Getting Smooth Drywall Joints Without Losing Your Mind
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.
That’s the story of my life with these 1920s walls. Every time I think I’ve got a joint perfectly level, the light hits it just right and... nope, there’s another ridge. I totally get what you mean about chasing your tail.
I’ve used the wet sponge trick a lot, especially in tight corners where sanding just makes a mess or risks gouging the old plaster. It’s a lifesaver for dust, and honestly, it gives you a lot more control feathering those edges. But with quick-set mud? Mixed results. Sometimes it sets up so fast that the sponge just drags or leaves streaks if you’re not careful. I usually stick to regular all-purpose for the final skim if I want to sponge.
Don’t get discouraged—these old walls have character, and sometimes a little imperfection just adds to the charm. If you step back and can’t spot the seams in normal light, you’re probably doing better than you think.
I swear, every time I think I’ve finally nailed a joint, the sun comes in at just the wrong angle and suddenly it looks like a mountain range. Tried that sponge trick too—sometimes it works, sometimes it just makes a weird mess. At this point, I’m convinced these old walls are just trolling me.
I hear you—those “mountain range” joints are the bane of my existence too. I’m starting to think the more money I try to save by DIYing, the more time I spend cursing at my walls. Honestly, I’ve tried every “budget hack” out there, and half the time it just makes things worse. The sponge trick? Yeah, sometimes it’s magic, sometimes it’s like wiping mashed potatoes around. Maybe it’s just these old houses… or maybe the pros actually earn their pay after all.
The sponge trick? Yeah, sometimes it’s magic, sometimes it’s like wiping mashed potatoes around.
Honestly, I think the sponge thing is overrated. Maybe it works for some, but nine times out of ten I just end up making a bigger mess. I’ve had better luck with a wider knife and just taking my time—lots of thin coats, let ‘em dry, sand lightly, repeat. It’s tedious, but it beats chasing ridges and blobs all over the place.
I get what you mean about old houses, though. Nothing’s straight, corners are never square, and suddenly you’re inventing new curse words. Still, I wouldn’t say pros are the only ones who can get it right. Most of the “budget hacks” are more trouble than they’re worth, but if you stick to the basics and don’t rush it, you can get pretty close to pro results. The trick is patience, not necessarily fancy tools or shortcuts.
- Tried the sponge thing a couple times—honestly, it just made me question my life choices. Maybe I was too impatient, but it felt like I was just smearing joint compound around and not actually smoothing anything out. Ended up with more sanding than if I’d just used a knife in the first place.
- My house is from the 60s, so nothing’s level or square either. Corners are a nightmare. I’ve found that using a 12” taping knife helps a lot for feathering out seams, especially where things aren’t straight. It’s not fancy, but it covers more area and hides the worst of the wonkiness.
- Patience is definitely key. I used to try to rush it—slap on thick coats, thinking I’d save time. All that got me was more sanding and frustration later. Now I do thin layers, let each one dry overnight (even if it means the project drags on), and sand lightly between coats. It’s boring, but it works.
- One thing that helped: using a work light at a low angle to spot ridges and dips before painting. You see stuff you’d never notice otherwise...and fix it before it drives you nuts later.
- Budget-wise, I don’t think you need all those “miracle” tools or gadgets they sell at the big box stores. A decent taping knife set and some patience go further than any hack I’ve tried.
- