lb) or even boxes. I use 5 minute set and 45 minute set compounds most of the time.
Using a mud pan
Most of the time I mix the quick set right inside a mud pan. This way I don’t need to clean out another container. Quick set compound will usually set right in the metal pan at the end of the set time. Seldom do I use all of the mud before it sets up on me. As a painter, I am most concerned with speed of drying and getting multiple coats of mud on as quickly as I can. I am usually dealing with repairs and sometimes a room or part of a room that needs to be taped and finished. I use a 1” spackle knife to clean out my mud pan at the end of each mix.
Speeding things up by force drying
When doing repairs, you can get three or four coats of quick set compound on and smoothed out in a matter of 15 minutes or so by using short set time mud, and blow drying with a hair dryer.
Drywall tape
Drywall tape is used wherever you have a crack (as in a stress crack), or a seam between drywall panels. Tape adds strength to the repair and helps to prevent re-cracking of the repair.
Types of tape
- Standard paper tape: This is the tape used by most drywallers on new construction. There is no adhesive on standard paper tape, it is embedded into wet drywall compound to hold it in place. Standard paper tape is susceptible to blistering where the tape is not sufficiently wetted or pressed into the drywall compound.
- Self adhesive paper tape: You can skip the embedding process with this tape. You apply this tape directly to the drywall and press it down with a spackle blade. Once adhered to the drywall, you apply the mud over the top. The type of self adhesive tape I use is perforated which allows the mud to make contact with the drywall and ties the tape down along with the adhesive.
- Fiberglass mesh tape (self adhesive): Very popular with DIY’ers, but not as easy to work with as the harder-to-find self adhesive paper tape. Fiberglass tape is very strong. The downside is the bumpiness of the mesh, which makes doing inside corners tougher to do smoothly.
Taping flat seams and cracks
Apply the tape to the crack or seam and smooth it down with a swipe of your 6” spackle knife. If you are using standard tape, press the tape into a layer of drywall compound and smooth it down.
Once the tape it down, apply a thin coat of drywall compound over the top of the tape. Allow this coat to dry.
Once the first coat is dry, you can apply the second coat of mud. The second coat of mud should be a little wider than the first, allowing for a tapering of the mud toward the outer edge.
You will need three coats of drywall compound on most taped seams or cracks. Apply the third a little wider than the second and allow this final coat to dry before sanding.
Dustless sanding
I always use a vacuum sanding attachment with a HEPA filtered shop vacuum to do all drywall sanding . Drywall dust will float all over the house if you dry sand. See Dust Free Drywall Sanding and Repairs.
Mudding a ceiling
Professionals use stilts to tape and mud ceilings. Most DIY’ers will find that stilts take some practice to get the hang of using them. I don’ t recommend the use of stilts for non-pros - too easy to fall and get hurt. What I do recommend is the use of the long handled broad knife. You will have to use a ladder or platform to apply the tape, but with the subsequent coats of compound you can apply from the floor with a long handled knife. Long handled knifes save lots of time, and you can “spot” all your nail dimples and other nicks etc.. on the ceiling with them as well.
Dustless Drywall Sanding
Sanding Attachments
Hepa Filters
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Taping and Mudding Drywall Repairs
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