A few months back, a few guys suggested a technique of adding a little dish soap (Joy, etc.) to mud to aid in application and eliminate some the the “peeling” that inevitable occurs.
Center the tape over the area and then place it on the drywall compound. Once that is done, hold the top edge of the tape and pull the drywall knife down the tape. Press evenly, making sure to embed the tape into the compound, removing any air bubbles.
The length of time it takes for mud to dry decreases when air is moving around the room rather than staying still. If it is not overly humid outside, open up the windows to circulate the air. However, if it is humid, avoid letting that humidity in, as it can actually slow the drying time.
Dish detergent makes the mud go on really smooth - it acts a s a surfactant. This trick is usually employed by folks who will NOT be painting the finished walls as sometimes the addition of dish detergent causes paint adhesion problems.
Pre-mixed or “wet” mud is ready to use and requires adding water to thin the mud to the right consistency to apply to the drywall. All-purpose mud is commonly used as a first coat because the bonding agents in the mud cause the drywall tape to hold better.
We believe that the blisters are formed with air that escapes from tiny fissures or cracks in the skim coated wall below the layers of applied paint. Under low humidity drying conditions, drywall mud and skim coat will shrink to such an extent that tiny cracks will form on the surface.
Any drywall joint can also crack if the mud is applied too thick or too quickly. To prevent cracking, don't use more mud than you need for any of the coats, and let each coat dry completely before adding the next.
Cracking often occurs when the mud on the surface dries faster than the mud underneath.
Drywall mud, also called joint compound, is a gypsum-based paste used to finish drywall joints and corners in new drywall installations.
The Green Top, as it is frequently referred to, is a heavier, wetter compound. It doesn't dry as quickly but sticks to the wall better. The blue top is a dryer, lighter, easier sanding, and faster drying compound than the Green Top.
Sanding Drywall with a Sponge
Most can accommodate wet or dry sanding and are great for getting into tight corners and ceilings. When using a sponge, a wet sanding method is often most effective. This method softens the compound, or mud, and dampens the dust formed from sanding to keep it under control.
Sheetrock® Brand Easy Sand™ 45 Joint Compound can be used for a variety of applications including: filling, smoothing and finishing interior concrete ceilings and above-grade concrete, taping and finishing panels in bathroom areas and finishing joints in protected exterior soffits.
The drying time for drywall mud varies depending on the type used, application thickness, humidity, and temperature. However, in general, a thin, single coat of drywall mud should be allowed to dry overnight, or at least 12 hours, before sanding, adding another coat, and/or painting.
Mix water and dish soap
Now that the dust is wiped away, it's time to wash walls. Fill one bucket with a gallon of warm water and mix clear liquid hand or dish soap and water in the other. Soak a cloth in the solution, and wring it out well.
Let dry for 24-hours. Apply a second coat with the 7" knife, allowing knife to rest on nose of the bead. Let dry for 24-hours and apply a third coat.
Ideally, all joint compounds should be used at a temperature of 55 °F or higher, otherwise drying times are lengthened and bonding capabilities are reduced. Job delays, joint cracking, and delamination are just a few of the side effects of finishing joint compound in cold conditions.
If your wall has distinct crevices, cracks, or textured areas, or if your brand of drywall mud isn't offering enough coverage, you may have to do a couple of additional coats of compound. However, in general, you'll need one coat to fill in the seams and three more coats after taping.
One way to prevent drywall mud from cracking is by applying the mud in thinner coats. Moreover, properly following the instructions for each type of drywall mud will also help to prevent cracks.
Level 5. At a Level 5 finish, the drywall has a smooth, uniform surface that looks great under any intense lighting, harsh shadows or high-gloss paint, and your fasteners have essentially no chance of showing through the paint. It's the ultimate in drywall finishing.