How to Use Joint Compound

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Use Joint Compound

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Joint compound does what its name implies - it fills joints between drywall. Here's how to use it correctly, as well as a few tips on other helpful uses for this stuff.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Joint Knives
Drywall Joint Tape
Sandpaper

Step1

Finish a drywall joint by applying joint compound directly to the joint with a joint knife. The layer should be about 1/8 inch thick.

Step2

Smooth a strip of joint tape over the area. (Tape with adhesive doesn't require the first layer of joint compound.) Press the tape down firmly with a joint knife, squeezing out air bubbles and excess compound.

Step3

Let it dry. This could take up to 24 hours.

Step4

Sand any areas that poke up and cut off any tape that sticks out or has obvious bubbles under it.

Step5

Apply a thin coat of joint compound about 6 inches wide over the taped area.

Step6

Let that layer dry.

Step7

Sand the compound down so it's smooth and flat.

Tips & Warnings

Joint compound can also be used to fill knotholes and deep dents in wood that will be painted.
Patch a hole in a finished wall with a little bit of joint compound and some joint tape. (See "How to Patch a Hole in Drywall" under Related eHows.)
Repair a missing piece of plaster with a gob of joint compound. Let it dry completely and sand it down to the needed shape.