Taping Drywall for Beginners Day 1

Everything you need to know to tackle your first drywall taping job!
00:00 Types of joints
00:56 Preparing the drywall
03:32 Mesh tape vs paper tape
05:04 Pre-filling the joints
10:44 Taping mud
11:46 Taping butt joints
13:20 Taping flat joints
15:09 Taping inside corners
17:43 A faster way to tape corners
19:24 Installing corner beads
24:23 Coating screws
DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I make a small commission from purchases made through these links. Thanks for the support!!!
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[@cindicarter483]

Watching you on your channel gave me the courage to skim coat my whole house… hated the textured walls. Then I went on to fixing a crack in my ceiling drywall. Success! You are truly a teacher! Thank you!

[@lespaul36]

If not for this guy and one other (also Canadian) i would have hired people. I had to cut open walls to do my old trade (electrical and telecom\datacom). Cutting a lot of walls open to do my original intent. My first couple of [atches were dogs**t. After watching many vids, I am pretty proud of my patches. I cannot texture for crap though LOL.

[@jovandelacruz7072]

@@lespaul36 watching ben from skate videos to this is probably one of my greatest experience. from learning crooked grinds to learning how to skimcoat my own house. i learned it all from ben

[@mybleachhouse]

I did the same thing haha. I had rooms that had actual cement stucco in them and now they look sweet.

[@dominicmeehan8322]

An artist

[@paulcurevich1912]

😊

[@PeterKeefe]

Everytime I do drywall, I search for you and watch a video to refresh. Great tips and technique as always, thanks!

[@Blayzn18]

This is really helpful. Some of the simple things don't get filmed because everyone thinks "meh everyone knows" but this actually shows some of those often overlooked things. Those little things add up to a better looking job, less failure over time, and make the job so much easier when done right!

[@jimsubtle886]

I wish I would have been able to watch this video years ago. So many simple mistakes I have made in past projects. This is such a great primer of how to avoid more work in later sanding steps. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video!

[@torridice]

Been watching your vids for years, but I’m about to drywall and tape my basement so this was perfect timing. Good reminders on the basics

[@sethburkhart1021]

I’ve been watching his videos for a couple years on and off and I’ve never done drywall yet. ha ha. About to do a small repair finally. He’s a true artist!

[@Ceeflat]

Thank you for this. I have been watching your videos for a year and they got me through taping and plastering a bedroom. You make it look so easy- my side swipes are never that smooth!

[@matthewdemers9422]

This is a nice, concise video of basic drywall coating for beginners. This will definitely be useful when my wife and I finish our basement this winter!

[@kendalltechinc]

Finishing up my basement this summer. Thanks for making this basic video to taping drywall! I learned a lot and it has helped me do a better job on my remodel.

[@ClaytonBigsby5452]

Ben, I’ve been watching your videos for years. So helpful with many small projects. However, after watching your work, whenever I have a big project that involves a lot of taping, everything you’ve shown has convinced me to hire a professional. And I mean that with the utmost respect. You’re so good at what you do. Mad respect!

[@skiball83]

Im so happy you went back to the beginning. Honestly the best drywall teacher out there. My first drywall job went so smooth because of you buddy. Thanks.

[@1965JB]

I’m 65 years old, laid up with Sciatica, and this video has me wishing I had a few rooms to tape. Great video once again.

[@philipcatuogno2968]

Just showed this video to my teenage son who wants to help his old man rock a 1950s home we are renovating. The best teaching videos. Thank you. The younger generation needs more hands-on work. Cheers!

[@wadebeauchaine1297]

I've done a fair amount of sheetrock work, though not a professional, and just recently found your videos. It's good to see that I have not been too far off on how to tape joints. You make it look so easy. I have certainly learned some tips and tricks from watching. Thank you for taking the time to do these videos.

[@joeyoungs8426]

I’ve always had very good outcomes doing my own drywall work. The most significant tip I got on this channel that made life so much easier was thinning the mud when taping. Total game changer for me. Thanks VC.

