Battle River Interiors LTD.
Taping & FinishingFinishing drywall is the process of applying paper or mesh tape over the joints between pieces of installed drywall, then covering the taped seams and filling the screw or nail holes with drywall compound. The process is often known in the trades as "taping and mudding." Along the way, the taping and mudding process is accompanied by sanding the dried compound (mud) to smooth the edges. When the process is done correctly, the wall surface will be perfectly smooth, and the joints will be invisible to the naked eye, and the finished gypsum surface is ready for paint or a textured finish.
But taping and mudding can be a frustrating job, so it's important to make sure you understand the process well. Here are the steps to a perfect drywall finish: Prepare the surface, make sure that all nail or screw heads are driven down below the paper surface of the wallboard. Ideally, the paper surface of the drywall should not be broken (if so, it lessens the holding power of the fastener), but should be recessed just slightly below the surface of the drywall panel. Drag a taping knife over the surface to detect fasteners that might not be fully recessed, and if you find any, tighten up any protruding fasteners. If there any spots with torn paper on the drywall cut them off with a razor or other sharp tool. These will be obstructions to smooth taping and mudding. Choose Your Tape and Mud. Tape is available in two major types: paper and fiberglass mesh As a general rule use paper tape for inside corners, but either will work for flat surfaces. For corners, there are also corner bead products available, which have paper flanges attached to a metal bead. There are inside corner beads that are mudded into inside corner joints, and also outside corner beads that are applied to outside corners, such as the corners on archways. Joint compound is available in pre mixed and also powder, just add water and mix. The premixed all-purpose compound is the best choice for most jobs, though pros may opt for different formulations for different applications.
Tips & TricksWhether using powdered sheetrock compound or a premixed product, give the mud a thorough stirring before using it with a mixing drill, thin down the mud with water to the desired thickness.
Apply the First Mud Coat : The fiberglass-mesh tape is self-adhesive and can be applied directly to the drywall seams. Paper tape must be embedded in a layer of compound. That makes the taping process a little quicker for the first stage when using fiberglass tape, but the time savings overall is not significant. When using paper tape, first scoop some mud into a compound tray. With a 6-inch taping knife, apply a smooth, thin layer over the joint. Immediately press the tape into the mud, centered over the joint. Hold the tape in place with one hand while pulling the taping knife over the tape (work from the middle of the joint toward the ends). Apply just enough pressure to squeeze a little compound out from under the tape. Immediately apply another thin layer of compound to cover the tape and fill the joint. There should be a very thin layer of compound over the tape at this point, but you will still clearly see the tape through the mud. The edges of drywall sheets are slightly recessed as they are manufactured, allowing the paper tape to lay just slightly below the outer surface as it is applied. It will be subsequent layers of mud applied with a wide wallboard knife that raises out the joints to be perfectly flush with the surrounding panel areas. With fiberglass-mesh tape, apply a layer of compound thick enough to fill and cover the mesh surface, but again you will still be able to see the fiberglass fibers at this point. Smooth the surface and feather the edges as best as you can. Repeat these steps on each joint. Once you’ve taped the joints on the flat surfaces, start finishing the inside corners. With the joints, all taped, apply a small amount of compound over each nail or screw head and smooth the surface. Let the compound dry overnight, or longer if necessary. Clean the tools and put the lid back on the mud bucket. Apply the Fill CoatLightly sand the dried compound to remove ridges and bumps. (Wear a dust mask while sanding.) Some craftsman will use a wallboard knife to knock down raised areas of the dried compound before sanding. Use a 10- or 12-inch knife to spread another layer of compound over the joints, feathering the edges. Once dry, give the surface another light sanding. With this application from a wide knife, the joint areas will now be raised up nearly flush with the faces of the wallboard panels, and the tape should now be hidden under the compound. Apply the Finish Coat If you’ve taken care applying and sanding the first coats, the finish coat should require only a very light application to create a smooth surface. Use the widest knife or a hand trowel to apply this coat. Some pros add a little water to the mud before the final coat (but never more than the equivalent of one pint of water to a five-gallon bucket). If you do this, make sure to mix the water in thoroughly. Let the compound dry thoroughly. Sand the dried compound, but avoid the temptation to over-sand. If the finish doesn't quite meet the smoothness test, don’t be afraid to apply another thin layer. Always do finish sanding with 18 grit paper with the pole sander and then finish with a high powered hand held light, use it to shadow the walls and polish imperfections with a light finish sponge sander. Make sure not to leave any scratches or deficiency's.
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