Joint compound gives wallboard a finished look.
The wallboard is hung. The room is taking shape. Before you paint your new walls the fasteners need to be covered and the seams need to be sealed. Mud, officially called joint compound, is used to turn the wallboard into a smooth finished wall. The most difficult part of applying mud to wallboard is waiting for it to dry. Once finished, the smooth surface will be ready for primer and paint.
Instructions
1. Prepare your wallboard by setting all fasteners just below the surface of wallboard. Run your hand over the fasteners to ensure that they don't protrude above the surface. Lay a dropcloth over the floor and over any unmovable items in the room.
2. Mix the mud thoroughly until smooth. Scoop a generous amount on a hock. With a 3-inch knife, spread a thin layer over the fasteners. Feather the compound out at the edges until it is barely there.
3. Use the 3-inch knife to spread a layer of compound across the seam where the wallboard joins together. Firmly press joint tape over the compound, covering the full length of the seam. Apply another layer of compound over the joint tape.
4. Allow 24 hours for the first layer of joint compound to dry. Once dry, sand the areas where the compound was applied, using a coarse sanding block. Sand with an even pressure, using a horizontal side-to-side motion, to prevent gouging and deep grooves.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using a 6-inch knife. Use a lighter layer of compound with this coat, feathering it out at the edges. The seams will require more compound and feathering than the fasteners with this coat. After the compound has dried for 24 hours, repeat the sanding process in step 4 using the coarse sanding block.
6. Use a 12-inch knife to apply a thin, final coat using the same method you used in previous steps. Spread the compound as smooth as possible to minimize the amount of final sanding required. Let dry for 24 hours.
7. Sand the areas using the fine sanding block, using your hand to feel for rises or imperfections that need to be smoothed. Sand all areas of the compound to avoid any glossy patches showing through the finished painted surface. Check for any areas that may need an additional coat of compound and reapply if necessary.
Related posts
Wallboard with joints taped and spackledTaping and spackling wallboard can be a frustrating job for beginners. Traditional paper tape must be applied smoothly with the right amount of spackle both...
Gypsum wallboard, commonly known as drywall, is typically used in residential walls and ceilings because of its low cost and ease of use. While drywall is easy to install, the joints between two s...
Choose a durable construction material when replacing bathroom walls.Wallboard in a bathroom comes in frequent contact with water and moisture. Many times, homeowners and bath contractors hung dry...
Wallboard panels contain compressed gypsum.Wallboard lies beneath the smooth interior walls in a new home. After the contractor frames the walls and runs the electrical wires and plumbing, he atta...
Careful wallboard preparation results in a better-looking, more durable job.You have two choices when preparing gypsum wallboard (also called drywall) for painting: You can do it the right way, or...
