tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
This is my first time drywalling, and I've had experienced people swear up and down that paper tape is the best, and others the same for mesh. So, which is you favorite and why?
R
Rod Gervais
New member
If you have never taped before - use the mesh - avoid the paper like the pague.
Even a lot of experienced drywall contactors use the mesh -
the paper - if not perfectly taped - if you remove a wee bit too much joint compound in the first coat - OR - if the entire paper does not become wet enough in the process - OR if you start your 2nd coat when your first coat is still damp to even the slightest degree - under all or any of those conditions - the tape will fail and lift.
The mesh won't............
Rod
Even a lot of experienced drywall contactors use the mesh -
the paper - if not perfectly taped - if you remove a wee bit too much joint compound in the first coat - OR - if the entire paper does not become wet enough in the process - OR if you start your 2nd coat when your first coat is still damp to even the slightest degree - under all or any of those conditions - the tape will fail and lift.
The mesh won't............
Rod
guitar junkie
Guitar User.
I guess most people never know to use a small bucket of water to wet the tape, and wring it out before putting it in the joint... I have never had a seam fail me yet, and I have been doing drywall tape for years (my family trade is remoddeling)
EdWonbass
pull the goalie
I have only ever used the mesh and it is pretty easy. It has a sticky side so you can just stick it to the wall and mud over it. With tape you have to lay down mud first then embed the tape into the mud and then go over it with more mud. Either way make sure you do at least 3 coats of joint compound using a wider taping knife each time.
G
goodbyebluesky
New member
It seems most pros swear by the paper tape for some reason. I've read that it strengthens the joint more than mesh, but how it does that is beyond me. I think it appeals to pros because its cheaper which cuts their expenses, and can be used for inside corner joints whereas mesh is harder to use in that way (when drywalling I have just spent the extra few bucks to embed the pre-formed metal corners in the joint which pros don't do)
B
bpape
Acoustic Designer - GIK
Most pros that I know use the paper but the issues above are very valid. Mesh is fine IMO for non-butt joints. For butt joints, the mesh requires more buildup to cover which can be a PITA.
The paper/metal combination inside corner is one fo the greatest things ever invented IMO.
Bryan
The paper/metal combination inside corner is one fo the greatest things ever invented IMO.
Bryan
guitar junkie
Guitar User.
I suppose I should shoot video of my studio when I tape the seams on it....
tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
Just a follow-up... I went with the mesh, and I'm very happy. It is some forgiving shit, and I am one who needs much forgiveness. Sweet.
BushmasterM4
Well-known member
If you have alot to sand, then wet sanding is the least messy. No dust involved. I built a 30 x 30 studio and had a shitload of mudding and sanding. Wet sanded most of it.
pandamonk
Well-known member
I'm just about to start on this today. 
I've never done it before, and i'm shit at DIY. Ocht well, here i go...
I've never done it before, and i'm shit at DIY. Ocht well, here i go...
B
bpape
Acoustic Designer - GIK
3 pieces of advice.
Don't put too much mud on - it's just more you have to sand off.
Make sure you smooth out and add a bit of water to your mud. Takes a little longer to dry but much easier to work.
Don't try to do everything with a 6" knife. For the finish coat (especially for butt joints) use a 12" knife. The wider you feather it out, the easier it is to get it to look flat.
Good luck...
Bryan
Don't put too much mud on - it's just more you have to sand off.
Make sure you smooth out and add a bit of water to your mud. Takes a little longer to dry but much easier to work.
Don't try to do everything with a 6" knife. For the finish coat (especially for butt joints) use a 12" knife. The wider you feather it out, the easier it is to get it to look flat.
Good luck...
Bryan
pandamonk
Well-known member
Thanks Brian. It's going pretty well, imo. I'm using ready mixed stuff, n tape. It's like a plastic mesh tape, with self adhesive. I've done a couple of walls, although they are small walls, lol. 6'x2' and 9'x6', and a bit of the ceiling. It looks good... 
tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
Word... I started dipping my knife in water every few passes. Mucho mejor. The inside corners are busting my ass, even with the bead. Gotta get someone o see it in person and tell me if I'm fucking it up or not.
Still, 6" knife today,
12" tomorrow,
sanding Saturday,
Priming Sunday...
Shit is starting to really look like a real room, er, two rooms. It's nearly miller time.
mshilarious
Banned
'Round these parts, most walls are finished with spraying and a 'knockdown' finish which involves going over the moist sprayed-on mud with an 18" plastic knife. NO SANDING required, which is wonderful!
I even had them leave the sprayed mud un-knocked-down in the studio, just for that tiny unmeasurable bit of diffusion plus it looks cool next to the fabric-covered panels on the wall:
I even had them leave the sprayed mud un-knocked-down in the studio, just for that tiny unmeasurable bit of diffusion
plus it looks cool next to the fabric-covered panels on the wall:
tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
Dumb Fuck
I bought some pre-taped metal bead and was having a bitch of a time making it work on inside corners. Well guess what, it was outside fucking corner bead. What a moron. Thankfully, I was a LAZY moron yesterday and had only done three corners. I had to use so much fucking mud to make them work, it was still kinda wet and they came off relatively easily. Got the correct stuff now and you're right Bpape, this shit is very nice. I did all of the vertical corners and I'm headed back to the store for enough of this stuff to do the vertical ones as well. Thanks for the tip. Allow me to add this advice: If you can see the metal, you're using it backwards.
I bought some pre-taped metal bead and was having a bitch of a time making it work on inside corners. Well guess what, it was outside fucking corner bead. What a moron. Thankfully, I was a LAZY moron yesterday and had only done three corners. I had to use so much fucking mud to make them work, it was still kinda wet and they came off relatively easily. Got the correct stuff now and you're right Bpape, this shit is very nice. I did all of the vertical corners and I'm headed back to the store for enough of this stuff to do the vertical ones as well. Thanks for the tip. Allow me to add this advice: If you can see the metal, you're using it backwards.