Tapering drywall edges is an essential step in achieving a smooth and professional finish for interior walls and ceilings. Properly tapered joints conceal drywall seams and create a continuous surface ready for priming and painting. With some basic tools and materials, tapering drywall can be accomplished efficiently by DIYers. Follow these steps for perfectly tapered drywall edges.
Materials Needed for Tapering Drywall
Before starting the tapering process, ensure you have all the necessary materials on hand:
- Joint compound – Also called mud, joint compound comes in pre-mixed buckets or powder forms to be mixed with water. All-purpose joint compound is good for most tapering jobs.
- Drywall taping knives – You’ll need knives of different sizes for embedding tape and smoothing/feathering the joints. 6″, 8″, 10″ and 12″ knives are commonly used.
- Joint tape – Paper or fiberglass mesh tape bonds joints together and prevents cracks from developing. Paper tape is recommended for beginners.
- Sanding block and sandpaper – For smoothing tapered joints between coats and before priming/painting. 150-grit paper is ideal.
- Utility knife – For cutting tape and trimming off any excess.
- Taping pans and mud boxes – To hold joint compound for convenient application.
- Water bucket – For cleaning knives and preparing powder joint compounds.
- Protective apparel – Mask, goggles and disposable coveralls to avoid breathing and handling drywall dust.
Prep the Drywall Surface
Prior to tapering, the installed drywall sheets should be lightly sanded to remove any bumps or surface irregularities. This allows the tape and joint compound to adhere properly. Carefully sand at seams and use painter’s caulk to fill any gaps exceeding 1/16″.
Remove any dust from sanding to provide a clean surface for the joint compound. Wipe with a dry cloth, vacuum and/or use compressed air if needed. Any dust or debris left on the drywall can create air pockets and cracks when tapering.
Be sure the room temperature is at least 55°F during application and drying of joint compounds. Cooler temperatures can lead to delayed drying and improper curing. Proper ventilation is also key for drying the mud efficiently.
Apply Joint Tape
Joint tape provides long-term reinforcement for the drywall seam and prevents cracks from developing. For the first coat, “embedding” the tape into a thin layer of joint compound is recommended.
- Use a 4-6” taping knife to apply a thin, uniform coat of joint compound over the seam about 2-4 inches wide.
- Center the joint tape over the seam and gently press it into the wet joint compound using the taping knife.
- Apply a skim coat of compound over the tape, just enough to fully embed it into the joint. Press gently with the knife to flatten and even out the joint.
- Use the knife to carefully scrape off any excess compound beyond the seam. The tape and a thin coat should remain over the joint. Let dry according to manufacturer’s recommendations before applying second coat.
For inside corners, fold the tape along its central crease so it extends evenly on both sides of the corner seam. Apply a thin layer of compound and embed the tape centered along the corner.
Apply Second and Third Coats
After the first coat fully dries, additional coats of joint compound are applied to feather out the tapered edges:
- Second coat – Apply a slightly wider layer of compound over the seam, extending about 6 inches beyond the first coat. After drying, any high spots or ridges can be carefully sanded smooth before the final coat.
- Third coat – Using a 10-12” knife, apply the finishing coat centered over the joint, feathering the compound out 8-12” beyond the previous coat. Pull the compound as smooth and thin as possible while fully concealing the joint and tape underneath.
- Let dry completely, then lightly sand if needed to create the smoothest possible finish. The joint should be indistinguishable from the rest of the wall or ceiling.
Tips for Smooth Tapering Technique
Applying joint compound smoothly is a skill that takes practice to master. Here are some key tips for getting flawless, professional looking tapers:
- Keep knives clean using a wet sponge or rag. Joint compound dries quickly and buildup on the blade will leave marks.
- Hold the knife at a 45° angle as you smoothly spread a thin layer of mud over the area. Apply just enough to conceal the joint.
- Maintain consistent pressure and drag the knife lightly in a “pulling” motion to feather out the edges. Lifting the knife abruptly can leave ridges.
- Overlap strokes and repeat passes to blend the compound seamlessly. Move the blade in different directions.
- For inside corners, fold the knife into a curve shape and gently glide along both sides of the corner seam to taper.
- When the coat begins to set up, avoid the temptation to overwork the area. This can lead to cracks and excess feathering.
- Allow proper drying time between applications. Sand gently if needed to remove any imperfections before the next coat.
- Inspect under good lighting. Fill any low spots or voids to match the contour of the wall or ceiling.
Common Problem Areas and Solutions
Despite best efforts, imperfections in tapered joints can sometimes occur. Identifying the problem will allow you to correct it and achieve a flawless finish:
Cracking or blistering – Compound dried too fast. Improper mixing or drying conditions. Sand down, recoat.
Pitting/air bubbles – Pressing tape into compound leaves voids if rushed. Reapply tape with proper embedding method.
Ridges or uneven tapers – Overworked area or applied uneven pressure. Allow to fully dry, then recoat.
