DIY & Home Improvement

If using the pre-mixed compound, do the first coat with the green top mix - it's stronger but hard to sand. Then top it with the blue top mix. That blue top isn't tough enough - especially with fiberglass. Use paper tape with the blue top.

The pros do the final top with that pre-mixed yellow stuff that comes in a box. Goes on like butter. Or so my brother/partner has been bitching to me on this ceiling repair we are working on.


I prefer to use the bag mix (hot mud) and mix it myself and go over the mesh tape. 90 minute mud - easy sand. I've had that blue top pre-mix get hairline cracks and had to go back and dig out the joints and re-mud with hot mud.

The hot mud is stronger. I had a pro on JLC (a pro forum) say the fiberglass tape is not needed if you use hot mud. I don't know about that. Seems risky.

Hot mud and fiberglass tape is the way to go for a novice. IMO. Paper tape can be a little tricky for a novice.

Like you said up-thread - many coats. Less is more. Apply a coat and take off the excess. The first 2 or three coats just fills in the gaps (and the shrinkage) as you proceed. I used to do 2 coats and a feather coat but now I do 3 coats and a feather coat - with knocking down any "boogers" with a taping knife in between coats.

The biggest mistake is trying to get it "perfect" on your first coats. The first coats just set up a flat surface. The you can do a final feather coat.