How to Finish Drywall for DIYers

Taping and Mudding Drywall at Home

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Yield: 10-by-8-foot wall
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $50

The process of finishing drywall involves taping and mudding all the seams and screw holes produced when the drywall was installed. Taping over the seams between panels with paper or fiberglass tape and then finishing the seams and holes with drywall taping compound smooths the surface for primer and paint. In addition, the edges of drywall panels are intentionally slightly recessed to allow the taping and mudding process to create flush edges.

Learn the proper steps, tips, and tricks to finishing drywall for a smooth wall surface with invisible joints.

drywall and tools

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Types of Drywall Tape and Joint Compound

Drywall Tape

Drywall tape is available in two types: paper and fiberglass mesh. As a general rule, either paper or fiberglass tape will work for straight seams, but inside corners are best covered with paper tape. Pros may favor paper tape because it creates a joint that is less likely to crack and show through after painting. For corners, there are also corner bead products available, which have paper flanges attached to a metal bead. There are inside corner beads that are mudded into interior corners, as well as outside corner beads that are applied to outside corners.

Joint Compound

Joint compound is available in premixed and powdered forms. The premixed all-purpose compound is the best choice for most DIY jobs, though pros may opt for different formulations for different applications.

  • Taping compound is the mud used for the main application of tape to the seams and corners and for the second coat. It is designed to fill in the major gaps. 
  • Topping compound is used for the third finish layer of mud, a skim coat over the seams, and fastener holes. It is designed to create the final smooth coat, but it won't adhere the tape to the drywall panels in the same way that taping compound does.
  • All-purpose compound is a general-purpose mud that serves all purposes. For most DIYers, this is the only mud you really need. 
  • Lightweight compound is another all-purpose mud, designed to dry faster. Many pros avoid lightweight compound, believing it has inferior adhesion when compared to the other types. 

Whether using powdered drywall compound or a premixed product, give the mud a thorough stirring before using it. 

Warning

It is important to wear a dust mask and eye protection while sanding. The sanding dust is not toxic but it can irritate your lungs and eyes.

How to Finish Drywall

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Mud mixer drill attachment
  • Drywall taping knives (6, 10, and 12-inch)
  • Corner drywall taping knife (optional)
  • Taping compound tray
  • Screwgun or hammer (as needed)
  • Razor
  • Dust mask
  • Eye protection
  • Drywall sanding block
  • Pole sander

Materials

  • All-purpose taping compound
  • Fiberglass or paper drywall tape
  • Drywall sandpaper
  • Dry cloths

Instructions

tools to finish drywall
The Spruce / Margot Cavin 
  1. Prepare the Surface & Compound

    • Detect protruding fasteners by dragging a drywall taping knife across the surface of the drywall. If necessary, tighten screws or drive nails until they are sitting properly below the paper surface of the drywall.
    • Remove any torn parts of the drywall's paper surface with a razor or other sharp tool to ensure a smoother finish. 
    • Stir the compound. If it has begun to try out, add a little bit of water.
    preparing the drywall surface
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin 
  2. Apply the First Mud Coat (Paper Tape)

    Follow this step if using paper tape. Paper tape must be embedded in a layer of compound.

    • Cut a length of paper tape to the exact length of the joint.
    • Scoop some mud into a compound tray.
    • Using a 6-inch drywall taping knife, apply a smooth, thin layer of mud over the joint.
    • Press the paper tape immediately into the mud, centering it over the joint.
    • Hold the tape in place with one hand while pulling the drywall taping knife over the tape (work from the middle of the joint toward the ends).
    • Apply just enough pressure to squeeze a little compound out from under the tape.
    • Apply another thin layer of compound immediately to cover the tape and fill the joint. There should be a very thin layer of compound over the tape at this point, but you will still clearly see the tape through the mud.
    applying the first mud coat
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin 
  3. Apply Tape Directly (If Using Fiberglass Tape)

    Follow this step if you are using fiberglass tape. Fiberglass-mesh tape is self-adhesive and can be applied directly to the drywall seams without first applying a layer of mud.

    • Cut a length of tape to the exact length of the joint.
    • Press it over the joint, making sure there are no bumps or ripples.
    • Use a 6-inch taping knife to apply a layer of compound thick enough to fill and cover the mesh surface. You should be able to see the fiberglass fibers at this point.
    • Smooth the surface and feather the edges as best as you can by pressing it down with a drywall taping knife.
    applying fiberglass tape
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  4. Finish Inside Corners

    After applying either paper or fiberglass tape, you will finish the inside corners where the walls meet.

