How to Use Joint Compound
How to Use Joint Compound. Joint compound does what its name implies - it fills joints between drywall. Here's how to use it correctly, as well as a few tips on other helpful uses for this stuff.
Things You Will Need
- Joint Knives
- Drywall Joint Tape
- Sandpaper
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Finish a drywall joint by applying joint compound directly to the joint with a joint knife. The layer should be about 1/8 inch thick.
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Smooth a strip of joint tape over the area. (Tape with adhesive doesn't require the first layer of joint compound.) Press the tape down firmly with a joint knife, squeezing out air bubbles and excess compound.
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Let it dry. This could take up to 24 hours.
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Sand any areas that poke up and cut off any tape that sticks out or has obvious bubbles under it.
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Apply a thin coat of joint compound about 6 inches wide over the taped area.
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Let that layer dry.
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Sand the compound down so it's smooth and flat.
Tip
Joint compound can also be used to fill knotholes and deep dents in wood that will be painted. Patch a hole in a finished wall with a little bit of joint compound and some joint tape. (See "How to Patch a Hole in Drywall" under Related eHows.) Repair a missing piece of plaster with a gob of joint compound. Let it dry completely and sand it down to the needed shape.
Tips
- Joint compound can also be used to fill knotholes and deep dents in wood that will be painted.
- Patch a hole in a finished wall with a little bit of joint compound and some joint tape. (See "How to Patch a Hole in Drywall" under Related eHows.)
- Repair a missing piece of plaster with a gob of joint compound. Let it dry completely and sand it down to the needed shape.
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