Tech Tip: DIY drywall tape and bed

[1320stang]

https://goo.io/nJwYmJ

I just saw an older post where a guy was building a 34x50 shop (I think) and he was talking about how sanding the drywall sucked. I learned a technique a while back about using a damp sponge instead of sanding. You have to have a pretty good surface to begin with, but it works great. Doing drywall mud is sort of like doing body work, people get impatient. You don't want to work the mud a lot, a pass or two is fine, then let it dry. The sponge technique takes out the little bubbles pretty good. I typically make a couple passes at it and let it go. If there is any sqeeze out on the edge, leave it, once it's dry, the knife will take it off in a chunk. If there are any raise lines, hit them with the knife then put a second coat on and let it dry. Then using a bucket and a big firm sponge, go over it. It sorta 'melts' the surface and smears it around. You can put too much water on and you can work it too much, it takes a bit of practice, but it works a bunch easier if you don't want dust.

 

[Luke73]

My dad has done it that way for years. I started doing a while ago. Takes some practice to get it right, but a lot better than dust.

 

[NOMAD]

Just learned that handy trick while doing all the ceilings in my house. We scraped all the "popcorn" off and touched up. WOW, that little tip was a back-saver.

 

[1320stang]

Popcorn tip: If it has never been painted over, use a garden pump sprayer with water and lightly spray the popcorn. Wait a little bit and hit it with a drywall knife. It'll all come off, maybe leave a very slight looking knock down texture. If you put on too much water, it'll soak into the paper of the drywall. This method also doesn't make any dust, you can put plastic down and a painters tarp over it and not make a huge mess in the house. The reason for the plastic and the tarp, you roll the tarp up and haul it out, most plastic won't hold the weight, plus your stepping on the plastic with your dirty shoes after rolling up the tarp.

 

[NOMAD]

That's what I did to get it off. After the initial scrape it will leave the texture as mentioned. Be patient let the drywall paper dry) and hit it with one more light spray and the rest will come off leaving the drywall smooth as day 1.

The entire downstairs was painted over at the house we bought! Argh! It is about 100 times harder and that really wore me out, especially the vaulted ceiling.

 

[D-Cal]

Re removing popcorn: Make sure it doesn't have asbestos first...

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/popcornoff.shtm