I hear you on the patience thing—waiting for mud to dry feels like watching paint dry, only somehow worse. I used to try and cheat it with a hair dryer, but all that did was make the top layer crusty while the inside stayed wet... total rookie mistake. Those flexible blades are a game changer for weird corners though, especially in these old houses where nothing is square. Have you ever tried the quick-set mud? It dries faster but can be tricky to work with if you’re not used to it.
Quick-set mud is a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s awesome for patch jobs or when you’re on a tight timeline, but I’ve found it sets up faster than I expect—especially in warm weather. I usually mix smaller batches to avoid waste. Have you noticed any issues with sanding it compared to regular joint compound? Sometimes it feels like it gets rock hard and takes more effort.
- Totally agree, quick-set mud is a lifesaver for patching, but it’s unforgiving if you don’t move fast.
- Sanding is a pain—feels like trying to smooth out concrete sometimes. I’ve actually dulled a sanding sponge or two on it.
- I’ve started using a damp sponge for the first pass, especially on old plaster walls. It helps knock down the ridges before it turns into a rock.
- If I need a super-smooth finish, I’ll do a final skim with regular joint compound. It’s more work, but worth it for those old, wavy walls.
- Anyone else notice it shrinks less than regular mud? That’s one upside, I guess...
Yeah, I’ve noticed the shrinkage is way less with quick-set mud too. The tradeoff is definitely the sanding—feels like it takes forever to get those edges feathered out. For tricky spots, I’ll sometimes use a wider knife and blend into the existing texture, especially if the walls are super old or uneven. It’s a bit more work up front, but saves me from endless sanding later.
I’ve run into the same issue with old plaster walls—sometimes it feels like you’re chasing your tail trying to get everything flush. Have you tried using a wet sponge for the final pass instead of sanding? I’ve found it helps with dust and can smooth out those feathered edges, but I’m not sure it works as well on every type of mud. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that on quick-set.
