How to Bead Drywall
Corner bead consists of either a metal or plastic perforated track and covers the outside corner where two pieces of drywall meet. The L-shaped corner bead serves to create the typical crisp corner of finished drywall or to round it off into a bull nose shape. Installers secure drywall bead as one of the last steps, typically during the taping and mudding process. Installation is fairly straightforward and takes little time to do. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Tin snips
- Drywall spray adhesive
- Joint compound
- Drywall knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Drywall nails
- Hammer
Instructions
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Install Plastic Corner Bead
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1
Measure from the top to the bottom of the corner of the drywall with a tape measure.
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2
Lay a piece of drywall bead on the floor and use the tape measure to determine where you need to cut it. Draw a pencil line along the cut location and cut through it with tin snips.
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3
Shake up a can of drywall spray adhesive. Spray the corner of the drywall, from ceiling to floor. Extend the spray out at least 1 inch on either side of the corner.
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4
Turn the corner bead over and spray the back of it completely with additional adhesive.
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5
Press the corner bead onto the corner of the drywall gently until all surfaces contact the wall. Pull the corner bead off of the wall then press it back into position with firmer pressure to secure it in place. This process creates a stronger bond between the bead and the adhesive.
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6
Insert a drywall knife into a tub of joint compound and scoop up approximately 1 cup. Spread it over the plastic bead until it is no longer visible.
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7
Wait until the joint compound dries then sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
Install Metal Corner Bead
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8
Grasp the metal bead in your hand and squeeze it gently to close it slightly less than a 90-degree angle. Don't close it too much; barely squeezing it is all that is required.
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9
Measure the length of the corner then cut the metal bead to the appropriate length with tin snips.
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10
Place the metal bead over the drywall corner and insert drywall nails along either side of it, spacing the nails approximately every 3 to 4 inches along the entire bead.
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11
Remove the top from a tub of joint compound and scoop up 1 cup with a drywall knife. Start at the top of the metal bead and apply the compound in a 1/2-inch layer all the way down both sides until you no longer see the bead.
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12
Sand the joint compound until smooth with fine-grit sandpaper after it dries completely.
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