SPACKLE Vs. DRYWALL MUD/JOINT COMPOUND (What's the Difference? When Should You Use Them?!)

[@JL-ze5qm]

I've been studying how to do various diy jobs around the house and was getting so confused because there are so many different words for the same materials and also slightly different materials. Mud, joint compound, spackling, plaster, sheetrock, drywall....aaaaahhhh! Came here to say how appreciative I am of this video. It was so very helpful and well-written. I need things explained to me like I'm five, but without the sarcasm and belittlement, which you've done very tastefully. Thank you!

[@ronthompson310]

This video should be used as an example of how to do an informational video. Really great stuff.

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Note that hot mud has to be mixed with water, and instead of slowly drying like joint compound, it sets via a chemical reaction with water. It is much stronger than joint compound, but is harder to sand. It comes with setting times of 5 to 90 minutes.

[@trainraider8]

Those are the working times, 5-90 minutes. Setting time is a little more than double the working time. And drying time is still about 24 hours, and it needs to be dry, not just set, before painting. You can start wet sanding and feathering with a big yellow polyurethane sponge around the set time though and then do the next coat if it needs it.

[@macsloan58]

Very good. When you noted that spackle is essentially for smaller repairs, that was paramount. I have done a lot of repairs of plaster and drywall over the past 45 years or so. I am a DYI-er, but would like to think that I have above DYI skills. Maybe not by much, but a little. I worked for a painting contractor during my college years and the first few summers after college. He taught me quite a bit. Your video is quite timely as I am going to patch some holes in my son’s basement way. As it has been a couple years since my last efforts, I was pondering which product to use. Now…..I don’t have to think too much. I will just do as you instruct/suggest. Thank you.

[@neomacchio4692]

Plastic nails is by far the best for small holes. Dries like wood. Sherwin Williams shrink free spackle is incredible!!! Doesn’t shrink per the name and is super lightweight and easy to sand. You need nothing else when patching small holes. When patching larger holes, use the California patch and lightweight mud, premixed or not. Only use ANY OTHER mud, for first or second coats, never use anything but lightweight on your third coat or you’ll be cursing as you sand. Thank me later.

[@drkennethnoisewater4469]

I never comment on DIY stuff. This video was EXCELLENT. TO THE POINT!!! Thank you!!!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Kenneth! 😄

[@mindytaylor1716]

....being single has its disadvantages not knowing how to fix things is one but with the help of your videos this probably will save me lots of money major headaches and time thank you appreciated

[@delluser4936]

You look like you should host your own show on carpentry / home repair products. This was helpful -- no one at lowes or home depot would iron it out clearly in that aisle of all the drywall products like you just did. Thank you.

[@neomacchio4692]

I suggest compressing those damages in the wall with the back of your knife first… you have to create a divot first, then fill. That way you don’t have the paper showing through.

[@dangrimes5078]

That is good advice. Ask me how I know 😢

[@chelin7023]

Thank you for making it so simple and easy to follow; with so many products and versions of how to use them, becomes very confusing! This is really, all I need to know for my homeowner’s needs! Great video!

[@GeorgeCostanza_]

This is the most informative video I’ve seen after watching multiple on this topic. Based on the information you provided, I have decided I will be purchasing lightweight spackle

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Glad it helps, George! I always keep a tub of lightweight spackle 🙂

[@markdantuono]

First time mounting a TV hiding the wires, but I wanted to do as much research I can before digging in ny drywall. I’ve came to accept that ima have to make another hole to get through the horizontal fire beam thing. I was gonna buy that mud thankfully you put me into the spackle. Highly appreciate it

[@AppalachianLife]

Vinyl spackle works great on wood. I like it better than wood filler for nail holes and seems in wood or plywood that is going to be painted. I've tried many brands and I think Sherwin Williams is the best.

[@maddyhansen2235]

He did such a great job of describing, then summarized! Thank you for helping a Mom trying to fix her house on a budget.

[@brandonbell5357]

Find you a sugar daddy

[@serbotech]

Once again, the Honest Carpenter told me everything that I needed to know in 5 minutes! Thanks for the time saver!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

😁

[@williammead9966]

Here recently, I use the powder dry mix 45 minutes setting time for small nail holes, large patches, everything. Informative video

[@charleyboy6942]

I have a bag of quick set 45 min mud (Sheetrock 45) that I use for everything from paint prep to larger repairs or prefilling gaps. You can mix a small amount directly on a hawk or trowel, it does not shrink and some mix do not even need to be primed.

