I need to get multiple coats on some patchwork and failing corner tape, and would like to know which type of compund to use.
The job is quite a distance to drive everyday for 45 minutes to an hour of work each day. With the fuel cost and my work truck, I want to get a few coats per day and be done. I know it will take at least three coats and a final skim to get paint ready, and with regular joint compound I would have to let it dry each day before recaoting. $-5 trips with fuel costs these days equals….not much profit or worth doing really, but it’s a good client so I’m in either way.
I’m not familiar with using any “fast drying” compounds, but have done much taping and spackling, so any advice on a product would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
Fast drying joint compound
Durabond 90 for most jobs Durabond 45 for small jobs (dries too fast for my taste). Most of the time can recoat in a couple of hours. takes a little practice getting the mix right.
Is this something that I can pick up at a home depot or lowes type store? Thanks for info.
If it isn't, you should quit shoping there. Setting type compounds are a staple of the wall finishing business.
For small patches I have used the Easysand 15. Three coats and paint on in one short day. Dutabond is harder and better for base coats. The number refers to working time after mixing.
for instance, I use Durabond 90 on larger jobs. One mix gets from start to coffee break, second mix to linch, etc. Clean your mixing bucket well between mixes. Only let it harden in the bucket if you want to throw that bucket away.
For very small patches, you can mix in a larger ziplock bag. Add the water, close it up, and knead it until ready. Saves a lot of cleanup time.
Do NOT empty cleanup residue into plumbing drains. This stuff will kick under water.
Great info thanks much!
If you can, go to a dwall supply house.
There you'll find powder mixes down to 5.
I carry 20 on most patch jobs, would use the real Durabond b/4 easysand for the first coat especially on failed tape.
There are times Durabond or Easysand 5 would be used-but not for messing around. You can get a bit quicker response by mixing with hot water.
With a fan to move the air around, maybe a hair dryer to provide both heat and moving air, you'll speed up dry time. But, there's nothing like overnight drying b/4 sanding.
You can get a passable smooth out wiping down the edges with a damp rag or maybe a non coarse sponge.
For skimming, I still like thinned bucket mud, rolled on and then hit with a wide trowel. For more mud skimming, slightly thinned bucket mud (topping or liteweight).
Note that all water-based compounds "dry" at roughly the same rate (though likely "lite" compounds dry a bit faster). But the "setting type" compounds contain something along the lines of plaster of paris and will harden even when wet (in fact, even under water). Hence you have to mix them "to order" and use before the stuff begins to curdle (which is usually shorter than the label time).
This means, among other things, that newly-applied setting-type compound will not sand like dry compound, even though it's well beyond it's setting time -- you have to adjust your sanding style a bit. (It also, of course, means that you should only mix as much as you can use in a short period of time, and have everything all prepped before you start.)
I figure if I can get the base coats fairly smooth on initail apllications, than I can skim with thinned mud on final pass, and sanding should be as normal, and minimal.
Thanks for your info.
No need to thin if using easysand for topcoats. It is almost too soft. Sometimes I add white glue to make it a bit harder, but I don't recommend trying that until you get the hjang of setting type mudf
I think,
he's thinning bucket mud for the last.
Easy sand bucket mud? That's Really soft! Look at it and it scratches. I thought he wanted fast work. But maybe ther is a lot of area....
Never heard the whole description.........
but this is what I use as an easy sand multi purpose compound out of a bucket.
SHEETROCK Brand PLUS 3 Lightweight All-Purpose Joint Compound, Ready-Mixed, offers all of the benefits of a conventional-weight, all-purpose joint compound with three key advantages: up to 30-percent less weight; less shrinkage; and exceptional ease of sanding. It offers good crack-resistance, excellent adhesion, and superior ease of handling.
The compound is used for embedding and finishing and requires only two coats over corner beads and fasteners. It combines all-purpose single-package convenience with optimum taping and topping performance, sanding with the ease of a topping compound and bonding like a taping compound.
The compound meets ASTM C475
The bagged easy sand ends up with just a bit of difference in texture than this bucket mud. Yes it's easy to sand but I wouldn't consider it "real soft". Most like the topping finish.
Also, perhaps you and I are talking different manufacturers as you can get 15, but the Easysand from USG only comes 5, 20, 45, .........
Easy sand bucket mud? That's Really soft! Look at it and it scratches. I thought he wanted fast work. But maybe ther is a lot of area....
Mick
I'd go Durabond 20, Easysand 5 (one or two coats) and finish with thinned bucket mud. OR all 20 if more to do............ OR all 45 if even more to do. I tape out rooms with mostly 90 for setting tape, then 45 the rest of the way. More mixing but quicker drying.
BUT, gotta move fast. Depends on how much you have to do. This stuff lasts forever. I keep it in the bag in an old bucket with lid in the shop. So, and investment now gives you the product when you need it. MAYBE-a box store has it in smaller quantities.............Maybe.
Here's the scoop from USG.
SHEETROCK Brand Easy Sand Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds are chemically-setting powder compounds that permit same-day joint finishing and next-day decoration of drywall interiors and protected exterior soffits. They resist humidity, applying easily in damp weather where other drying-type compounds would delay job completion.
The lightweight, easy-to-handle compounds can be used for a variety of applications: filling, smoothing and finishing interior concrete ceilings and above-grade concrete; taping and finishing FIBEROCK® Aqua-Tough™ Interior Panels under tile in bathroom wall areas; taping and finishing SHEETROCK Brand Mold Tough® Gypsum Panels; and for finishing joints in protected exterior gypsum ceiling soffits. They provide low shrinkage and superior bond, which make them excellent for laminating gypsum panels to gypsum panels, sound-deadening boards, and above-grade concrete surfaces. They are ideal for heavy fills, and they sand easily, allowing fast, smooth finishing.
The compounds are available in a range of formulations that provide a choice in setting times: Easy Sand 5, 8-12 minutes; Easy Sand 20, 20-30 minutes; Easy Sand 45, 30-80 minutes; Easy Sand 90, 85-130 minutes; and Easy Sand 210, 80-240 minutes.