While the average homeowner can learn how to finish drywall, this work takes years to master. Do you want to master butt joints? Do you want to make invisible repairs? These advanced drywall finishing techniques will help you elevate your performance and transform your walls.
Drywall Finishing Tools Professionals Use
Your work will only be as good as your tools. Consider starting with drywall screws. Nails may be faster to drive, but these hold up better over time. S-type are even self-threading, so they will not grip. For maximum longevity, use black screws.
Black drywall screws have a phosphate coating, keeping wet mud from causing the screw head to rust. They are typically only ideal for indoor projects — they are corrosion-resistant, not rust-proof — other, more durable coatings exist.
Materials like zinc offer corrosion resistance because they form a barrier between the screw head and its surroundings. While nails can have the same properties, their coatings may be unnecessarily thick, complicating many drywall finishing techniques.
High-performance additives are also necessities for quality work. Take Acti-Gel 208 purified attapulgite, for example. It significantly improves workability with dry powder joint compounds despite a dosage rate of 80% to 90% lower than attapulgite grades.
For efficiency, use automatic taping tools. They simultaneously tape and apply mud to seams, corners and edges. They are ideal for large projects where speed is essential — you save time without sacrificing precision or uniformity.
An electric drywall sander is essential to many drywall finishing techniques — and an evident upgrade from a sanding pole. The rotating, variable-speed disc ensures even, precise sanding. The vacuum automatically extracts dust, ensuring you have a clean worksite.
Advanced Drywall Finishing Techniques
With these advanced drywall finishing techniques, your work will undoubtedly look professional.
1.Utilize Corner Beads
Utilize corner beads to achieve a clean, high-quality finish while protecting the drywall’s fragile outer corners. You can also use them to guide your taping knife while applying mud to ensure a smooth, even finish.
2.Wipe Dust off With a Damp Rag
Use a damp rag to wipe off drywall dust. This way, you avoid compromising the adhesion. Since primer sticks to dust, and dust does not stick to the wall, it will fall off otherwise. You should not underestimate the importance of this preparation step.
3.Cut “V” Grooves at Butt Joints
Instead of eliminating unnecessary joints or accepting butt seams, make them easier to conceal. Hold your utility knife at an angle and cut the edges of the drywall at the butt joints to create a “V” groove. This way, you won’t get a bump along the seam when you are done.
Fill the “V” recess with setting-type mud and let it dry before covering the tapered seam with more mud and tape. Butt joints are one of the toughest to tape — and such imperfections are highly visible — so having this trick handy is essential.
4.Feather Joint Compound Edges
Feathering drywall prevents visible ridges. Feather the mud’s edges to create a smooth transition between the wall and joint compound. Apply consistent pressure and keep your knife angled as you drag it along the joint. Use progressively larger knives to maximize smoothness.
5.Sand Each Layer of Mud
With layered sanding, your sandpaper grit gets progressively finer. This approach prevents over and under-sanding. You should start with 120 grit, working your way up to 220 grit for a quick final pass. Your surface will be smooth and paint-ready this way.
Drywall Finishing Techniques for Repairs
Use these drywall finishing techniques to fix finishing mistakes or perfect your patching method.
1.Use Specialized Texture Sprays
Hopper guns and airless sprayers simplify patching. You can add anything from a slapbrush to an orange-peel texture, helping you hide minor imperfections. For larger projects, use texture sprayers and high-viscosity materials. Precision work and priming require fine finish spray tips.
2.Cut Loose or Bubbled Tape Off
If your tape bubbles or loosens, cut it instead of covering it — it will just reappear otherwise. Fill in the recess with the setting compound. Let the mud harden before applying another coat. Feather the edges to ensure a seamless finish.
3.Prioritize Preparation and Priming
For invisible repairs, prioritize preparation and priming. Properly prep the area to eliminate loose paper fibers and dust. Primer will stick to old paint and mud will stick to it — and there is no guarantee the compound will stick to old paint.
Priming is one of the most underrated professional drywall finishing techniques because it helps you avoid flashing. This way, you can expertly conceal imperfect patch marks. For smaller repairs, prime only the affected area. Use feathering to ensure the wall’s texture is even and flat.
4.Skim Coat the Drywall
Apply a thin layer of mud over the entire wall. Smooth out any major imperfections and let dry for up to 24 hours — do not rush. Use a putty knife to scrape the ridges and blobs off. Do not sand. Repeat the entire process. Once you are done mudding, sand and wipe the dust off.
Expert Tips for for Smooth, Uniform Drywall
If your tools last longer and perform better, you won’t have to do as much work to reach perfection. Remember to wipe your knives off thoroughly after each use to prevent corrosion and extend wear. A better blade means cleaner finishes.
You should also consider upgrading your lighting — bright, full-coverage lights can help you identify minor imperfections. You can only fix what you can see. Placing work lights parallel to the drywall can help you spot small ridges and blobs.
Incorporate These Techniques Into Your Work
You have probably learned a few tricks over the years that help you work fast and do things right. That said, even the experts always have more to learn. Consider using these advanced techniques in your process to elevate your performance.
