Dennis

Sheetrock repair

My daughter's house has a hole in the sheetrock ceiling about an irregular shaped 6" by 8" 9(Jagged tear). I figured I could cut out a square and replace the square but have always had trouble getting a smooth surface when repairing the mud. Can you recommend an easy to use mud that, with a large trowel will need no or very little sanding to complete the job? I have seen ceiling repair in the past where the work required no sand ing and liiks great. Thanks in advance..

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home improvement, eric stromer

Posted 2009-06-12T19:04:13Z
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Colo Bob

514 answers

98 helpful answers

The secret to drywall repair and installation is use small amounts of mud. There is an art to it, but most people lay it on thick and expect to sand it. When you tape the joints lay a thin solid trail of mud. Immediately use the tape knife to imbed the tape and screed extra mud out. Immediately lay a thin layer of mud on top of the tape. Since these will be butt joints you won't have the advantage of the depressed edge. You will have to make a small mound of mud to cover the joint. As you work the wet mud bring your mud out away from the center of the joint. Don't leave ridges in the mud to sand off later. If you take your time and work quickly when you finish the first coat you should not have to sand. Then apply the second coat again, use a small amount of mud so the second coat is only about 1/16-1/8 inch thick. Hold your knife about 45 degreese to the ceiling. If you notice small bubbles in the mud you have the knife too flat to the ceilind which causes air to be trapped under the knife and forces bubble holes in the drying mud. The third coat can be a topping coat, but it isn't necessary. The topping coats are a little creamy with smaller particles. If you picked up the knack the amount of sanding is more for your safisfaction than necessary. I prefer to get the dry material to mix myself. It comes in different drying times (30, 45 minute etc.) Get the 45 which will give you plenty of time to work it. Also when you finish you can store it in a dry place and it will last for years. If you get the premix, I don't recommend the light mix because it tends to be soft when dry. I guess on the ceiling it doesn't matter too much, but it will mark and shows depressions easily. Hope this helps you.

Posted 2009-06-12T22:48:08Z

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