Drywall tape reinforces wet joint compound.
Once the wallboard panels are in place, the job's halfway done. The next step is the application of drywall compound, or "mud," which will fill the seams and make your wall look like one smooth unit, instead of individual panels. During the mud application process, you can use either fiberglass mesh tape or paper tape to reinforce the mud and provide a smooth surface. Choosing the right materials and using them correctly will give you the best results.
Paper Tape
The pros use paper tape because it provides the thinnest surface, and it's quick to install once you get the hang of it. Unfortunately, if you're not a professional, paper tape may slip, slide and bunch up while you're trying to attach it to the seams.
To allow for movement, cut your paper tape a couple of inches shorter than the seam you're taping and press it on top of the wet joint compound with your fingers. After the tape is in place, use the flat edge of a taping trowel, starting at the middle of the paper and smoothing toward each edge. Smooth out all air bubbles beneath the paper. Once the paper tape is secure, let the seam dry completely before adding more compound over the tape.
Fiberglass Mesh Tape
Fiberglass mesh tape is more user-friendly than paper tape. Instead of positioning the tape over slippery wet mud, cut and stick this self-adhesive tape directly over the bare drywall seams. Once the tape is in place, you'll apply the drywall compound, pushing it through the holes in the mesh tape and into the seams beneath.
Mud
Drywall compound comes in premixed buckets or in powder form that you can mix with water. If you're mixing your own mud, use a power drill with a paddle attachment to blend away lumps. The smoother the mud, the smoother the seams.
If you're using paper tape, you can add a little water to make the mud thinner, which will make it easier for the paper tape to stick to the mud. Once you start taping, work quickly to apply and smooth the mud. On a dry, hot day, the mud can begin to cure within minutes. Once the mud hardens, you can no longer work it, but you may let it dry and sand away any rough areas.
Application Tips
Tape out vertical seams first and horizontal seams next. Apply full lengths of tape to vertical joints, but cut the tape when you're working on horizontal joints to avoid overlapping the vertical seams.
Multiple very thin coats of mud are better than one thick coat, because the mud shrinks slightly as it dries. A thick application can dimple and look lumpy. Use a small, 6-inch taping trowel for the initial application of mud, and switch to 10-inch trowel to feather out the wet compound over a wider area.
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