[@bay9876]

I liked the video when you showed how to do arches. That was a piece of art. Thanks for the review of drywall mudding basics.

[@ChelseaFinendale]

My husband and I remodeled our entire basement and later renovated a rental property. Your videos are absolutely the best and helped us do the drywall work needed. Thank you for what you do and being a great teacher!

[@daveplenty5495]

When it's made to look easy you know you are witnessing a true professional in their field. You make it look easy, and your attention to detail in the explanation, belies the detailed extent of your knowledgeable understanding of your trade. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@ccadama]

@Vancouver Carpenter. Great work Ben and to your camera operator for putting together a well edited and explained video on the basics of drywalling. Will wait for the next chapters. Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

[@aukey3407]

Thanks for doing a 101-level taping video. I watched some of your other drywall videos a couple years ago, but I needed this one to be more successful on my DYI stuff. Good work considering your prior content and what some parts of audience may be interested in.

[@judih.8754]

Wish I knew this 50 years ago! But with time comes experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelpacini2169]

This Channel is amazing. I have been doing maintenance/construction work for all of my life but was never taught the official way of doing things. My mudding and drywall knowledge was gained through experience and this channel has really helped me tighten up my skills. I've learned the importance of using corners, what kind and where to place the drywall tape and the importance of various mudding products. This guy teaches things in a way that i never could. So if you are new and wondering if this channel is worth your times, i give an enthusiastic YES.

[@philjacksonphoto]

Dude, I'm a furniture maker / trim carpenter down here in Austin and you have helped me SO MUCH with the drywall work I'm doing in my own home. I cannot thank you enough for these videos. You rule :)

[@brianwhidden6282]

Hey man, just wanted to thank you, your videos have taken my drywall from not so great to pretty darn good. Learned tips, tricks and basics from types of mud, taping, corners, you name it, so again Thank you, from Nova Scotia.

[@misterj597]

Ben, love that we went back to the basics with this one. You’re a super pro and if you lived near me (or I you) I’d have you come fix all my house’s issues.

[@kristoftinelly]

Hey. We are currently in the middle of a huge renovation. The drywall team just finished with the ceiling, now this task is waiting for us to finish the job. This is the most informative video I could dream of! Huge thanks for the step-by-step guide! Greetings from Hungary! 😊

[@monicakanoa-fleming2846]

Oh man! I have watched a lot of drywall videos and I have never had it explained like you! You definitely are a teacher and should continue these videos!! Thank you! I feel like I have been to a drywall course!

[@ds61821]

I'll revisit all of these this summer when I finally get back to the bathroom remodel. I bought a non-squeaky bench at Menards that has served me well during demolition and ventilation fan installation. I like the way you teach.

[@DrywallSolutions1970]

I am glad to see you making videos to help out the DIY drywaller. Everyone has to start somewhere and good instructional videos make it easier to get started.

[@kimolee8358]

You are an excellent instructor! Very clear and concise. No over explaining. Great techniques Very helpful and much appreciated. I went out and bought a hawk and trowel today and tried them because of this video. Still getting used to them but liking using them in addition to my various knives. Didn't know about that prep step, e.g., chamfering butt edges, filling big gaps.Thanks!

[@a.m.8337]

I have watched alot of other channels about taping drywall, but your videos are by far the best I have ever seen! Keep up the good work!

[@DD-ur2iq]

I watch a lot of content on KZbin University and I gotta say this is one of the BEST teachers I've seen ever regardless of content. The Vancouver Carpenter speaks very well and the video is organized. WELL DONE SIR!

[@tombauer7330]

Best basic taping video I've seen. We had water damaged sheet rock in a closet from an overhead HVAC air handler that froze up over a clogged drain pan. Tore out all of the sheet rock as we are in Florida and mold is an issue. Dried the wood over 3 weeks and now am taping the new sheet rock. I have the tools but not the talent. Thanks for doing this video! It was a great help.

