A guy on a job in Tacoma told me my taping looked like a kid did it

He said I was pressing way too hard on my knife, leaving thick ridges that needed tons of sanding. I tried his tip to use a lighter touch and let the mud do the work. After three sheets, I saw the difference, way less sanding needed. Anyone else have a simple tip that saved them a bunch of time?

3 comments

3 Comments

clark.robin1mo ago

You really think a light touch works for every type of mud? I've been doing this for years and a firm press is the only way I get a clean feather. That light method leaves behind a weak edge that chips way too easy. Maybe it works for some guys, but I need a finish that lasts.

anna_fox71mo ago

Yeah, clark.robin, I was right there with you. For the longest time I thought a firm press was the only way to get a solid edge that wouldn't fail. I was so wrong. That light touch feels like you're not doing anything, but it lays down a smooth coat that feathers out almost by itself. The mud doesn't get squeezed out from under the knife, so you get a full bed of it. It totally changed my finish work and cut my sanding time in half.

olivia_rivera881mo ago

Read a drywall forum where they said the same thing. Light touch is key, feels wrong at first but it works.