Using drywall tools for finishing Sheetrockusually takes some practice but you may get the hang of it sooner with some professional tips.
More experienced finishers may use trowels but we do not recommend this for beginners. It will be easier to learn to finish using mud pans and drywall knives.
Always start with clean pans and knives. Drywall mud pans are elongated plastic or metal pans that will hold the joint compound you are using. The plastic pans come with a metal blade along one or both sides of the long lip. This is used for wiping and cleaning your knife.
Usually, drywall finishing requires at least three different sized knives. We recommend having a 4" or 5" knife, an 8" knife and a 10" or 12" drywall knife.
Most beginners do not clean the knife often enough nor do they use enough pressure. Both sides of the knife blade should be swiped over the pan blade every few seconds of use, with enough force to actually sharpen the knife. This also keeps the mud on the knife from drying. Dried mud particles are responsible for most scratching in the finish. (It's also wise to mix the joint compound in the pan regularly).
Fill the pan to a level you are comfortable lifting. You will be holding it suspended most of the time in your non-dominant hand. It does not have to be full to the brim.
When taping drywall and spotting nails the goal is to apply enough mud to fill any dents and valleys in the wallboard. Bubbles in the tape coat are the result of not applying a smooth, COMPLETE coat of mud underneath the tape. Apply enough pressure to firmly adhere the tape to the seam, then completely scrape any excess mud from the wall.
To cut the tape to the desired length, try holding the tape firmly against the wall with the drywall knife. With the knife at an angle, pull the loose end of tape to make a clean cut.
You will have more control over your second and third coats if you encircle the knife handle with the thumb and last two fingers (ring & pinky). Hold the first two fingers of your hand on either side of the blade to create pressure on the outer edges of the knife.
We hope you will find these tips and techniques useful whenever installing and finishing drywall in your own home improvement projects.
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