[@johnschutt9187]

Thank you. I've done a fair amount of drywalling in the past as a homeowner. You've made me a better drywall finisher.

[@jhalleck]

Great video. Reinforcing basic tricks, tips and techniques are a very helpful refresher. 👍

[@i_heart_dollhouses7327]

Thanks for your video. I skimmed coated my previous house to get rid of the corners but now that I'm renovating another home I needed to learn the taping part. Your video was extremely helpful. Thank you. Julie

[@user-mn4kx5vy1g]

I just watched 4 hours straight of your videos lol. Two years doing drywall and u pretty much went over all my screw ups i do from time to time and forget! Hahaha def took notes. Hope youtube pays u good bc u really just gave me a free education. Really appreciate it ❤

[@matto8601]

It’s that time again I’m renovating another room at home and I’ve come back to watch your videos. I was pretty darn slow on the first bedroom I did but a couple years later and it still looks great! Thankyou sir I love watching your videos you’re a gifted teacher, so much great detail and you make it fun too!

[@stevezissou6655]

I'm a framer and I now have alot more appreciation for your craft. thankyou.

[@attilatech]

Awesome work and great teaching. Clear instructions and demonstration at the same time. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@NWSanta]

Thank you for all your great drywall videos. It's been awhile since i've done drywalling and I'm about to finish our basement. Thank you for all your great videos!

[@lowwwery]

I was just looking for a good taping video yesterday for my first foray into taping and had to settle for non-VC content. After a pathetic first attempt, this video shows up! VC works in mysterious ways.

[@mj-ls7qr8xp3n]

I love watching the finishing/taping process.

[@beyondlimitsproductions1468]

What a fantastic demonstration on how to do a really accurate and thorough job on installing corner bead. Great job !!!!

[@marcuscicero9587]

pretty physical activity, but not nearly so rough as frame carpentry. always had a fascination with the tapers when I was a young guy bangin nails. at 68 taping is what I enjoy now. rarely do big jobs. no production tools but I do power sand. I watch this man closely he is excellent. a treasure trove of tips

[@mj-ls7qr8xp3n]

Day 1? Long way to go. Learning..... -) Thanks for the video!!

[@joshdillingham1598]

Couldn't have been a better time for this series to come out as I get ready to tape my new house!

[@robs_cabinet_painting_remodel]

I love how easily you explained your applications methods! Great content

[@mattski1979]

My friend who was insane at taping would one at a time screw hole mud them so he could remember that there was only the first coat. If there was a line then you knew it was second or third coat. You run jobs you have a lot of stuff going on in your head. It seemed helpful to do. I like your videos. I live in textured coated heaven because apparently people in the Portland, OR area aren't gifted or all that interested in mudding walls correctly. Your work looks sweet. Thank you for the lesson.

[@pound6599]

I love seeing videos when they are new. Nothing worse than seeing video for the first time when it is seven years old. Just began watching it, but I am sure the content will be great. Thanks!

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thank you!

[@mujthiru3223]

This video series has been invaluable to me, never taped and jointed before, and wouldn't have been able to get anywhere near a half-decent finish without them. I ended up watching a whole load of Vancouver Carpenter's other videos, and the amount of quality content packed in is very impressive. Thanks very much, please keep doing what you do

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thank you soooo much!!!!

[@RagnaRockerX7]

Kinda the Bob Ross of Sheetrocking instruction. Love the unassuming decency which is such a virtuous characteristic of many Canadians.

[@johnbutterfield3898]

Your videos are very informative! You have showed me a lot of methods that will make my next drywall shop go a lot easier! A million thanks for your priceless advice!!

[@coreycannon4511]

I wish I had these videos about 8 years ago! I started finishing my basement about then and worked on it, in two goes over the next three-four years. Your videos would have made it easier, faster and better. Oh well. I still watch just in case. You never know what the future will bring. Plus it’s weirdly interesting to see what I did wrong.

