How to Apply Joint Tape

Taping and "mudding" Sheetrock (drywall) is a process that requires practice - and if you're doing a whole room or a whole house you'll get plenty of that. The first coat is the tape coat - here's what to do.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Utility Knives
• Drywall Joint Compound
• Drywall Joint Tape
• Drywall Trowel And Knives

Apply Tape to Joints

1. Choose your weapon. Taping a joint can be done with two different types of tape: paper tape or self-adhering mesh tape.

2. 

   Apply adhesive mesh tape directly to the Sheetrock, centering the strip of tape over the joint and pressing it firmly to the surface.

3. 

   Apply paper tape a bit differently: Load your 4- or 6-inch taping knife with drywall compound (mud) and apply it in an even thin coat along the joint; then take a length of the paper tape and press it into the mud with your knife.

4. Make sure that the tape (whichever you use) is smooth and that there are no air bubbles under it.

5. 

   Apply another thin coat over the top of the tape. You should still be able to see the tape through the drywall compound.

6. Allow this to dry completely before applying additional coats of drywall compound. (You won't need to apply additional tape.)

Apply Tape to Inside Corners

7. Press adhesive mesh tape directly into the corner. Make sure that the tape is evenly shared between the two walls.

8. Apply paper tape with a mud bed, as described above. Spread a thin layer of mud into a corner joint with a trowel. Fold a length of tape in half and press its fold into the corner. Run corner trowel down middle of corner to press tape into mud and work out excess mud.

9. Spread a thin layer of mud on top of tape using corner trowel.

Tips & Warnings

• Mud all nail or screw heads with this first coat.

[Saimon]

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[seamusconlon]

on 10/30/2006 Although the article is very good, you do not comment on what to do with the excess mud that accumulates outside the area that is being taped. Does one use sandpaper to get it off or what does one do to get a smooth surface to paint - when the job is doen?

on 12/19/2005 I've been doing finish drywall work for many years, and I always add some water to my all-purpose mud before starting to apply tape. It will make the mud smooth out a lot easier. I also use an 8 inch knife taping flats and butt joints, a 6 inch knife on angles spreading the mud sideways with my knife, not the 6 inch way. The key is to get plenty of mud on the walls so you don't have blisters.

on 11/22/2005 Wet tape sticks to the underlying mud. It is much better than using it dry and it is easier to see any trapped air under the tape. After submersing the tape in water, run it between two fingers to remove most of the water and then apply.

on 11/22/2005 I find mesh tape much easier to use in corners. Cut the tape to length and form a crease in it, as best you can. Apply the tape to the corner, keeping the crease centered as much as possible. Take a corner trowel (before you apply the mud) and run it lightly down the corner. This will eliminate unevenness in the corner and form a nice crisp crease.