How to Spackle Drywall Joints

Once the drywall is hung with seams and corners taped...the fun begins! Spackling drywall is learned 'art' but with a few spackling tools and a little practice, you can professionally finish almost any drywall project.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• all-purpose spackle
• mud/spackle tray
• 4 in. spackle knife
• 8 in. spackle knife
• 12in. spackle knife
• shop vac
• inside corner tool
• electric drill
• drywall mixing paddle

1. Prep All Purpose Spackle
   Before beginning, spackle must be mixed. With an electric drill and a mixing paddle mix your spackle to ensure a good consistency. Your spackle is properly mixed when it is the consistency of smooth peanut butter.

2. Fill Holes
   Start with filling in all nail or screw holes. Use a 4-nch knife to ‘swipe' a dab of spackle over nail/screw hole. The idea behind the spackle 'swipe' is to fill the hole AND at the same time swipe excess spackle - all in one pass. Sound tricky? With practice it becomes easier. It's best to fill nail/screw holes twice, allowing the first fill to dry thoroughly before applying the final coat.

3. Spackle Horizontal
   Spackle horizontal joints next. Use an 8- or 10-inch broad knife for this. Begin with applying a heavy coat of spackle over the drywall tape, filling the joint space between the drywall pieces. Horizontal joints require three coats. The first coat is to fill and is the heaviest coat. Your second coat, levels the joint surface. The third/final coat feathers the edges of the joint rendering it invisible. For the third coat use a 12-inch-wide broad knife. Also note, you must allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

4. Spackle Outside Conrners
   Spackle outside corners also in three coats. Use an 8-inch knife for the first coat. Run one edge of the knife on the corner bead as the other edge runs over the drywall. Repeat each coat like your horizontal coats, allowing proper dry time between each coat. And again, use the 12-inch knife for your third application.

5. Inside Corner Spackling
   Inside corners are the most challenging to master. Begin by applying a heavy coat of spackle to the inside corner with an 8-inch spackle knife. Then using your corner tool press the spackle into the corner and square it up. Always use long strokes with the corner tool. This will help you create the perfect, square inside corner. Again, you will apply three coats. In corner spackling however your second and third coat will be used to feather out and finish edges.

6. After the third and lightest coat of spackle has dried, lightly sand all work as needed. Depending on your wall you may need to add spackle or repeat steps for perfection. The goal is to make all joints virtually undetectable! Bottom line, if you can see the edges of a joint, you are not finished spackling yet:).

7. After spackle is done and sanded your drywall is finished. Vacuum the area thoroughly. Now you're ready to add your drywall sealer/primer and paint or wallpaper as desired!

Tips & Warnings

• After mixing spackle, add just a touch of water to cover the top of the spackle. Just a little! This creates a moisture 'lid' and will prevent your spackle from drying out as you spackle!
• For best results keep your spackling tools clean. Remove dried spackle from your tools as you work.
• It is important to let each coat dry thoroughly between spackle applications.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[cygnetbrown]

on 5/29/2009 I'm going to be doing this soon. Thanks for the tips!