Should I fill gaps before taping?

Just fill ’em up before you get to work taping! Because the compound used to fill them has a tendency to shrink, it may cause the paper tape (and the entire initial coat) to warp if you fill the gaps at the same time as you apply your initial tape coating.

Can you tape with setting compound?





Research shows that paper joint tape is ideal with both drying- and setting-type compounds, as it reinforces the joint compound in compression, bending and shear, and will prevent visible cracking.

Do you tape or mud drywall first?

Paper tape comes with a crease down the center that allows you to bend it along the crease to form sharp wall corners. It takes practice, however, to correctly bed paper tape in the first coating of wet mud without creating bubbles underneath.

What order should you tape drywall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You're going to want to start with the vertical corner closest to the door compliment. In the illustration. It's labeled number one and then work your way around the room by doing the sealing corner

Can you use all purpose joint compound with mesh tape?

The mesh tape is bedded-in with a thin layer of quick-setting drywall mud and then feathered out with all purpose or lightweight all purpose drywall compounds. Most manufacturers recommend using quick-setting compound with mesh tape rather than all purpose pre-mixed mud.

How big of a gap can you fill with joint compound?





Setting-type compound (the bagged kind you mix vs. the drying-type you buy premixed in a bucket) will easily fill a 1/2″ gap without cracking. Make sure you load up the gap well before applying your tape, then finish it as you would any other joint.

What is the fastest way to set joint compound?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Then he sprinkled some compound onto the water. This is way easier than starting with powder and pouring water onto it because the two will resist mixing that way and powder will just get everywhere.

Do you have to tape drywall seams?

All drywall seams need to have tape embedded in joint compound. The tape strengthens the joint, and the joint compound, or mud, is the adhesive that holds the tape in place.

Can I use 45 minute mud for taping?

For deep filling, 20- or 45-minute compounds are a good choice. For embedding mesh tape, choose 90 minutes or longer. You can mix small batches with a putty knife, but for larger amounts, a powerful drill with a mixer is best.

Do you sand between coats of drywall mud?



In most cases, you should sand between coats of mud. Check the guidelines for your mud, but you will usually need to leave it at least 24 hours to set. Use joint compound sandpaper. After the first and second coat, just remove any bumps or lumps of mud.

Do you tape before corner bead?

Most tapers place the metal corner bead first. This is primarily because if you were to do any taping first you’d have to wait until that dries to install corner bead. It’s a matter of efficiency. It’s also usually best to keep metal bead set snugly to the drywall, with nothing behind it.

Do you tape vertical drywall joints?

We apply the tape in a straight line to ensure that the seams are totally covered. First we cover the vertical seams, then the horizontal seams, and finally the corners. It is important here to avoid overlapping the tape. Instead, we always make sure to cut the tape where one layer would overlap another layer.

What happens if you don’t use drywall tape?



If you don’t use drywall tape, the joints will be exposed and can easily be seen. Also, since it’s no longer a uniform surface, which tape provides. The purpose of mudding will be defeated as the mudding will not be enough to cover the entire gap created at the joint.

How do you fill the gap between drywall and ceiling?

How to fill a gap between drywall and ceiling

  1. Step 1: Mesh drywall tape. Start by placing a strip of fiberglass mesh drywall tape over the gap so that the top edge of the tape is flush against the ceiling.
  2. Step 2: Apply joint compound. …
  3. Step 3: Paper tape. …
  4. Step 4: More mud. …
  5. Step 5: Let the mud dry. …
  6. Step 6: Sand. …
  7. Step 7: Paint.


How do you apply drywall mud smoothly?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The drywall is like very porous. And it's got the paper which is very porous that has somewhere for the moisture in the mud to go so it goes into the board and you can with just a few wipes get a

How many coats of joint compound do I need?



Apply a heavy coat of spackle over the tape, filling the depression between the drywall. Long joints will commonly require three coats. The first coat is the heaviest and uses the most spackle. The second coat, applied after the first has dried completely, levels the joint.

What is drywall topping compound used for?

Topping compound is formulated for the second and third coats over wallboard joints, corner trims and fastener heads. It provides smooth sanding and workability with minimal shrinkage. Finishing should not be used for embedding tape or as the first coat over drywall trims.

Do you water down drywall mud?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Here and I'll work it down into the mud. Work the water down in. And after a while mixing. It's a little cottage cheese consistency like this.

Do you add water to premixed joint compound?

Do I need to add water when mixing Sheetrock® Brand UltraLightweight All Purpose Joint Compound? No, Sheetrock® Brand UltraLightweight All Purpose Joint Compound is formulated as a ready-to-use product. Simply mix and use. If adding water, use sparingly and test apply.

Should you thin down joint compound?



For hand-applied texturing, the mud should be thin enough to spread evenly, but thick enough that it doesn’t drip off the knife or down the wall. A consistency similar to a thick, non-runny pudding works well for most texturing.