Drywall Joint Compounds Part 2 - Drywall Instruction

[@John-zh6ld]

Used the lite for the first time, green lid, and worked nicely. Also used it on 2 knockdown texture jobs immediately following drywall job. Came out great. Customers loved it.

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Sweet! Success is what we're looking for!

[@nicksorenson7578]

Ultralight actually holds tape very well. So it may or may not have less glue. It is in fact much easier to sand than All Purpose.

[@tszymk77]

I couldn't find topping compound too, thank you so much for your professional info!

[@jr6381]

thanks so much for this video. I was one of those guys looking for topping. But i did see the lite brands you made reference to.

[@drywallinstruction1766]

You're welcome JR! Good luck to you on your projects! Check out our progress @ Drywallinstruction.com

[@frankpyon2115]

It is very helpful to select the right kind of topping for my little drywall project.

[@mikedavidson7470]

thanks, I had a hard time finding topping too,

[@guywebster8018]

Thank you bro. Ive seen this ultra lightweight recently and wondered the difference. Alot of these big outfits are only using that in all steps. Bangs up real easily. These guys come over the border and pick these trades up being taught by guys who picked it up. I had my trade passed down generations so I was taught right.. We are a dying breed my friend

[@thomasseibold4055]

Thanks for this postcript to your original video on compounds. What mud to use is truly one of the most confusing, least-standardized areas of DIY I've seen. In our area, USG Sheetrock branded products include All-Purpose, Dust Control, Plus 3, Ultra Lightweight, and Topping (in addition to a variety of minute-specified powders branded as "Easy Sand"). Interestingly, the Dust Control and Plus 3 both claim "Sands with the ease of a topping compound," while Ultra Lightweight claims to be for "all drywall finishing steps." My question: Should I spring for the USG product named "Topping" for my finish coat(s), or use the "Dust Control" I already bought for an earlier project? My project is not large (a bathroom), and I doubt I'll use up much of the 3.5 lbs. of topping in the smallest box available. On the other hand, it's just ten bucks, and if it'll make my job easier, why not?

[@drywallinstruction1766]

I have never used the "Dust Control" product but Plus 3 is a softer product that sands great!

[@larsdahl6594]

Would you use USG Ultra Lightweight for a skim coat vs their regular all-purpose mud?

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Yes I would.

[@Joe-bm4wx]

In my area you can only find topping but ultralight is impossible to find

[@oxee2188]

I love all you videos that have helped me a lot. I have not seen a video on your channel where you talk about mixing topping with water to thin it out like you do with all purpose mud. Do you use topping straight out of the container or should you mix it to a certain consistency?

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Topping can vary in consistency depending on the time of year and the manufacturer. When taping by hand, the only time I would thin topping is if it's very thick or dry and that is extremely rare. When you thin topping it causes more shrinkage which results in more coats. Hope this helps and I'm glad the videos have helped! Check out our progress at Drywallinstruction.com!

[@rksg2003]

Drywall Instruction does topping need to be stirred before applying even if not adding water before?

[@chocolatepuddingpant]

I'm run a festool planex.. I think u get less scratches with all purpose

[@davidgrza]

Can you use topping to skim coat a wall?

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Absolutely.

[@steven361984]

Thank you nice video!!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Most sandable also means softest, which is to say the easiest to scratch. Unless you are top coating with a pre-cat water-based paint which dries very hard, I wouldn't want that finish in my house. The lightest I'd go is the mid-weight, but I have a Mirka palm sander and shop vac, so sanding full weight compounds is easy. Also, if applied correctly, there isn't a whole lot of sanding, as I'm sure you guys do. In my mind, lightweight muds are for DIY guys. The only thing I use them for are to patch screw holes because the shrinkage is less, so we can get away with only two coats on the screws instead of the traditional three. In your experience, which brand shrinks the least?

[@drywallinstruction1766]

I've heard your "easiest to scratch" perspective before. I reiterate that I've seen no evidence that lightweight muds scratch easier once painted than regular muds do. Because I've found that to be the case I don't see any downside to making the sanding job (however small it may be) easier by using lightweight muds. I definitely don't see palm sanders used very often in production drywall. As far as shrinkage, old school Topping definitely shrinks less than All-Purpose mud. I haven't tested the lightweight muds against All-Purpose but I would definitely assume that they shrink less just because "Lightweight All-Purpose" muds are so similar to Topping. As part of my project I have been checking out drywall taping projects as often as possible and I can tell you that the lightweight muds are used across the board. Either they're all "DIY guys" or it's a legitimate product, I'm guessing the latter. Lastly, let me reiterate that often people have differing opinions and I respect them all!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

You might be right, once painted it might be okay, though I've never tested it. But it is annoying when you are just wiping the wall down and it scratches. As for the Mirka palm sander shop-vac unit, it's the best kept secret in drywall. It's an import and a bit pricey, but every guy that's seen me use it and trys it buys one and can't believe they ever used a pole sander. Check it out. Huge timesaver, not to mention backsaver.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Mitch Wilcox In your experience, which lightweight drywall mud shrinks the less. I use it on my screw holes, and I found that the USG ultra lightweight still shrinks a good bit. I have had good luck with a product called Rapid Coat.

[@drywallinstruction1766]

I really haven't done side by side testing and haven't had a problem with any of them. I'm using a USG/Beadex lite topping right now that I like. Remember that products definitely vary from one area to another.

[@chocolatepuddingpant]

Drywall Instruction I run a festool planex much less scratching with green lid all purpose, compared to the blue lid light weight or yellowish green lid light weight

[@2502860]

What the advantages of ultra vs plus 3. What do you use them for

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Easier sanding, less shrinkage.

[@2502860]

@@drywallinstruction1766 can u also add same thickness on both without seeing cracks or it has to be only skim coats

[@drywallinstruction1766]

@@2502860 Cracking only happens when drying if the mud was applied too thick. See the videos that describes the coating process.

[@turboflush]

I ran into this exact problem. the boxes don't really describe the differences well. they all sound the same. even the light.. says "taping compound"

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Lite taping is definitely going to be harder to sand than ultra-lite all-purpose, just an FYI.

[@turboflush]

I bought a dozen general joint compound for a large DIY project. I have noticed some seem to not apply as well. I would add water but still not the same as a good batch. is there a way to tell if it will be good? definitely good mixing of the bucket is important. and periodically (if your slower like me). also.. comments on adding soap? I would think chemically.. this would be bad for adhesion.

[@drywallinstruction1766]

You rarely run into bad mud if you're using the "common" manufacturers, i.e. USG, Beadex, CGC, Hamilton-Westpac, etc..

[@drywallinstruction1766]

The soap idea has been mentioned several times, I've never used it, the painters claim it creates an adhesion problem but I'm not sure of that.

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

what part of d country do u live in

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Oregon

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

Drywall Instruction are u n portland or beaverton

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

Drywall Instruction readin i ask i work n d paint dept of a very big business in portland and they are hiring a painter .just saying if ur interested i can give u my number tnks

[@drywallinstruction1766]

Thanks for thinking of me. I just do drywall repair at this point and am in Central Oregon.

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

Drywall Instruction ok it at o h s u were hiring one more painter mud guy i expect job.will be on d web site for a few weeks

[@danhotchkiss8699]

Thanks

[@bjohn3798]

thanks very helpful

[@drywallinstruction1766]

You're welcome, I'm glad you found it helpful!