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Choosing, Mixing and Storing Drywall Joint Compound... a.k.a. "Mud"
by Mike Bell of DrywallSchool.com
There are many different brands of joint compound, but there are really only 3 distinct types:
- All purpose : Used for taping and texture. Can be used for coating, but shrinks more and sands harder. I use "2T" made by Sudden Bond or "All purpose" made by Gold Bond .
- Topping : Used for 1st and 2nd coats. It Shrinks less and sands much easier then all purpose. I use "4T" made by Sudden Bond or "Pro Form Lite" made by Gold Bond .
- Quick set (Hot Mud): This comes in bags. It's powder that you mix with water. Ranges in drying time from 5 minutes to 210 minutes. Be careful, once it starts setting up, there's no stopping it, and it is very hard to sand.
Mud comes in pales, bags, buckets and boxes.
HOW TO MIX REGULAR DRYWALL COMPOUND... OR MUD
Open up your box of mud, then open the inside plastic bag. Pull the plastic around the outside of the box.
Hold the box over your empty bucket corner side down. Slowly shake the box until the mud starts coming out. Hold the outside plastic bag so when the mud falls into the bucket you are still holding the empty bag. It takes a little practice... but you can do it..
The mud is too thick right now to do anything. Pour in a cup or two of water depending on how thin you want it.. There are 2 ways to mix the mud. You can use the stomper (Mud masher) or you can use an electric drill with a mud paddle. Mix it up until it is smooth and lump free.
My bucket is ready to go!!
If your using a new bucket of mud (not a box), you might want to remove a scoop or 2 of mud so there will be room for your water, then mix.
HOW TO SAVE YOUR DRYWALL COMPOUND (TOP IT OFF)
By "topping" off your mud you are creating a water seal to keep everything fresh. Once your mud is topped off you can leave it overnight or leave it for 2 weeks. First use your hand and wipe down the side of the bucket. Now pour in a couple inches of water and scrub down the sides. I always leave my stomper right in the bucket and I scrub down the handle.
That's It!!
Now we have a nice bucket of mud, topped off and ready to use again. It's not going to dry out and we didn't even have to wash the stomper. When your ready to use it again just dump off the excess water and your good to go.
HOW TO MIX HOT MUD
Pour a little water in your drywall pan 1st. Now slowly pour in a small amount of hot mud powder. Keep stirring up the mud using a 6 inch drywall knife. This takes a little practice. If it gets too thick ad a little water, too thin ad a little powder. When you get it nice and smooth you are ready to do some coating. In this example, I'm using "20 minute" mud which means it starts setting up in 15-20 minutes. If you use 5 min or 20 min, don't waste too much time mixing it up. You can buy all different speeds (drying time) of hot mud, any where from 5 to 210 minute.
DONE!
Our thanks to Mike Bell of DrywallSchool.com for this fine article!
