How to Finish Drywall
By , This Old House magazine
Photo: Allen Penn
•Cut band on top of the bucket with a utility knife or tin snips and pry off lid.
•If there’s water on top of the compound, chuck a mixing paddle into a 1⁄2-inch drill. Mix at slow speed until water is blended and compound is smooth. If there’s no water, the compound is ready to use.
•Look for any screwheads poking above the drywall surface and drive them until slightly recessed.
•Tear away any loose or torn paper from drywall (especially at corners and cut edges) to prevent bits from ending up
in the compound.
Steps
- Introduction
- Overview
- 1. Stir compound and prep surfaces
- 2. Cover joints and screwheads
- 3. Apply paper tape
- 4. Smooth tape
- 5. Tape Inside Corners
- 6. Cover outside corners
- 7. Sand the first coat
- 8. Apply second and third coats
- Helpful Info:
- Step By Step: How to Hang Drywall
- Ask This Old House: Fixing Damaged Drywall Surface
- Step By Step: How to Hang Wallpaper
- Video: How to Hang Drywall on a Ceiling
- Step By Step: How to Hang Drywall
- Ask This Old House: How to Fix Screw Pops in Drywall
- Mess-free Sanding of Drywall Joint Compound
- Article: Drywall Do-It-All
- Ask This Old House: Applying Plaster to Drywall