Well, I am progressing with my seemingly endless bathroom remodel and have a few drywll/mudding questions:

1) What are some techniques for neatly mudding and sanding the top ceiling corners where the 2 walls and ceiling meet? I have a corner sponge which is great for the long 2 wall corners but at that 3-point junction I am baffled on how to get crisp and clean results.

2) when final sanding just how many sanding imperfections will primer and topcoat cover? I am always unsure on how fussy my last sandings should be with regard to sanding screen swirls.

3) what is the trick for avoiding the little air bubbles in the mud on the walls when applying the compound, in either first or second coats and especially in the final coat. In a past project I mixed the compound thoroughly with a drill driven mixer and had lots of annoying bubbles. So this time I have been using the lightweight compound directly from the pail with no mixing or dilution. What is the correct way to prepare the compound for application?

4) is there any benefit to using (or preference for) either regular or lightweight compound?

Thanks as always!

Herb.

1) What are some techniques for neatly mudding and sanding the top ceiling corners where the 2 walls and ceiling meet? I have a corner sponge which is great for the long 2 wall corners but at that 3-point junction I am baffled on how to get crisp and clean results.

They are a pain. The corner trowels help apply it. Get as close as you can with the sponge from all 3 angles. I usually finish by scraping with a knife blade.


2) when final sanding just how many sanding imperfections will primer and topcoat cover? I am always unsure on how fussy my last sandings should be with regard to sanding screen swirls.

The swirls shouldn't be a problem. Just don't leave any ridges. 10 times as much work to fix once painted.

3) what is the trick for avoiding the little air bubbles in the mud on the walls when applying the compound, in either first or second coats and especially in the final coat. In a past project I mixed the compound thoroughly with a drill driven mixer and had lots of annoying bubbles. So this time I have been using the lightweight compound directly from the pail with no mixing or dilution. What is the correct way to prepare the compound for application?

I usually end up filling them and then a light sanding.

4) is there any benefit to using (or preference for) either regular or lightweight compound?

Never worked enough with the light weight material to know.

3) what is the trick for avoiding the little air bubbles in the mud on the walls when applying the compound, in either first or second coats and especially in the final coat. In a past project I mixed the compound thoroughly with a drill driven mixer and had lots of annoying bubbles. So this time I have been using the lightweight compound directly from the pail with no mixing or dilution. What is the correct way to prepare the compound for application?

Rather than using lightweight compound add a small amount of dish detergent (JOY or DAWN) to the spackle before mixing it, DON'T thin it with water as it adds to the shrinkage problem. This reduces the air bubbles and makes it a little smoother to work with and also makes it sand as easy or easier than the lightweight compound.

4) is there any benefit to using (or preference for) either regular or lightweight compound?

Never worked enough with the light weight material to know.

I prefer working with regular compound for durability purposes, it tends to leave less bubbles if you add a small amount of dish detergent and yet still leaves an easily sandable surface.

I haven't been happy with the lightweight stuff. I don't finish drywall much, but I had better success with thin "regular" compound.

Well, as I approach the finishing stages of my bathroom drywalling I have used 2 pails of lightweight and as a test I went back to the regular weight and I have to say that the advice given earlier was spot on. The regular does leave far less bubbling and actually spreads smoother when worked less. I am convinced. I have yet to try the dish detergent trick. I did read about this but got scared off with no experience. I will add some to my last batch here to try that out as well.

Thanks to all who responded. Your wisdom is priceless to me.

Hi Nervous -

I was just wondering if you tried the dish-soap trick. I am about to start a small project in the basement and I am looking for the easiest way possible.

Thanks

I did not try the soap technique in my last go round. What I did come away with however is that I do prefer using the regular weight (or standard) drywall compound to the lightweight variation. I found the bubbles much easier to control. Someday I will try the soap but just not this time. I'd love to hear back if you do and if it makes a difference. One thing I do know is that it's still not one of my favorite parts of any proect. I am still cleaning dust fro every nook and cranny and I took paine to control it. I think it's just not possible.

Good luck and let me know how you make out.

N.