Replies

1. 
   calvin | Jan 30, 2010 06:41am | #1

   If you are having trouble with bubbles under the tape, you might benefit with wetting the tape. If not, no real difference except the time it takes to do it.

   Too little or too dry compound under the tape is the usual cause of bubbles. Not prefilling and let dry larger gaps in the board will do this also.

2. 
   hammer1 | Jan 30, 2010 08:23am | #2

   Can't say I've ever seen a
   Can't say I've ever seen a pro taper wet the tape. You don't want the paper tape to be soft. It wrinkles easily, may shrink and can get torn, especially when you do inside corners.

1. 
   JTC1 | Feb 04, 2010 07:42pm | #10

   Can't say as how I have seen
   Can't say as how I have seen any pro tapers wet the tape either......but I've seen a lot of banjos in use which does it for them.

   Me? No banjo, but I dip and squeegee between my fingers.

   To each his own, whatever works for you.

   Jim

3. 
   DanH | Jan 30, 2010 09:27am | #3

   A pro can probably manage without dipping, but it's easier for us hacks to do it if you dip it.

   Also helps a lot to thin the mud, and maybe add a few drops of dish detergent.

4. 
   excaliber32 | Jan 30, 2010 11:48am | #4

   Wetting the tape is a good technique, the tape sits much tighter to the joint and is easier to smooth, HOWEVER, you don't get near as many passes with your knife and you can't press as hard. You will scrape off layers of the tape and get boogers! Keep this in mind, and you will get great results with a bucket of water handy!

1. 
   jimcap | Jan 30, 2010 12:12pm | #5

   Thanks much for the comments.

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 30, 2010 03:11pm | #6

   if you wanna get good at taping do it the right way without wetting the tape and practice practice practice.

   It's just like anything else.

5. 
   Piffin | Jan 30, 2010 05:00pm | #7

   Dips, DIYs, and others who have not learned taping technique sometimes waste their time wetting the tape instead of practicing and learning to mix the mud and use it right.

   If you need to dip the tape, the mud is too dry and stiff and just applying it is wearing you out.

1. 
   excaliber32 | Jan 30, 2010 06:10pm | #8

   One of the best pro finishers I've known occasionaly dipped tape on difficult joints. If it works it works.

6. 
   JeffyT | Jan 30, 2010 10:07pm | #9

   if you feel like you should be wetting the tape then your mud's too thick.

   then it becomes like doing aerobics - extra effort just for the fun of it.

   some people like aerobics ... who am i to say.

   j