Secrets to a clean finish with your Drywall

Drywall installation is also known as a process that is "quick, inexpensive, and easy." Compared to concrete construction, drywall is lightweight and straightforward to use as non-load-bearing interior walls. For drywall to look good, drywall requires a finishing process before painting. Professional drywall finish means that walls are flat and smooth and without a hint of a seam or a joint. If a patching job is not correct, the drywall's imperfections can be difficult to cover up with paint and stand out even after the painting job.

When it comes to small holes, dings, and dents, many think it's relatively easy to cover spackling and decide to take this on by themselves. It looks so simple on DIY television shows, but in reality, they fail to realize that the real challenge is to smooth the surface or match the texture, so the patch job doesn't show up. Achieving an ultra-smooth consistency requires skill and knowledge.

With the use of the pros' secrets and with just a little practice, your walls can be flat and flawless. Let's take a look at some secrets for finishing drywall.

1. Drywall Installation

When finishing drywall, it usually entails applying the compound, taping, and sanding. However, useful drywall-hanging techniques will help make the task easier. If possible, always hang the most massive drywall sheets you can find and butt the layers tightly together to minimize joints. Ceiling panels should be fastened first before the wall panels.

2. Power Drill Put to Use

Before you begin taping, it is noteworthy to remember that drywall mud should be smooth and free from lumps. There is also the problem of mixing powdered compounds and water by hand. It can be time-consuming and might not be as effective in taking out all the powder lumps if not stirred enough. A technique that you can follow is using a mixing bit attached to a heavy-duty ½-inch power drill in blending the compound. It is better to mix until the mixture reaches peanut butter consistency.

3. Compound Secrets

The joint compound can either be in a dry or premixed form. For a smooth consistency, mix both types with water. Instead of using the premixed type right out of the bucket, you will get a more seamless finish and better-filled joints if you add just enough water to achieve the consistency of thick whipped cream.

4. Mudding Secrets

Mudding is a process of filling the seams between the panels using a joint compound. The first step is by using a 4-inch taping knife to spread the mixture into the seams and then apply a layer of drywall tape while the compound is still wet. For sutures that are wider than ⅛ inch, do not put tape on the first layer of compound and instead, fill the seam by using a 10-inch taping knife to smooth away the excess mud. Once dried up, sand the seam thoroughly with a drywall-sanding pad, and then you can now apply the mud.

5. Less is More

When applying the compound, it is better to use less than slopping on a large amount of compound and then try to wipe most of it off. It tends to spread too far, which leaves the center of the joint too thick, resulting in an unsightly seam or bulge in the wall. Apply three or more feather-thin coats of the compound for better results.

6. Right Tape Secrets

This secret may be simple, but choosing the right tape and correctly using it will make a massive difference in a finished wall. The industry standard is paper tape, and the trick is to put it over a wet layer of the compound at least 3 inches wide. Press the tape in place and using your taping knife, start at the center, and lightly smooth to each end to smoothen the tape. You can also use self-adhesive mesh tape applied to the seams before smoothing the compound and squishing it through the joints' mesh. Never overlap the tape, it will produce visible bumps in the wall.

7. Secrets in Using Taping Knife

When applying the compound to the nail holes and joints, it is highly-recommended to use a small taping knife in a 4- or 5- inch size. However, when it comes to feather out the edges, you might have to switch to a larger 10- or 12- inch taping knife. Before you use a larger knife, you must first hold the blade to your eye-- at a right angle-- and look down its edge. It is because many taping knives have a slight bow or belly. When smoothing out the wet compound, please keep in mind that you have to position the knife's belly side against the wall.

8 Other Helpful Secrets

Only mix a small amount of compound at one time. Before mixing a new batch, wash your bucket and tools thoroughly. The purpose of this is to avoid a large amount of mud from setting up on your bucket and tools before using them. If you don't clean your tools periodically, it can result in hardened compound bits that can get into the wet compound and leave scratches on the wall. Additionally, it is advisable to complete an entire seam before you decide to take a short break. If you must pull off from the job for a few minutes, we advise you to wait better and let the seam dry up. Once the same is dry, you can then sand it, and you can now resume taping.

The Takeaway

We all know that professional drywall taping crews only make the job look natural since they know how to move quickly. They also know how to correctly and adequately slather compound in all joints and nail holes to leave the walls with an ultra-smooth look. However, it would be beneficial for you to remember that it takes lots of practice to get professional drywall finishing results, and professionals sure have plenty, of course. Fortunately, with the right techniques, appropriate tools, and yes-- patience-- a flawless finish is impossible.

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