[@richardgab7591]

Been production taping in new residential since 1986, mostly in Alberta. I now do repairs and service work. When taping new work I most definitely v-cut my butt joints and cut out any loose paper and prefill with concrete fill or thick taping mud. Most in my trade DO NOT do this, and it shows up later on warranty work. When people are paid by piece work without quality control by a supervisor, they often cut corners and leave problems for the painters. You do a good job of explaining the basics, and could teach apprentice tapers how to do it right.

[@luisgovea7921]

Awesome video man your videos have helped me finish drywall and to stay busy in the company I work for when others aren't so thank you very very much!!!

[@Tdawg90]

more beginner videos please! this is great

[@lespaul36]

Especially texturing, right?

[@snoopcow]

I'm in 3rd week of my basement remodeling project, this is a very helpful place to be.

[@b.pazoki2580]

I like the video as it goes in-depth into all the details that a DIYer need to know for a nice result. Thank you!

[@brodie29a]

thanks to your videos my tapping skills have improved greatly, here in st. louis drywallers and tappers are 2 different trades, drywall and non paper bead is ours and tapping and mudding is the painters. thanks to side work everyone wants me to tape ; ; so i had to learn and i dont get much time to watch the tapers because im trying to stay far enough ahead of them so they have work.

[@cinnabarsin4288]

Going to be doing some repairs and patches, with hot mud and drywall on rock lath, for the first time this week. Going to be an adventure but been watching these videos for weeks (more like months) in preparation.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

I actually have gyproc lathe videos. It’s worth watching. Might save you some time.

[@bobjones7204]

Great video! Direct and to the point, but also comprehensive. Fun to watch someone skilled doing this.

[@margaretderen2082]

You make it look so easy!

[@scottleer756]

Thank you for the great video. You are a great teacher. It’s really easy to follow you and understand what you are trying to teach. Drywall muddying is not easy and you make it look easy. Thank you again!!

[@G60syncro]

Cool!! A drywall video and I'm punching holes in the dining room walls to fix some wiring issues I have... Lots of patching ahead!!!

[@als1023]

One of the best videos on the subject on KZbin ,, bar none,, hands down.

[@mikefinch5624]

Extremely helpful and non-stressful, which is key for DIYers IMO. Mudding is my least strong skill in DIY so I'm really happy to have found your channel and I'm confident that your vids are going to improve my level of comfort and skill. Thanks so much! :)

[@tyroneclarke1666]

Hi Ben. You make a fantastic drywall teacher. Always enjoy your videos. Cheers from a great southern land 👍🦘🇦🇺

[@johnd2385]

You are very talented. Both as carpenter, but also as a teacher.

[@esamottawa]

Just in time. Got a small job at my daughter's place, but I have done some really bad jobs in my own home and I don't want to mess this up. Thanks!!!

[@bayareatrucking]

New subscriber here. Man, I love how calmly you explain every step along the way. This type of work has draw me interest. Thank you for your videos.

[@firstmkb]

Just a very nice, down to earth video, without a lot of extra chatter. Well done!

[@sethsteinzor6728]

I wish I had discovered your channel before I was halfway through my bathroom remodel. I've watched a fair number of videos, and none of them came close to you for teaching quality.

[@rachaebby]

YESSSSS this video is amazing!!! More like this, loving it!

[@amycyclenut]

Excellent video Ben, thanks. All of the information in one video.

[@mortonusmc]

Solid demonstration. I need to work on getting the mud off the hawk and onto the trowel a little better, but I learned a lot today! Good tools and mixing my own mud made a huge difference. Thanks!