[@angellas.1314]

Yes, good idea if someone has the space to keep all the equipment needed for this process. Someone in a tiny NYC apt just can’t keep all that. So the ready made is much easier for that reason, and can be used prior to a big move, to leave the apt in good condition.

[@jayclark5912]

Old school plaster and lath is surprisingly easy to repair. Even larges sections cut for repairs. Replace lath, smush in a coat through thet lath to lock in in. Then after it dries a fisish to fill and level it. It looks a lot better than any sheetrock repair I could do.

[@radondar9230]

FYI The "Easy Sand" is the go-to for me for any drywall repair. It dries based on the number. So "Easy Sand 5" - will dry in 5 minutes - very little working time before it hardens on you. I use Easy Sand 45, it will allow you to patch big and small. With the short dry time, it will allow you to sand in between coats and you can make different consistency mud for different coats. Depending on time frame you could patch and paint all in the same day without issues.

[@diverdave4056]

I mix it up using a cake beater in a small pail = faster mixing and allows you to apply it fast before it dries out

[@ericschmidt7351]

Thank you! Was just scratching my head in HD today about these exact choices. This cleared up my question perfectly.

[@zamorabora]

Perfect! I repaired some larger holes with joint compound and said "why not these little nail holes and dents while I'm here?" . But it shrank so much, the nail holes still look like nail holes. I'll hit them with lightweight spackle tomorrow because I'm eager to this wall repainted.

[@gregbell5576]

Great video. Simple organized and to the point

[@jayson3900]

Excellent video as always! Had this been published about a week ago I would've shown this video to the homeowner of the house I'm currently painting to better explain to them why I was using hot mud to fix some of the holes in their walls instead of spackling because I'm not always that great at explaining things to people, especially when they've exacerbated me. 😅

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I’ve don’t tons of hot mud patches too, Jay! Philip is insanely at good at them 😄

[@monkeygraborange]

If you live to be 100 you can never explain things like this to people who don’t walk the walk, or actually care about learning. I just tell clients what I’m gonna do, and if they ask why, the answer is always “...because that’s how it’s done.” Never a problem after that!

[@u1zha]

@@monkeygraborange Well I mean... How do you tell which people asking do actually care about learning and which don't? I like Jay Son's approacy better, assume they do care unless they prove otherwise

[@gr8dvd]

@@u1zha 💯 only reason such a simple question is not answered by a ‘pro’… they don’t know, or are too insecure in their knowledge/skills and take the question personally.

[@lynnpritt4253]

Thank you so much! You showed how to use it, which one is best for which job, AND how the containers and contents inside look and different ways to buy it. I NEEDED this video so bad. You answered my questions no one else could answer for me.

[@philg406]

Good, easy to follow explanations on each variety. I didn't know the difference between lightweight spackle and normal spackle. I'll look for lightweight spackle next time and use that instead of normal spackle... Thanks again Ethan 👍

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Lightweight for the win, Phil! 😄

[@gregtowle8830]

@@TheHonestCarpenter we used hamiletons back in the mid 1970s Red for taping dot green dot for topping and skimming . Red dot did not seem to shrink as much

[@Lew114]

Thank you. Things like this are simple and obvious to pros but terribly confusing to a beginning DIYer. Walking down the aisle at the home store and seeing the dizzying array of products is enough to scare a lot of people off a project. Or lead them to just guess at what they need make the project harder.

[@woody3590]

its a dog eat dog world out there!

[@poladelarosa8399]

Clear & easy tutorial.

[@NottyGurlStyle]

I would have been confused for sure.. I would like to make little repairs without having to ask my husband to help me. Thank you soo much for this!!

[@johnberry1107]

Nice descriptions. Thank you. I have almost exclusively replaced my use of spackle with Plastic Wood. Whoa. Mix some acetone in there for a finish coat and I like it a lot. Stay safe.

[@Rockin_Ross]

I cut my drywall teeth last summer with an honest carpenter who used the green lid compound. Taught me a lot of great tricks using it and how to texture. I’ve been using the purple lid spackle for a good while and found I like the joint mud better. Just a personal preference. Great video!

[@dennisbishop3842]

I'm old enough to have figured this out on my own, but I wish I had been able watch this 20 years ago!

