Drywall finishing tips to save you time and money

The process of finishing a drywall job can be extremely frustrating, with slow drying, crushed edges, and several other factors interrupting the job and forcing you to double back and fix errors. In a perfect world, you’d get the finishing job done properly on your first try and would be able to avoid going back to address any such issues. This takes time, but it’s better to work slowly and effectively through the project to get it done right. Here are some drywall finishing tips to utilize throughout every phase of the process to ensure you achieve a quicker and better end product.

Tips for pre-taping

The most important factor in a good drywall finish is proper drywall hanging. If the drywall is hung poorly, the finishing job will be doomed from the start. While hanging takes a bit of muscle, finishing is more of a finesse activity.

Check for under-driven screws

Before taping, you should check to see if there are any under-driven screws or nails in the drywall by sliding a drywall knife across your fasteners. If you hear a metallic clicking sound, this means there are screws or nails that need to be driven in further. This occurs most often along drywall corners.

Proper driving

Make sure nails and screws are driven slightly below the drywall face, such that there are shallow dimples around each one. Be careful during this process so as to not break through the paper or crush the drywall while hammering.

Trim loose paper

Before taping, you should also trim away any loose or torn paper in the drywall, as this can cause bubbles later on or break off and get stuck in your compound once applied. Spray a primer on torn areas to seal in chemicals that may stain the finishing coat once that step takes place.

Use a setting compound to reduce drying times

Unlike regular drywall compound, setting compound hardens quickly and won’t shrink as it dries. This should be applied to all areas that need a deep fill. Once it hardens, you’re ready to begin taping. Apply a coat of regular compound and shave off any lumps with your taping knife once it hardens a bit. There are sander-friendly versions of setting compound available from most hardware stores – this is what we recommend using in your finishing jobs. Once you’re done applying compound, be sure to discard the leftover mud into a bucket – not into the sink where it can harden and clog the drain.

Make sure your compound is thoroughly mixed

Your drywall compound should be mixed such that it can flow easily off your knife. Stir it until it is smooth and add water if necessary to further thin it. Apply the first coat of mud and tape to cover the joints, followed by two more coats to smooth them. To cover the rows of screws and nails, scrape your knife against the paper to get rid of as much of the mud as possible. Using a light, smoothly mixed coating during this step reduces mud buildup and makes sanding a much neater process later on. Using joint compound sparingly also reduces the need to remove excess mud after every scrape.

Start your next finishing job at Al’s

Al’s Taping Tools has been providing contractors with the highest quality and most extensive selection of tools, parts, and accessories in the industry since 1985. Our experts are here to help you find easy ways to save time and money on your next project. Shop our products today to give yourself an advantage on any job site.