Short Answer:
If you want this simple:
- 1.Bed the tape in All Purpose compound
Let it dry fully - 3.Apply a second coat with a wider knife
- 4.Apply a thin final coat and feather wide
- 5.Sand lightly
Thin coats win. Wide feathering wins.
Patience wins.
Now let me walk you through it the way I actually do it on jobs.
What You Need Before You Start
Before mud hits the wall, you need:
- 6-inch taping knife
- 10-inch finishing knife
- Mud pan
- All Purpose joint compound
- Plus 3 compound for finishing
- Sanding sponge or pole sander
If you need the full tool breakdown, here is my complete drywall tools list: https://shoplowes.me/4qXiCjQ
Do not start until you have everything ready. Drywall finishing is smoother when you are not scrambling mid-coat.
Step 1: Mix and Prep Your Mud
Even premixed compound needs stirring.
Open the bucket. Stir it thoroughly.
If it feels thick, add a small amount of water and mix until it spreads smoothly but still holds shape.
Do not make it runny.
Too wet and it shrinks badly.
Too thick and it drags.
Step 2: Bedding the Tape
This is the most important step.
If tape fails, everything fails.
Apply a Base Layer
Using your 6-inch knife, apply a smooth layer of All Purpose compound over the seam.
Do not glob it on. Just enough to cover the joint.
Lay the Tape
Press paper tape into the wet mud.
Paper tape is stronger than mesh for flat seams. I use paper on almost every job unless it is a quick patch.
Embed the Tape
Pull your knife firmly over the tape to press it into the mud.
You want excess mud squeezing out from the edges.
If you see dry spots under the tape, you did not apply enough mud.
Let this coat dry fully.
Not mostly dry. Fully dry.
In Cleveland humidity, that can take longer than you expect.
Step 3: Second Coat
Once dry, scrape off any ridges or bumps.
Switch to your 10-inch knife.
Apply a wider coat over the seam.
The goal here is not thickness. It is width.
Feather the edges outward so the seam gradually blends into the wall.
Let it dry completely again.
Step 4: Final Coat
For the final coat, I usually switch to Plus 3.
It spreads smoother and sands easier.
Apply a thin, wide coat. Wider than the second coat.
Feather the edges clean.
The seam should look slightly raised while wet. That is normal.
When dry, it should feel smooth with only a slight crown in the center.
Step 5: Sanding
Sand lightly.
You are not shaping drywall. You are smoothing high spots.
Use:
- Sanding sponge for small areas
- Pole sander for long seams
If you sand aggressively, you will burn through the paper and create more work.
If you want deeper sanding tips, see:
What’s the Right Grit Sandpaper for Drywall Repairs?
How to Tape Inside Corners
Inside corners scare beginners.
They should not.
Apply mud to both sides of the corner.
Fold paper tape along the crease.
Press into the corner.
Use your 6-inch knife to embed one side at a time.
Let dry.
Apply thin coats to each side separately. Do not overload the corner.
If you want a tool breakdown for corners, see:
How Do I Install Drywall Corner Bead?
Common Mistakes That Ruin Drywall Finishing
Applying coats too thick
Thick coats crack and shrink.
Not letting coats dry fully
You trap moisture and create bubbles.
Overworking the mud
More passes do not mean better results.
Using mesh tape everywhere
Mesh is fine for patches. Paper is stronger for seams.
Trying to make it perfect in one coat
Drywall finishing is a layering process.
How Wide Should a Drywall Seam Be?
Wider than you think.
On factory edges, I often feather 8 to 12 inches wide.
On butt joints, sometimes wider.
If your seam is narrow, it will show under paint.
Width hides imperfections.
What If I See Bubbles in My Tape?
Bubbles mean one of three things:
- Not enough mud underneath
- Mud started drying before embedding
- Too much pressure pulled mud out
Small bubbles can sometimes be cut out and patched.
Large failures need to be redone.
How Long Should I Wait Between Coats?
Air dry mud usually needs 24 hours.
Setting compound can be recoated once it hardens.
Temperature and humidity matter.
Do not rush it.
If you want a breakdown on dry times, read:
How Long Does Drywall Mud Take to Dry?
Can a Beginner Get Professional Results?
Yes.
But you must:
- Use thin coats
- Use the correct knife sizes
- Feather wide
- Be patient
Most drywall failures I fix are from rushing.
Drywall is forgiving if you go slow.
When to Call It
If you have:
- Large ceiling seams
- Major water damage
- Whole room finishing
- Multiple butt joints
Drywall finishing gets exponentially harder at scale.
Small patches are manageable.
Full rooms require rhythm and speed.
If you are in Northeast Ohio and want it done clean without dust in your house for a week, Colin Can Help handles drywall repair and finishing professionally.