[@benjaminziegler7437]

What you fail to differentiate is the difference in bucket mud vs dry powder compound. The dry stuff will virtually not shrink and it will not crack when applied in large have amounts, it is more related to plaster than joint compound. Bucket mud has more adhesives and is premixed and shrinks a lot. So for tiny repairs dry bagged mud is perfectly fine and will not shrink, plus it stores for a very long time, much longer than a little pale of spackle paste, and cost probably the same or less.

[@frontagulus]

He didn't fail - he wasn't intending to discuss the difference between bucket mud and powder. Pay attention before posting....

[@benjaminziegler7437]

@@frontagulus nope, you're wrong. 15 people agree with my original comment. Just stop trying to be a tough guy. Try again

[@Just.A.T-Rex]

The best I’ve found is the 3m patch plus primer over any Drydex product for simple DIYer patching

[@victorsvitilla9064]

I use light weight spackle to do a whole room it's great for DIY since it's easier to spread and frather

[@PoppyDog]

The most useful 101 video ever made on this topic! This has been such a confusing issue for me - thank you for clearing it up.

[@chrisheywood7376]

Also worth noting that spackle contains adhesive so it dries very hard. This means it works better when patching painted surfaces, but it will create a different finish when patching unpainted plaster, just just be aware

[@cattigereyes1]

I had a glass panel door window pane broken, went to the local hardware real hardware had them cut glass panes to size and used wood filler and repaired it to normal.

[@itzstone]

I just used sheetrock90 to repair small holes and honestly didnt see a difference between spackle and mud, other than the drying time. Biggest difference was price vs volume.

[@pleappleappleap]

Sometimes, if the paper is damaged, you can use oil-based primer before you spackle or mud. The mud will stick to the primer.

[@rrichard5515]

Excellent video, short, to the point and very helpful.

[@stopherharrison3059]

Concise and accurate. The way videos should be!

[@donaldsincennes9673]

Great video! Friendly tips! I like to prime certain surfaces before applying mud! The reason for this is the mud you are using will adhere a lot better! Professional/expert painter in Canada Cheers! The gooseneck guy! Don

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Good tip, Don! Thanks 🙂

[@donaldsincennes9673]

@@TheHonestCarpenter We all learn something from each other! I am a self taught professional/expert painter decorator in Canada! Also the inventor of the Richard/Hyde gooseneck flexible paint brush extension. If you get a chance it would be very much appreciated to see a educational video on this unique 3 in 1 paint brush to painters carpenters and DIYs Cheers!

[@TheElectricMayhem]

I was literally filling holes today and this question came up cause I was holding both products in my hands as I’d pulled them out of my “repair” box. I chose wrong cause I didn’t watch that video. You better believe I smashed that notification button.

[@milesharlan1]

Thank You Ethan!! I use the patch & paint lightweight for patching holes on wood trim. Drys quick & can recoat quickly & then paint. Keep up the good work!!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, miles-great advice!

[@Just.A.T-Rex]

Try the 3m patch plus primer higher quality product

[@DCgamer723]

I like the fact that this is so different than every other "pro" saying to never use spackle only use sheet rock 45 or other types of mud. Although it has its use, most people don't need it. Thank you, also, still working through all your horror movie recommendations, at was the ones I can stream.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Dan! I’m glad you share my and Steve’s love of horror movies 🍿 😆🎃

[@7percentSolution]

You'll have to post the horror movie recommendations some time!

[@ytsux9259]

I use the spackle at the dollar stores and it works ok. LOL

[@66block84]

I put a lot of holes in sheetrock installing business phone systems. Always made sure where the studs were, metal or wood, then would ask the customer if they were sure they wanted their wall phone "there". When they said yes, I would pop a hole with my hammer, the customer was usually shocked, but I reassured them the phone & it's wall bracket / mounting plate would cover the hole and all was good.

[@roboticusroboticus7912]

I just started using lightweight spackle. Thank you for your info. Good stuff!

[@safetyladysilver8988]

From the UK and I'm really struggling with translating these into UK English. I know what we call plasterboard you call drywall. But from that point on, no idea. We have (lightweight) filler for small holes etc. Can be premixed or powder. There are heavier duty fillers such as Toupret, more resilient used for filling holes in wood, but not epoxy. In UK we skimcoat the whole of a plasterboarded wall or ceiling, over tape which is only used for adding strength to certain joints, not sure we even have a 'mud' equivalent. Looks like runny plaster to me, although our plaster is pink. When I say WE I mean trades, I am just a DIYer and observer of experts.