    For paper tape or flexible corner bead:

    • Apply a thin layer of mud compound.
    • Apply a folded strip of paper tape or corner bead.
    • Cover the paper with a thin coat of mud.
    • Use a special corner drywall taping knife made for this purpose or use a standard 6-inch drywall taping knife to apply the compound.

    For fiberglass tape:

    • Fold a piece of fiberglass tape into a long angled strip.
    • Press it into the corner to adhere it to the walls. Some care is necessary with this tape to ensure crisp, sharp corners.

    Tip

    Use rigid prefabricated corner bead for smoother inside corners. Coat the corner with the taping compound, cut the corner bead to length with tin snips, press it into the corner coated with the taping compound, then cover it with another coat of compound.

    finishing inside corners
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  5. Finish Outside Corners and Screw/Nail Heads

    For outside corners that have already been covered with metal bead, applying tape is not necessary. Follow these steps:

    • Apply mud over each face of the corner, using a drywall taping knife. 
    • Apply a small amount of compound over each nail or screw head in all the taped and mudded joints, smoothing the surface as you go along.
    • Let the compound dry overnight, or longer if necessary.
    • Clean the tools and put the lid back on the bucket of mud.
    finishing corners
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  6. Sand and Apply the Fill Coat

    Sand with a hand sanding block; do not use a power sander on drywall. A special drywall sanding block can be mounted with fine-grit drywall sandpaper and it accepts a threaded pole for easier sanding.

    • Lightly sand the dried compound to remove any ridges and bumps. (Wear a dust mask and eye protection while sanding.)
    • Wipe down the wallboard after sanding with a clean cloth to remove sanding dust.
    • Use a 10 or 12-inch drywall taping knife to spread another layer of compound over the joints, feathering the edges. The joint areas will now be raised up nearly flush with the faces of the wallboard panels, and the tape should now be hidden under the compound.
    • Give the dried surface another light sanding. Take care not to expose the tape by over-sanding.

    Tip

    The drying time for taping compound varies, depending mostly on humidity levels. It's dry when the compound lightens to a uniform, white appearance. Heavy coats may require overnight drying, and lighter coats in arid weather conditions may dry in an hour or so.

    applying the fill coat
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin 
  7. Apply the Finish Coat

    The finish coat should require only a very light final application of mud to create a smooth surface. To apply this coat, use the widest drywall taping knife trowel, 12 inches wide or more.

    • Add a little water to the mud before the final coat but never more than the equivalent of 1 pint of water to a 5-gallon bucket of mud.
    • Mix the water thoroughly into the mud if you take this step.
    • Let the finish coat dry—it will likely take an hour or two.
    applying the finishing coat
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  8. Lightly Sand the Wall

    • Lightly sand the dried compound, avoiding the temptation to over-sand. If the finish doesn't quite meet the smoothness test, don’t be afraid to apply another thin layer of mud.
    • Wipe the surfaces clean of dust before painting or texturizing the wall or ceiling surfaces. 
    sanding dry wall
    ​The Spruce / Margot Cavin

When to Call a Professional

Installing and finishing drywall is labor and time-intensive. A professional drywall installer knows the best techniques for the job, from properly aligning and securing the panels to finishing them properly. According to the latest figures, drywall installation costs about $1.50 to $3 per square foot for materials and labor, depending on the scope of the project, including the level of finish you prefer to have done.

FAQ
  • Can you finish drywall without sanding?

    Yes, you can use the wet-sanding method with a wet sponge to avoid creating the mess of regular sanding. A wet sander is a textured sponge designed to smooth wallboard joints without dry sanding but it has its challenges. With wet sanders, it can be quite hard to get perfectly smooth seams without waves and without dissolving and removing too much of the dried mud. Though messy, dry sanding produces better results.

  • How many skim coats should I use on drywall?

    Do at least two skim coats to achieve a smooth drywall surface.

  • Do I need to mud the entire drywall?

    No. The mud is used to fill seams and other indentations in the drywall. It does not need to be applied over the entire surface.

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  1. How Much Does Drywall Cost in 2022? HomeAdvisor.