time between ddrywall taping

[i_be_moose]

Taping the seams for the Drywall installation in my ToyBox. I searched and googled but did not find the answer to my question. When taping the joints is there a maximum window of time to apply second or third coats? I know I need to allow 24 hours minimum but can you wait too long?

Tim

 

[larry4406]

Days, weeks, months....

 

[engineer2]

No maximum. I recently finished my garage which was taped in 1992. Next day is more customary. Helps to put a fan in the room for good airflow to help dry out the corners.

 

[1967mgbgt]

No maximum. I recently finished my garage which was taped in 1992. Next day is more customary. Helps to put a fan in the room for good airflow to help dry out the corners.

Add a dehumidifier and it'll dry even quicker!

 

[Git]

Typically, your store bought, pre-mix mud dries by evaporation. As noted, it is going to depend on weather conditions in your area and inside the building

On the other hand, 'Hot Mud' (comes in a powder and you mix it on site) dries by a chemical reaction (like concrete does) and comes in different formulations, anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes. It will usually harden in that time frame and can be recoated, but it still might take a day to two to fully dry, again depending on your conditions.

In any case, usually hot mud will dry before premix but it can be harder to sand, that is why they make a 'topper' type premix for the final coat or two

 

[rlitman]

Add a dehumidifier and it'll dry even quicker!

Or use Easy Sand 45 (or even 20 if you're quick), and forget about waiting.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Typically, your store bought, pre-mix mud dries by evaporation. As noted, it is going to depend on weather conditions in your area and inside the building

On the other hand, 'Hot Mud' (comes in a powder and you mix it on site) dries by a chemical reaction (like concrete does) and comes in different formulations, anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes. It will usually harden in that time frame and can be recoated, but it still might take a day to two to fully dry, again depending on your conditions.

In any case, usually hot mud will dry before premix but it can be harder to sand, that is why they make a 'topper' type premix for the final coat or two

This is what I use for the first coat.

I always use thin coat anyway.

 

[Frankoc]

Typically 24 hours, wet mud is darker then dried mud.

 

[Viper98912]

No, you can't wait too long. Normally it's the opposite, you want to make sure you wait long enough.

Normally I do a coat a day (or coat one day, sand the next, coat the next, etc) because you're going to be very tired and fed up with the work. Especially if you're working on a ceiling.

*Note: I'm a DIYer so I use the pre-mix in a bucket from the big box store

 

[jpaw]

You can most definitely wait too long to sand with dry mix.
Last summer I used easysand 90 on a Sunday and wasn't able to get back to sanding it until the following weekend. After a week of 90 degree days I was almost ready to take 80 grit on my 7in grinder to knock down the high spots.
Eventually got through it but definitely a lot of extra work. Then it ended up needing another coat because of the uneven sanding.
So that one coat cost me probably 4 times as much time as it would have if I had just waited until the next weekend lol.

 

[Git]

easysand 90 is a 'setting' compound - used for filling joints, gaps, holes, embedding the tape, etc. It dries fairly quickly so you can apply more coats in one day. It would have been easier if you had switched to a topping compound for the last 1 or 2 coats

 

[gahrajmahal]

Another comment to what Git has so nicely explained. Setting compound will resist cracking better than “air dry” mud.

 

[jpaw]

Another comment to what Git has so nicely explained. Setting compound will resist cracking better than “air dry” mud.

Which is exactly why I use it exclusively when finishing a space that is likely to see wide temperature swings.

 

[nadogail]

Drywall work is an art.

It is affected by the weather.

To quote Yogi "It takes as long as it takes"

 

[spudley]

Need to be a fairly proficient mudder for a DIY to use 20 min mix. I mixed small batches (little over a gallon) of 45 min and it was getting stiff in the pan before I finished. Finally found a sweet spot with 90 min. Several light coats work better as it dries much harder than premix so you'll want to limit sanding.

It is an art but not rocket surgery.

IMO, one who has the skill to build a garage should be able to hang and finish drywall.

 

[Los_Control]

I have had 2o dry in my pan while still trying to mix it 45 is not bad, personally I prefer 90.
When I would have a couple guys working and a lot of mud to throw. Would mix the 45 in with a bucket of regular mud. With fans could often get 2nd coat on after lunch.
This is nice when doing remodel and client can see progress.

45 mixed in with plaster, you could apply that so thick you could bury the neighbors cat in it. Again with remodel it is a nice tool to have in the box when needed.

 

[rlitman]

I have had 2o dry in my pan while still trying to mix it 45 is not bad, personally I prefer 90.
When I would have a couple guys working and a lot of mud to throw. Would mix the 45 in with a bucket of regular mud. With fans could often get 2nd coat on after lunch.
This is nice when doing remodel and client can see progress.

45 mixed in with plaster, you could apply that so thick you could bury the neighbors cat in it. Again with remodel it is a nice tool to have in the box when needed.

20 has it's uses, but yeah, it's got the working time of 5-minute epoxy. And it is basically the 5-minute epoxy of the plaster world. That's why I buy it in the milk carton, and not the big bag. Got a big oops you want to fix around an outlet box. No problem. Just mix up a cup in a take-out soup container, and slap it up.

 

[dogdog]

drying time varies, as long as the mud is dry to be worked on without it getting out of shape when you place that taping knife over it. Then you can apply second coat and wait the same way.. then third , fourth , fifth... what ever till your wild hair gets satisfied.. .. I used regular green buckets mostly, if I am in a rush, then a box fan blows on the wall... If I am in a super rush and small area then those hot mud mixes...

 

[ScottsGT]

I always hated doing mud work. And I was a body man at one time. Spreading body filler was easy for me. Because we had cheese graters to take it down. Don't do that on walls!

Once I learned to build it slow and thin, life was better. Once I learned about the "Hot Mud" and mixed my own, life was great!

 

[sierradmax]

Not mentioned is joint thickness. Thicker the joints between boards, the more mud, the more time it takes to dry.