Taping

It is important to do a good job when installing the drywall tape on your Tulsa Drywall because if you do not properly install the joint compound the tape can and will peel off of the wall and if that was to happen then you have to start over from the start but with extra work as you need to make sure that there is nothing loose underneath the tape. There are different types of drywall tape to use on your Tulsa Drywall, like paper tape that is more difficult to use but will have a stronger and long lasting finish if done properly. The other is fiberglass tape that will most of the time have an adhesive on the back that makes it easier for a homeowner to use as you don’t have to worry about having the proper amount of joint compound behind it. There is also another type that is a metal reinforced tape that is used on outside corners to help with building a nice looking outside corner on your Tulsa Drywall. You want to make sure that you clean up any dust that might be on the area that you are taping to make sure that you get a proper adhesion. The next step depending on what type of tape that you are using can be just sticking the fiberglass mesh tape directly to the Tulsa Drywall, or if you are using paper tape then you need to have a joint compound or “mud” bed to apply the paper tape to the area. After you have secured your tape to your Tulsa Drywall the next step is to use a six inch drywall knife to scrape out excess join compound from underneath the paper tape to help with a good adhesion and to prevent “blisters”, if you are using fiberglass mesh that you do not need to do this step.

If you have fiberglass mesh tape then you can apply a coat over the top of it and make sure to feather the edges to make the next few coats easier so that way you are not building up too much joint compound. Once you are enough mud or joint compound on the area you can then begin sanding to get a smooth finish but if you sand too far you may reveal the tape from underneath the joint compound, you do not want to do that because you will have to go back with another coat and wait for it to dry. We recommend you use a 120 grit sandpaper to remove a lot of material just make sure to be careful. After you have sanded just a little bit to remove ridges and high spots you can then move to a 220 grit or a wet sponge to “feather” the edges to blend in the joint. It can take up to 24-36 hours for the joint compound to dry fully to be able to be sanded. The tools you can use are a pole sander mainly used for flat surfaces to help speed up the process. Make sure you have a proper light so you can see any high or low spots while you are doing the finishing process of your Tulsa Drywall. You can also get an angled sanding sponge for inside corners to help avoid damaging the walls by hitting them with the pole sander. You can use a powered pole sander but without proper training it is very dangerous and can very quickly ruin all of the work that you have put in on your Tulsa Drywall. If you do sand too much just keep and eye out for a “fuzzy” look if you are using a paper tape on your Tulsa Drywall, if that does happen then stop and apply a thin layer of joint compound over the “fuzzy” area and let it dry, after it has dried that you can go back with a high grit sanding sponge or use a wet sponge to feather in that repair on your Tulsa Drywall. With a fiberglass mesh tape you may need to do multiple coats to help cover it. Make sure while sanding that you use light pressure while sanding your Tulsa Drywall. Make sure that you have proper personal protection equipment or PPE for short, items like safety glasses to keep the very fine drywall dust out of your eyes and a dust mask or respirator is also highly recommended because the fine particles can get into your lungs. Fiberglass mesh tape is a good and easy to use tape but it is very difficult to use on corners and it does not like to form to the inside corner or the outside corners and in areas like these it is recommended to use paper drywall tape. Make sure that you do not miss or skip the second coat because that will lead to cracking and not enough room for you to sand your Tulsa Drywall properly. You can get a pre-mixed joint compound from your local box or hardware store, make sure to mix it before you apply it to the wall or ceiling because you want it to apply in a smooth coat. If you need to you can add water to help make the joint compound smoother while mixing. There is also another type called “hot mud” that dries faster and is more recommended for the fiberglass mesh tape as it can be stronger and you will need more coats to cover. If you apply too much joint compound it’s not a bad thing it will just take longer to dry between coats and take longer to sand and feather in the edges on your Tulsa Drywall. So just remember the fiberglass mesh tape is good for a quick repair on flat surfaces and the paper tape is a stronger patch when installed properly and should be used on inside corners and the metal reinforced paper tape should be used for outside corners on your Tulsa Drywall.