The Level5 Skimming Blade is a lightweight and versatile tool for achieving smooth and consistent drywall skim coats.
By Josh Risberg Issue 321 – Feb/March 2024

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Leah from See Jane Drill demonstrates how to hand-mix drywall mud (joint compound) to a perfect, lump-free consistency.

Whether you're finishing a basement, repairing a damaged wall, or hanging drywall in a new house, these taping tips will help you make smooth, invisible seams, even at inside corners.

Hide butt joints!

Hanging drywall vertically is slower than hanging it horizontally because you have to make sure the tapered edges fall at the centers of the studs.

Use Mesh Tape

But mesh tape has one weakness (literally): It’s not as strong as paper. To compensate, you have to cover it with a setting-type joint compound, which is stronger than a premixed compound.

Setting-Type Compound

Be sure to choose a “lightweight” setting compound. Other versions become so hard that sanding away mistakes is nearly impossible. Even the lightweight versions are harder to sand than the premixed compound, so it’s best to use a setting compound for the first coat and a premixed compound for later coats.

Flatten Bumps and Bulges

If you used a setting-type compound, inspect the joints before the compound has hardened completely. Run a 12-in. wide knife over every joint. The blade will scrape off small ridges and nubs. More important, it will act as a straightedge, revealing larger bumps and bulges. When the compound is about the consistency of a bar of soap, you can easily shave down bulges without gouging. You can sand and scrape the setting compound after it’s completely hard, but that’s more work.

Smooth the Surface With a Knockdown Knife

Then drag the knockdown knife gently over the surface in one continuous pass. Apply light, even pressure and don’t stop or hesitate.
Although the rubber blade is soft, it can still make a mess of partially hardened compounds. Knockdown knives are available in 18 and 22-in. widths at drywall suppliers and some home centers and hardware stores. A 22-in. version is best for butt joints.

A drywall expert reveals some of his best tips and tricks so you can handle the job like a pro.

Bend your blade

You don’t want your blade to be perfectly flat. Bend your blade so it has a slight curve, and mark the concave side so you always know which side is which. Josh will use the convex side to feather out the edge of the joint, and the concave side to float over the joint.

Consistency of yogurt

Butt joints made easy

Drywall sheets have depressed edges that account for the thicknesses of tape and mud. When you cut a sheet, you lose that edge. On a piece of pine, Josh cuts a concave shape on one side with the table saw blade set to two degrees. This helps pull the edges of drywall in, forming a valley for tape and mud. This creates seamless joints between studs.

Staple and Tape your corner bead

Tearaway bead for exposed edges

Whenever drywall meets another surface like stone, brick or paneling, you need a way to neatly finish the edge. Tearaway bead gets you pro results with minimal effort. It attaches just like corner bead, but the compound is applied just up to the back edge. Once it dries, the tearaway strip easily pulls off, leaving a nice, finished edge.