Create durable corners with metal corner bead.
The art of drywall consists of a variety of techniques designed to protect the brittle gypsum plaster that makes up drywall, and to hide the joint work where sheets of drywall are abutted. Outside corners are especially sensitive as they protrude and are susceptible to being hit by things such as furniture being moved, passing vacuum cleaners and crashing kids' toys. Without protective metal corner beads, these outside drywall corners would crumble with every bump.
Instructions
1. Measure the height of the wall. Cut a length of metal corner bead to match using metal snips.
2. Place the corner bead on the corner. Secure it to the corner by screwing through the drywall into the studs with drywall screws. Drive the screws through the pre-drilled holes on the opposing flanges of the corner bead. Place screws every 6 inches down each flange. Press down on the corner bead while screwing to ensure that its grip on the corner is flush.
3. Apply 4 or 5-inch swaths of undiluted joint compound on each side of the corner, using a 10-inch taping knife and covering up the metal corner bead. Allow the joint compound to set up then fill in any cavities with extra joint compound. Leave the joint compound to dry overnight.
4. Run an angled blade of the taping knife up the corner to knock down any joint compound bumps.
5. Coat the dried joint compound with a second layer, using a putty knife. Extend the new layer 1 to 2 inches past the edge of the dried joint compound. Once the corner is covered, smooth down the wet joint compound with the 10-inch taping knife. Wet the blade of the knife so it will easily glide across the surface. Allow the joint compound to set up then fill in any cavities. Leave the joint compound to dry for at least 24 hours.
6. Knock down any more bumps with the taping knife then apply a third coat of joint compound, extending the outer edge another 1 to 2 inches. Allow the joint compound dry, knock down any bumps and apply a final coat of joint compound. Extend the final coat 1 to 1 1/2 inches past the last coat.
7. Patch any problem areas after the final coat dries with thinned joint compound. Sand the mudded corner smooth with 100-grit sandpaper after the patched areas dry then vacuum and wipe away all sanding dust.
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