[@kenbrown2808]

actually, plasterboard may not be equal to drywall. our sheetrock mud does not chemically cure like plaster does - it simply dries. our "hot mud" does have a chemical cure, but still does not have the hardness of plaster. so think of our sheetrock mud almost like a literal mud coating, and you will have the idea.

[@todda2888]

$8.76 for the Alex plus spackling in the video .....now just under $15...thanks inflation!

[@janoycresnova9156]

Thanks Biden!

[@Cabledeluz1977]

I found your YT videos a few weeks ago! They’ve been extremely helpful! Thank you so much!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks for watching, Fraggle! 😄

[@cltinturkey]

Great video! Your information and expertise are so helpful to us DIYers. My 75-year old house and I think you're the bomb!

[@emmajars58]

Thank you!!!! I’m a renter so yeah :)

[@colinpovey2904]

Superb. Enough information, well presented, nad not drawn out to 10-15 minutes like so many today, could not be much better.

[@OBM21]

Very clear and concise. You answered all the questions I had!

[@jimyoung273]

I always wondered about the difference. Great video, thanks so much!

[@GregPaxson]

Thank you. Very helpful. I'm an experience finish carpenter trying my hand at some large mud jobs. Good explanation though I've always been confused by all the different products you find at the Depot. Thank you.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Glad it helped, Greg! Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@Print-Productivity]

Wow, I did not know that! I punctured a giant hole in my drywall 😀😃😅😂. Always wanted to know, just was lazy to search it up. I love the way you explain, it is so easy to understand. How about a video about sandpaper or torque applications by hand! Have a wonderful and awesome day 😎😀😀😀😀😀😀😀!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Ziyad! I definitely want to cover sanding soon 😄

[@jayson3900]

@@TheHonestCarpenter I will be looking forward to that video so I can use it for reference on future jobs with homeowners that have watched one too many DIY shows and still didn't learn anything! 😅

[@coryjohnson3429]

I used a light weight spackle to fill small nail holes and bullnose corner damage around the house. When you look straight at the repairs after I painted them, you can't tell where they are but when the light reflects off the walls you can see every one of them. I used paint left from the previous homeowner which may be as much as ten years old. I wonder what I did wrong. Seems like the spackle is too porous and keeps soaking up the paint and dries flatter than the rest of the areas around the repairs I attempted to blend in. I ruined the whole house😭

[@willie90210]

I always appreciate your videos. Today, I have a question for you: How do you avoid mold inside your spackling paste container?

[@grepora]

I have rental properties. Tenants love to use walls for bulletin boards and put hundreds (no exaggeration) of pin holes in walls. I found light weight spackling works best to fill them. I keep a small hand sized tub. After dipping my finger in the spackling, I apply it to the hole. Then wipe the area with another finger. The hole disappears (if the walls are painted white).

[@lisakayy8675]

Thank you so much! This is just what I needed!

[@neilm7902]

Your friend Phil Lomachio looks like Hawk, from the Road Warriors wrestling team.

[@McP1mpin]

Ive been using standard spackle my whole life but recently switched to lightweight spackle because I thought it was superior. It was an absolute disaster. I wouldn't use it for anything bigger than a nail hole. When I went to go sand it it was coming off in chunks. It was still wet and pliable weeks later. I have no idea what happened but I had to remove it all and much of the drywall paper too. Now I have to seal it all and use regular spackle again.

[@jasonb7394]

Dude! I tried lightweight spackle once and it was awful. It wouldn’t stick in the hole. It was rolling around the wall in a wad under the knife. Crumbling onto the floor too…

[@mattwarrensocal]

Pro tip. Haven’t used spackle for years. Joint compound only. Never regretted

[@kmad2835]

Thank you for explaining the difference in products.

[@paulsccna2964]

Perfect. Easy to understand. Thanks. (some other videos, are driving me crazy explaining this...)

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

I've use the Normal Spackle on Ceiling Holes before since it's cheaper & you get a lot of it, the problem is it doesn't dry as quickly & if you get it on your clothes it doesn't come out.👨🏾‍🔧

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I’ve noticed that it does stick in your clothes a little worse, W. I think that’s the more adhesive elements in it 👍

[@jayson3900]

You can use nail polish remover to help clean it off of your clothes. 😉😎

[@jbwjr54]

Always great info!

[@chrisnash2154]

Great video. I have a suggestion. BACKSPLASH. What it is. How to remove. How to prep. How to apply. How to seal.

[@dominiqueraymond2174]

Thank you!

[@Anna-ww4pv]

Wow. I think I sparkled my entire wall. It was pink and I found I had to work fast. Almost to fast. Im switching to joint compound or I guess a combination of both.

