What size knife do you use to tape drywall?
Drywall Knife in 12-, 6-, and 4-Inch Sizes The 6-inch knife and the 4-inch knife are used for slopping the mud into place and for taping. The 12-inch knife is used for feathering and final coats. You will need either the 4- or 6-inch (they are fairly interchangeable) and the 12-inch knife.
What is the widest drywall knife?
Advance 24″ Wide Blade Drywall Skimming Knife Features
- Tempered blade with aluminum back mount.
- 16″ Wood Handle for Extra Reach.
- Wide Blade (5.625″ with holder) Holds More Material.
- Made in USA.
What is the difference between a taping knife and a joint knife?
Other Considerations. Some manufacturers make a distinction between joint knives and taping knives. Generally, joint knives are smaller (6” and below) while taping knives are larger (6” and above). As you can see (and as noted above), this marks the 6” knife as the most versatile size.
What size taping knife do they recommend starting to spread mud with?
Cover all the tape with setting compound using a 6-inch taping knife. Apply enough mud to fill the gaps under the tape, but remember, setting compound is much harder than the two coats of joint compound you’re going to apply the next two days, so you want to end up with just a thin coat covering the tape.
How many drywall knives do you need?
Only four tools for finishing are absolutely essential: a mud pan, two drywall knives and a sander. But a few others can help the job go more smoothly, quickly and cleanly. A couple of drywall knives are essential to finishing drywall.
What is the difference between a putty knife and a scraper?
While they both look the same, scrapers have a stiff blade that is too stiff for the efficient application of compounds. Putty knives, on the other hand, have a thinner blade that is too flexible for scraping.
Should you overlap drywall tape?
DON’T overlap drywall tape. Its flexible blade will distribute mud uniformly over the joints. Then, immediately after applying mud to the entire length of a single vertical joint, position a strip of paper tape (about two inches shorter than the joint) over the wet mud.
What size putty knife should I get?
If you’re only going to get one putty knife, Young suggests one with a 1½-inch wide blade because they’re “good for filling holes and removing tape on walls.” When you go bigger, you lose precision and the ability to get into tight corners. Smaller widths are too narrow to fill wider cracks.
What can I use instead of a putty knife?
If you don’t have a putty knife, just about anything with a flat edge and at least one smooth side will work—a butter knife, a paint stirrer, or even a ruler.
How much pressure should be on a drywall knife?
Hold the taping knife at a 45-degree angle and use light pressure—just enough to smooth out the edge, but not enough that you make a ridge in the mud.
Do you wet drywall tape before applying?
Dampen, but don’t soak, the tape in a bucket of water. Wetting the tape before you embed it in the joint compound can help eliminate troublesome bubbles that show up after the joint dries. Keep a bucket of water nearby and quickly run each piece of tape through it before applying the tape to the wall.
Can you finish drywall in 2 coats?
If your wall has distinct crevices, cracks, or textured areas, or if your brand of drywall mud isn’t offering enough coverage, you may have to do a couple of additional coats of compound. However, in general, you’ll need one coat to fill in the seams and three more coats after taping.
Is it better to use a plastic or metal putty knife?
Plastic blades are often disposable and do not stand up well to continued use. A better-constructed blade is made from ground and polished carbon steel. However, although the carbon steel is more durable, it may rust if not properly maintained. The premium version of a putty knife blade is made of stainless steel.