Choose Your Drywall Tape
Step1
Decide whether you want to use paper drywall tape or sticky-back fiberglass mesh tape. Professionals use paper tape, but many amateurs prefer the fiberglass mesh tape because it sticks by itself. The down side to the mesh tape is it's thicker than the paper tape and the mesh can get caught on the drywall knife on the first coat. The following steps apply to paper tape.
Taping Walls
Step1
Cut the pieces of tape for the seams to the proper length and lay them near where they'll be used.
Step2
Use your 4-inch drywall knife to spread a layer of premixed drywall compound (mud) along the drywall seam. The mud should cover at least the width of the tape.
Step3
Wet your 4-inch knife in a bucket of water and then center the tape on the joint. While holding the tape at the top, run your 4-inch knife (held at a 45-degree angle) along the length of tape, pushing it down into the mud. Apply enough pressure to force the tape well down into the mud and force excess mud out around the edges. Scrape away the excess mud and allow the mud to dry overnight.
Step4
The next day, use your drywall knife to scrape away any dried mud that is creating ridges or bumps along the seam. You may need to use two hands to get rid of some of them, but it's important that you end up with an even surface.
Step5
Wet your 10-inch knife and apply a second coat of mud about 6 inches wide that covers your first layer. Hold the knife perpendicular to the seam and scrape down the seam, removing any excess mud from the edges.
Step6
Again let the seam dry overnight. Dry scrape the wall to remove any bumps or ridges and then wet your 10-inch knife and apply the third coat, but this time cover a wider area—8 to 10 inches wide. Allow it to dry.
Step7
Scrape away any ridges when the mud has dried and then lightly sand the edges using 200-grit sandpaper.
Step8
Vacuum or sweep up the dust and apply a primer in preparation for painting the walls.
Outside Corners
Step1
Install metal corner beads (available at home stores) on the outside corners. Measure and cut them to length using tin snips. Use nails or drywall screws about 8 to 10 inches apart, and be sure the heads are below the metal edge. Check that no heads are protruding by running a drywall knife down the length of the corner bead bridging the corner bead and the wall.
Step2
Apply joint compound (using your 6-inch knife) along the length of the corner bead. Hold one side of the knife on the bead and the other on the wall. Do the same on the other side and allow the joint compound to dry overnight.
Step3
Use your knife to scrape the edges smooth and then wet your 10-inch knife and apply a second coat of mud. Spread it about 8 inches wide and allow it to dry.
Step4
Apply a third coat using the same process (this time go about 10 inches wide on the wall side) and then lightly sand the area prior to painting.
Inside Corners
Step1
Apply a layer of mud to both sides of the corner.
Step2
Fold your tape in half and hold it in the corner.
Step3
Use your cornering tool and run it along the length of the seam to embed the tape into the mud, forcing some out around the edges.
Step4
Apply some mud to the walls and some to your corner tool. Using a smooth stroke, run the corner tool down the length of the seam, spreading the layer of mud. Feather out the edges using your 6-inch knife.
Step5
Apply subsequent coats (allowing them to dry between coats) using your 6-inch knife and spreading the mud wider with each coat until you end up about 8 inches out of the corner on each side.
Step6
Lightly sand the edges and prime the wall.