[@tedpenn]

Fantastic breakdown!

[@Martin-Young]

Great video Ethan! Very clear and cut! Keep up the great work!!!

[@alrom9913]

Thank You for the Info now I know what to use for different types of applications

[@glg3945]

Love your explanations! Thank you. Peace and good fortune and good health to you and your family. ❤

[@donovanschannel9864]

Thank u so much for posting this. It made it so easy to understand

[@emiliaescobar7652]

Another great video, Love the T Shirt!!

[@thepopeofkeke]

At this point I am pretty sure all these dry wall guys are wizards and this is some type of Home Depot sorcery.

[@stevejohnson1321]

I've found that drywall compound stores longer, which is why I stopped buying spackle. That may vary by brand. I only patch up around the house, so I don't mind re-coating if I need to.

[@ibrocn]

Super helpful! I've wondered when to use which product. Clearly I need to get some lightweight spackle. Thank you!

[@icantdance6813]

Thank you for explaining a lot of my new homeowner questions. I bought a new home from a cheap builder (LGI HOMES) it’s 2 years old and they cut corners and made a lot of mistakes. I’m having to repair water damaged exterior door frames already. There are a ton of wall/ceiling cracks they came in and caulked. Floors that won’t stay down. Cold air coming in through electrical outlets. Gaps and holes in the exterior caulking around doors and windows and who knows what else I haven’t found yet. Your videos help.

[@SolitaryMaverick]

Most new homes are built cheap by hackers.

[@ivyrose779]

That’s so frustrating! Hope things are going better.

[@ROACHRAGE2]

You mentioned the fast dry powdered mud but didn't say anything about it's properties. I regularly have to repair bigger holes, such as those left by a door knob slammed into a wall, or places where a plumbing repair needed to be made. I use the 20 minute stuff because it sets before it dries, so it doesn't shrink. This means I don't need as many layers, though I still need to let it dry between coats.

[@judya4264]

Great instructional video. Thank you. I subscribed after seeing this video.😊 I finally understand the differences between the types of spackle and mud. Now I'm trying to figure out if I can reinsert a drywall hanger in the dried spackle.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Judy! Unfortunately the hanger prob won’t hold-you might have to jump a few inches over!

[@chewmanfoo]

I had to remove some tiles in a bathroom - the backing is concrete board and it's still pristine. I'm wondering if I can fill in the p[laces where the tiles were with something like plaster, or spackle, or joint compound? I'd just mix it thick, trowel it in, then smooth it with a sponge. The holes are small, less than 2". What say ye?

[@Tan8Nguyen]

Thanks man . Lightweight Spackle FTW .

[@coreyghayes]

Another practical and concise educational video. Thanks, THC.

[@srharris88]

People with textured walls, dont use a putty knife to fill your holes! As a painting contractor, I see people do this all the time. It flattens out your texture, which would need sanding, and a texture to repair. Fill the hole ONLY, not the area around it. Use a small amount on the tip of your finger and push the spackle/caulking into the hole. Use a wet rag to wipe around the edges leaving the hole filled slightly higher, to account for shrinkage. For bigger holes, you'll probably want a knife. But smaller nail/screw holes, KEEP IT SMALL!

[@drmike420]

You know how to explain bro respect

[@julianosanm]

Best video out there. Thanks

[@shawnbush41]

Thanks! Very clear and easy to understand.

[@lepadus7926]

Simple and to the point. Thx!

[@golfnutt8]

Just attempted to put a second coat of mud over what the construction workers did in my garage and I can tell you mine doesn't look anywhere near what your video image looks like, lol. The second layer of mud and skim coating IS HARD!

[@jackt6112]

Perfect! Exactly what I needed to know.

[@Ja-chevy]

Great video. Just what I needed!

[@chimeexpress8603]

Very good! Thanks! Very well explained. I needed that! 😁

[@yvonnehuth8561]

I can't find the ready joint compound in small tub so i was wondering what can i use to make plaster of paris stick to wood. Just for crafts not walls.

[@galactic904]

Thanks for the tips. Lightweight Spackle, hmm, i gotta try that sometime.

[@jessekahler9355]

Thank you!

[@markfox6596]

Thanks man.. Straight forward.

[@Hotsauce-cj7kj]

Thanks brother. Just subscribed. Great channel so far man!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks for subscribing, hotsauce!

[@johnlennon1049]

Great information. Thanks