Large people can play with mud too Three basic things to know when crushing drywall

After installing and fixing your drywall, you must proceed to the wrapping and compounding stage. This is an important step as the final appearance of your walls will be really determined by the quality of the application of the mud or compound on your drywall.

Here are three of the most basic things you need to know about Mudding Drywall.

1. Know your compounds and tools

Preparation is the key to everything, especially in  home improvement   projects. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the products and techniques before starting a project will save you time and allow you to get a better finished project.

The jointing compound is in powder form and premixed. There are also different textures. The taping compound is coarse and should be used for the initial taping layer. The surfacing compound is much thinner and smoother than the tape compound and should be used for surface finishing. There is also an all-purpose joint compound on the market, which is midway between the tape and the packing compound in terms of texture and thickness.

To apply mud, you should use ribbon knives. These tools exist in different lengths and you should use a slightly longer length than the previous one for each new layer.

At this point, you also want to make sure all your nails and screws are well embedded and that none of them sticks out. You check this by placing a band knife on the edges and seams. If you feel or hear something against the metal, then you have to go back and push the nail in or screw it into the gypsum again.

2. Follow the appropriate steps

Drywall Mudding is a four-step, four-day process. You must ensure that you leave at least twenty-four hours of drying time between each compound application.

You start with a layer of tape. At this point, you apply the compound then insert paper tape into the joints, then smooth with more compound. You must also cover all nails and screws with a compound (making sure, beforehand, of course, that they are well embedded). Once the tape layer is complete, all of your surfaces must be filled and everything must be leveled.

The next step is to apply two layers of compound that will smooth your surfaces. With each application, you will want to use a banding knife that is one to two inches longer than the previous one. For the second and third layers, you will want to use a band knife that measures between seven inches and a foot long.

You want to try to apply the compound on the joint, then straighten it by stroking each side, then a last line in the center.

It can be difficult to apply this compound. You will need to apply mud in different thicknesses and with different pressure in different places. When performing side strokes, you want to apply more pressure to the outside of the knife, while when running centrally, you want the pressure to be distributed evenly. It will take a little practice and a lot of patience.

The final layer is a topcoat. This is where you will have to be the most difficult to ensure a smooth finished product. Start by scraping a broadband knife over the joints to make sure all ridges and bumps are removed.

You can lighten the compound for this last step. Some people do it and some do not - it's a matter of personal preference.

3. have a little patience

When crushing drywall, the key is patience and consistency. Although you may want to go through this step, then go to the primer and paint, this step is crucial and will make all the difference in terms of appearance of your finished walls. You need to make sure that you leave the proper amount of drying time between the layers. You also want to take the time to check the bumps and ridges between layers and then sand the room after your last coat. This sanding will smooth any remaining small edges. This can be a complex process, so be sure to place plastic to seal the room and wear protective equipment to eliminate the risk of eye and respiratory irritation.