In this articles we will go over great step by step Drywall Finishing tips to get the job done. We will also tell you how to avoid the most commonly made mistakes! Let's get to it.

Alright so all the drywall is already installed and now it's time for the finishing to get ready for paint or wall paper. If your not to this point see our installation article and come back to finish it off: Drywall Tips for the House

Drywall Finishing Tips #1 : Make sure it's all ready.

Go around the room with the newly hung drywall and make sure that all panels are tight and secure against the wall studs and ceiling joists. The nails or screws need to be sunk just enough so that they don't tear the paper. You don't want the ceiling falling down at the dinner table!

Drywall Finishing Tips #2 : What do you need?

A Ladder Taping Knife Spreader. Paper Drywall Tape. Joint Compound. Bread Pan. Corner Taping Tool. Application Knife.

Drywall Finishing Tips #3 : Mix and Place the Mud

You can buy pre-mixed mud or powder that you have to mix yourself. Either is acceptable. If you buy the powder make sure to read the directions. If you buy the pre-mixed mud you may have to loosen it up. Just add a little water and make it consistent. For both types try to avoid lumps and getting too much air in the mixture. Mix is slowly.

You want to strive for consistency that resembles cake icing. You don't want it too stiff or too loose. A good guide is to to put a some on the trough and hold it upside down. If it doesn't fall or drip off you are good but it's has to be easily spreadable too.

Place the mud onto the joint at a width that is slightly larger than the tape. You want to make sure all surface that the tape will be placed over has a mud film.

Drywall Finishing Tips #4 : Placing the tape and reapplying the mud.

What order? Do the flat seams first running the tape within 1/2 to 1 inch of the corners then do the corners.

Before application quickly run the tape through a bucket of water to wet the entire piece. This will make it easier to apply. Also run your Taping Knife Spreader through the water before smoothing. The knife should be 4 1/2 or 5 inches wide. Center and Place the tape on the mud covering the joint.

Starting at the top draw your knife down tightly against the tape. When placing the mud and taping do it at 4 - 5 foot intervals because the mud starts to dry quickly. After finishing the 4 - 5 foot length start again by placing more mud and tape and running the knife tighlty down onto it. The mud should squirt out the sides of the tape as your run the knife down.

Immediately after finishing a joint you can apply the second coat of mud over the tape. For corners only apply the second coat on one side. The following day after the tape and mud is dry do the other side. You don't want to do all sides at once for the corners.

The goal here is to have the tape secure to the mud with no bumps or pockets of mud underneath causing an uneven surface.

After you are done taping and second coating let it dry for 4-16 hours. When you go back the next day to apply the 3rd coat and fill any depressions or washboard surfaces you need to first get rid of excess mud. With your knife dry level out anything sticking out. Keep scraping till the bumps and ridges are gone. Just try to get the surface level without sanding.

Time for the 3rd coat! Using your knife and mud apply at a width that more than covers the area from the previous 2 coats and fill in any depressions that are remaining.

Not done with the mud yet! To do a really good job it is best to do yet another coat. You don't want any joint to be visible from shrinkage.

Drywall Finishing Tips #5 : Sand it up! Now it's time to lightly sand where needed to get the smooth surface. Use a sanding block and 220 grit paper to get the job done. Vacuum or dust the surface when done and fill in any last remaining imperfections.

Drywall Finishing Tips #6 : Primer, paint, and your done!

After your finished your final coat it's time to coat your newly installed and finished drywall with a good primer. When buying a primer make sure you read the manufacturers directions because some primers need to be coated with paint within 2 days of application. Also use latex primer.

Apply the primer just as you would paint. After it drys it becomes a bright white so don't be worried when it does! Don't work the primer too much.

After the primer drys it's time to paint the walls. Make sure you read the manufacturers directions for the primer to allow it to dry properly.

Apply your chosen new wall color and paint away using latex paint.

Now look at that awesome job! You did it all yourself. The hard work payed off.

Drywall Finishing Tips #7 : Avoid the common mistakes.

Keep these Do's and Don't below handy as your going through the process because they are the most common mistakes when installing drywall and can lead to repairs later.

Do not contaminate the compound with debri and/or dryed compound chips.

Make sure to sand the final coat of compound to a very smooth finish.

Cover the tape with compound completely.

Don't sand the drywall paper just the mud imperfections.

And that's it! With these Drywall Finishing Tips you are sure to do a better job. Enjoy your new room!

Be sure to check out our other popular related articles:

Drywall Tips for the House

Drywall Tips to Repair Holes and Imperfections

House Buying Tips

Wood Buring Stove Tips for the House

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