Joint photographing – Too much pressure used or coats applied too thickly. Sand down high areas before final coat.
Edge peeling – Poor adhesion to surface. Ensure dust is removed before taping, prime problem porous areas.
Visible seams – Insufficient feathering and blending of compound over tape. Widen and smooth coats.
Finishing Sanding and Prep for Paint
With skilfully tapered joints, the drywall is now ready for sanding, priming and painting. Here are some final steps for completion:
- Once joint compound is completely dry, sand all seams and tapered areas with 150-grit sandpaper. Ensure edges are feathered smoothly.
- Use a sanding block or pole sander to prevent creating valleys in the joints. Be careful not to scuff surrounding drywall paper.
- Vacuum dust thoroughly when sanding is completed before wiping down with a damp cloth. Let surface dry completely.
- Apply drywall primer to the entire prepared surface using a paint roller, brush or sprayer. Primer will seal the surface and improve paint adhesion.
- Spot prime over joints a second time if necessary to prevent joint photographing. Let primer fully dry overnight before painting.
- Finish by applying your preferred interior paint color(s) to achieve a uniform and professional looking drywall surface, free of imperfections.
Tips for Perfectly Tapered Drywall Edges
Achieving a smooth, flawless taper on drywall edges is within your DIY skills with these pro pointers:
- Take time to prep walls – any uneven areas will show. Fill gaps, sand, then ensure surface is clean.
- Embed tape into first thin coat of compound with smooth, even pressure to prevent air pockets.
- Feather out subsequent coats wider and thinner over the seam to blend edges seamlessly.
- Use quality tools – proper joint knives greatly improve the consistency of the taper.
- Keep knives clean – wipe and rinse often to prevent buildup that causes drag marks.
- Patience pays off – allow thorough drying between coats to prevent cracks and peeling.
- Inspect closely under lighting, fill any low spots that could telegraph seams.
- Master the techniques – consistent pressure, proper feathering and overlap strokes eliminate ridges.
- Sand carefully between coats, then finish sand evenly when dry to remove any imperfections.
- Prime before painting – seals the surface and prevents photographing of joints telegraphing through paint.
With practice and these tips, you can achieve flawless, professional looking tapered drywall edges throughout your home’s interior. Patiently take your time, do proper preparation and applications, and you’ll see amazing results free of telltale joints and seams.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tapering Drywall Edges
What is the best joint compound to use for drywall tapering?
All-purpose pre-mixed lightweight joint compounds are ideal for drywall tapering for DIYers. They spread smoothly, dry relatively quickly, and require little skill to work with. Avoid fast-drying compounds which can dry too quickly before finishing the joint.
How long does it take for joint compound to dry between coats?
Drying times vary based on temperature, humidity, ventilation and thickness of application. Typically, 1-3 hours between coats is sufficient, allowing longer times for thicker applications. Hot, dry conditions speed drying while cool, damp climates prolong drying.
Should I use paper tape or mesh tape on drywall joints?
Paper joint tape is recommended for beginners learning to taper drywall. It is easier to embed smoothly into the compound and helps prevent cracks. Fiberglass mesh tape requires more skill but adds strength once mastered.
What grit sandpaper is best for sanding joint compound?
Use medium grit 150-180 sandpaper for smoothing joint compound between coats and when completing the tapering process prior to priming and painting. Avoid rougher grits that can damage the drywall paper.
How many coats of joint compound are needed to taper drywall?
Typically, a minimum of 3 coats are recommended – one to embed the tape, a second wider coat to continue build up and taper, and a final thin coat to feather and blend the edges smoothly.
Should I use a taping knife or trowel to apply joint compound?
Flexible taping knives are specially designed for applying joint compound. They provide optimal flexibility over contoured areas and clean edges on flat surfaces. Trowels are best suited for thicker plaster applications.
Why do cracks keep appearing in my drywall tapered joints?
Cracking is commonly caused by applying coats too thickly, not allowing proper drying between coats, improper blending/feathering of edges, or environmental conditions like dramatic temperature swings.
How wide should each coat of joint compound extend beyond the previous one?
As a general rule, each coat should extend 2-4 inches wider than the previous, up to about 8-12 inches wide on the final feathered coat for smooth invisible seams.
How can I prevent visible seams and ridges when tapering drywall joints?
Consistent pressure when applying compound, proper feathering of edges, and thoroughly blending overlap strokes will minimize ridges. Take time to master technique and don’t overwork areas before drying.
Conclusion
Tapering drywall seams is a fundamental skill for achieving a smooth, continuous wall and ceiling finish. While it takes practice to master seamless drywall tapering technique, the right materials and methodical applications can lead to professional-looking results. Prep properly, apply joint compound in gradual, feathered coats, sand evenly when dry, then paint over expertly tapered seams. With patience and these tips, you can eliminate unsightly joints for a flawless interior drywall finish.