Before you can jump into the final step of painting and dolling up your walls, there’s one more step you have to do to achieve flawless walls – finishing your drywall. Here, your sole goal is to make the drywall as smooth as possible with the joints being invisible to the eye. This step involves filling screw or nail holes with drywall compound and applying paper or fiberglass tapes over the joints of the installed drywall. These processes called mudding and tapping are simple enough but they require finesse and can often be frustrating as it does consume some time. That’s why it is vital for you to understand how the whole process works before you start the job. Here are the steps to finish your drywall like a pro:
Step 1: Prep Surfaces
The first step to achieve that smooth surface is to make sure that all nails and screws are driven slightly below the drywall face. You can do that by taking a hammer or a screwdriver and setting the nail or screw in until there’s a shallow recess. Take care not to let the nailhead break through the paper surface of the drywall though. Then, neatly tear or cut away torn or loose paper especially at the corners and edges. To make sure that there’s nothing else protruding on the drywall surface, drag your taping knife over the surface to detect any bumps.
Step 2: Cover and Tape Joints
Starting from one corner, force compound in the joints between the sheets using a 5-inch knife. Once they’re filled, smoothen them out with the knife in one single pass. Repeat this step with the screw holes in the wall then you can proceed to apply tape.
Here, you can choose between using paper tape or fiberglass tape. According to The Spruce, experts prefer using the paper tape because, with it, the joints are less likely to crack and show. However, fiberglass tapes are easier to use because of their self-adhesive quality. When taping, position the tape over the center of the seam then gently press it unto the fresh compound. Work portion by portion with the tape and only cut it at the very end of the joint. Afterward, using your knife, start smoothing the tape from the center of the joint. Pull your knife to one side in one stroke then go back to the center starting point and pull to the other side to prevent the tape from being dragged off the wall.
Step 3: Tape the Inside Corners
With outside corners already covered with metal beads, applying tape isn’t necessary. Simply make sure that these are properly nailed and clinched and straighten bends if there are any. Afterward, apply compound on each side of the corner and smooth it out in one single stroke with your knife. Then, let it dry overnight.
Step 4: Tape the Outside Corners
Step 5: Apply and Sand Fill Coats
When the compound has turned uniformly white, you can start sanding it out. Make sure to only apply even and gentle pressure to avoid sanding down to the tapes. Don’t also try to sand down any craters and indentations if there are any because this will inevitably be filled out by the next layers of compound.
For the next layer of compound, use a 10 or 12-inch knife to apply the compound and lightly feather at the edges. Let it dry overnight once more and lightly sand again the next day. Feel for rough patches and sand them out.
Step 6: Apply Final Coat
When applying the final coat, use the widest drywall knife trowel you have and only apply a very light layer of compound. Finely smooth it out and feather the edges. After it dries, sand it once more taking care to be very gentle. If the finish still isn’t as smooth as you’d like it to be, don’t be afraid to apply one more light layer of compound and sand it out for the last time. Once this is all done, you can wipe down all surfaces to clean them of dust and start priming your walls and ceilings.