I used to think taping a corner was just about getting mud in there

For years, I'd slap on a thick coat, fold my tape, and hope for the best. The results were okay, but I'd always have to do a ton of sanding to fix little bubbles or ridges. Then, about six months ago, I was helping a friend redo his garage in Springfield and saw him use this old metal corner trowel I'd never bothered with. He pressed the tape in with it, really working it from the center out, and used almost no mud. I tried it on the next corner, and it was like night and day. The tape laid flat with no air, and the finish coat went on so smooth. I mean, it added maybe two minutes per corner, but it saved me at least fifteen minutes of sanding later. Now that little trowel is the first thing I grab. Anyone have a different corner trick that saves them time?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy36d ago

Honestly, I just can't get on board with adding more tools. My trick is to thin the mud down a bit more with water before I even touch the tape. It goes on slick and pushes out the air without needing a special trowel. I find keeping my mix right saves more time than fetching another tool.

miller.paul6d ago

But @nancy3, the right tool can save your back on big jobs.