How to Hide the Seams Between Plasterboard
Plasterboard comes in 4-by-8 foot sheets. The interior is gypsum plaster and the exterior is usually fiberglass that looks like paper. It is much faster to sheathe an interior wall with plasterboard than with plaster and it generally takes less skill. At a glance, a plasterboard wall looks like plaster. But plasterboard is nailed or screwed to the wall studs so those fasteners leave visible marks in the surface. And, the seams where each sheet meets another also must be covered before the wall can be painted. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nail set and hammer or a screwdriver
- Fiberglass mesh drywall tape
- Utility knife
- Step ladder
- Premixed, all purpose, joint compound
- 8-inch-wide drywall knife
- 180 grit sandpaper
- 220 grit sandpaper
- One-coat latex paint
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Recess all nails and screws beneath the surface of the plasterboard using a nail set and hammer or a screwdriver.
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2
Stretch fiberglass mesh drywall tape over the length of each seam. Mesh tape is self-adhering. Cut away excess tape at the top and bottom of the seam with a utility knife. Stand on a step ladder to reach the top of the seam near the ceiling.
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3
Cover the mesh tape over each seam with a 1/8 inch thick coat of premixed, all purpose, joint compound using an 8-inch-wide drywall knife. This compound comes in 1 gallon pails and can be used right out of the container. Allow the joint compound to dry for 24 hours.
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4
Sand the compound over the joint with 180 grit sandpaper. Apply a second, thin coat of premixed, all purpose, joint compound using an 8-inch-wide drywall knife over all the seams. Sand the second coat with 220 grit sandpaper after 24 hours.
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5
Paint the wall using two coats of "one coat" latex paint in any color.
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