Hyde Job Guides

How to Tape and Finish Drywall Joints

Turn hung drywall into a paintable wall with three coats: tape, fill, skim. Each coat is wider and thinner than the last and must be dry before the next.

What you need

• all-purpose joint compound (setting-type for pre-fills and mesh)
• paper joint tape
• 150 to 220 grit sanding screens
• drywall primer

Steps

1. Drive proud screws below flush. Pre-fill gaps wider than 1/4" between sheets with setting compound and let it harden.
2. Thin all-purpose compound to thick-yogurt consistency for the tape coat. Keep the pan rim scraped.
3. Bed a layer of compound about 1/8" thick on the joint with a 6" knife, press paper tape in, and wipe from center to each end.
4. Leave about 1/16" of compound under the tape. Fold tape for inside corners and coat one side per coat. Spot screws.
5. Shave nibs off the dry tape coat. Fill with an 8 to 10" knife, feathering a few inches past the tape coat.
6. Skim with a 12" knife. Finish tapered joints 12 to 14" wide and butt joints 20 to 24" wide.
7. Sand with 150 to 220 grit on a pole sander, long light strokes. Stop when paper fibers rise.
8. Check under a low work lamp, touch up, then prime the whole wall with drywall primer.

Tips

• Use paper tape on every inside corner and flat joint. Use mesh only with setting-type compound.
• Never tape onto a dry joint. Starved tape bubbles and peels when the next coat wets it.
• Finish one side of a corner per coat so the knife does not gouge the wet face.
• Prime before paint. Unprimed compound and paper take paint at different rates and show as dull stripes.

Watch out

Questions about the right tool for your job? Email cs@hydestore.com or call 508-916-6442.