Drywall Mudding Tips

When you are ready to plaster your new drywall, these drywall mudding tips and video may be helpful.

Drywall Mudding Tip 1: Know Your Compounds and Tools

Preparation is the key. Familiarize yourself with the products and techniques you need before you begin to save time and get a better result.

Because mudding can be messy, be sure to lay down plastic and also wear protective eye and respiratory gear.

Jointing compound comes in both a powder and pre-mixed form and in three different textures: tapping, topping, and all-purpose. Taping compound is coarse and is used for the initial taping layer. Topping compound is much thinner and smoother than taping compound and is used for finishing the surface. All-purpose joint compound is halfway between taping and topping compound in both texture and thickness.

To apply the mud, use taping knives. These tools come in different lengths. Use one that is slightly longer than the previous one for each new layer.

Also make sure that all nails and screws are properly sunk in and that none of them are sticking out. To check, run a taping knife along the edges and seams. If you feel or hear anything against the metal, then you need to sink the nail or screw further into the drywall.

Drywall Mudding Tip 2: Follow the Proper Steps

Mudding drywall is a four-step, four-day process. Allow at least twenty-four hours of drying time between each application of compound.

Step 1
Start with a taping layer. Apply compound, and then insert paper-jointing tape into the joints, and then smooth with more compound. Cover up all of the sunk nails and screws with compound. When completing the taping layer, be sure all surfaces are filled and leveled.

Steps 2 and 3
The next steps are to apply two layers of compound to smooth out the surfaces. With each application, use a taping knife that is one or two inches longer than the previous one. For the second and third coat, use a taping knife that is anywhere from seven inches to a foot long.

Apply the compound on the joint and then smooth it by stroking each side, ending with one last stroke right down the middle.

Apply the mud in different thicknesses and with different pressure in different spots. When doing the side strokes, apply more pressure to the outside of the knife, whereas when doing the center stroke, keep the pressure evenly distributed.

Step 4
The final coat is a finishing coat. Start by scraping a wide taping knife over the joints to ensure that all ridges and bumps are removed. If desired, you can thin out the compound for this last stage.

Drywall Mudding Tip 3: Have a Little Patience

When mudding drywall, the key is patience and consistency. Mudding makes all the difference to the appearance of your finished walls. Make sure you leave the proper amount of drying time between coats. Also, take the time to check for bumps and ridges between coats and then sand the room after your final coat to smooth out any remaining little ridges.

For more tips on drywall mudding just click here.

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