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You must have the right tools and materials in order to properly install drywall. Here is a list of the tools you need to get the job done:
Joint compound (mud) is the material you will use to fill in the joints, nail indentations, and corners in between the pieces of drywall. You can get pre-mixed joint compound in 1-gallon or 5-gallon tubs. A 5-gallon tub should be sufficient for finishing a 12’X12’ room. Joint compound usually takes 24 hours to completely dry. You can get setting-type compound that dries in as little as 20 minutes. The disadvantage of setting-type compound is that it is harder to sand and it usually doesn’t come pre-mixed like all-purpose joint compound.
Use paper tape for the joints and inside corners of the drywall. Cut the tape to length. Fill the joint with mud, firmly place the tape over the joint, and spread mud over the tape. You can also go with adhesive-backed fiberglass tape. It is easier to apply to joints and corners for beginners. It also allows you to skip the step of filling in the joint with mud before applying the tape.
The drywall knife is used to spread the joint compound on the surface of the drywall to fill in all the joints and edges. You can to get drywall knives in various sizes depending on the stage of drywall finishing you are in. Use a 6”-8” knife for filling in the joints and for the first coat. Get a wider knife (10”-12”) for blending the joint compound to the drywall in the second and third coats.
You will need to get medium-grit sand paper to sand down each coat of joint compound on the drywall. 80-grit or 100-grit sandpaper will both work depending on the toughness of the joint compound you used.
Note: Sanding down the joint compound will create a great deal of dust in the air. It is important to use a protective mask to keep yourself from breathing in the material.
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