[@Fluxo2]

Found your channel a while back! Just wanted to thank you! I’m not drywall guy at all ! I inherited my late parents house, that me and my wife did some remodeling bathroom kitchen etc! Lots old plasterboard or old school 1970’s drywall! I had tons fixes trim drywall! Spent years fixing it to get it to sell! I learned so much watching your videos! I have become a Jedi master caulking! I never was worth a crap at caulk! But I watch and practiced your technique! My bathroom came out perfect! Just wanted to say your videos helped me and my wife tremendously on renovating my parents house! Sold it last year! Thank you my friend!

[@barbb9824]

What a great teacher! To the point, yet informative.

[@Jaredxstp]

Thanks for sharing this. Your videos are giving me confidence to tape and mud my basement. I did all the steps from a scratch basement other then the electrical work that i hired out and just finished doing sheet rock and everyone is making me nervous to tape mud

[@craigadkins4536]

Whoever is running the camera does a great job following, zooming, etc. Very professionally done.

[@peteza14]

I’m super grateful for the knowledge transfer. This video blew my mind when I first saw it.

[@4AREASON420]

Hey man thanks for all the time you have taken to do all of your vids. You gave me the nuts to do things I always paid subs to do. I have made like 10k in last 6 weeks just taking on drywall jobs. I'm actually pretty decent already. Thank you man!

[@caldwellmjc]

Thank you. Your videos help me more than any others!

[@danmiller4397]

Love your descriptions like pigeons and hitchhikers!

[@stevewhittaker5950]

Thanks, really gives me a clear understanding of the basics and more confidence.

[@brettwittmayer5342]

Super helpful as an instruction session prior to my first attempt.

[@JohnComeOnMan]

This was excellent.

[@TheDrewski88]

These videos are brilliant thank you so much for sharing!

[@Teslanews94]

OMG, what a great video for beginners !!! Thank you so much for that excellent content. Feel more confident to try this myself this week-end 😅 Cheers from France !

[@BelowAverageDIY]

"Paper mache for adults" - love it. Thanks for the detailed & informative video.

[@RobertWalsh-rf8ze]

Your videos are amazing and super helpful. Your explanations are thorough and easy to understand. I greatly appreciate the help Your videos have provided.

[@MOTSUBORE]

This channel is definitely one of my go to. Great information to learn. Thanks for getting this out there.

[@adamwberanek]

Thank you! Thorough and plenty of important small tips

[@alimo3683]

I was washing your video from uk and really learned from them. Thank you. 👍

[@hektor6766]

I rarely subscribe on a first video, but I did on this one. This guy obviously knows his business.

[@ramelharvey3300]

Thank you, this video was very helpful but I wish I saw this before I started my project. Great Video...

[@swoodward9792]

Excellent teacher. Watching as a refresher. Thank you!

[@jmac8834]

Brilliant video, thank you - just lots of information and no ego shots wasting our time! 😉 KZbin at its best.

[@bill9097]

Another fantastic video lesson Ben. Thank you! I watch all your videos, to the end, sometimes repeat and always thumbs-up! I am a remodel contractor and we do 90% of our own drywall work and I can attest to your methods and techniques. Two things I would add to this video. You wiped out all your taped seams starting in the middle of the tape and working out, then repeated the process going in the opposite direction. But you didn't say this verbally. This is a common mistake I see beginners make every time - they start at one end and try to embed the tape but end up pulling the tape, wrinkling etc. This is a big plus for beginners to learn. You did it, just didn't tell them why it's important. The second thing is applying mud to a seam with the side of a 6" knife is not a beginner skill IMO, it's advanced and takes a while to learn. Not something the average DIY'r / beginner is going to learn in the course of a DIY project. A great video with many great tips!! Thanks!

[@vancouvercarpenter]

You are correct on all points. I kind of forgot about all that stuff once I got going. Might need to do a super duper beginner video.

[@alder50]

Yes. Much appreciate the videos

[@neurodivajewelz]

REALLY great extra tips and tricks as most videos only do basics! THANK YOU!

[@troytaylor4588]

Great advice mate! That corner roller is a great tool!!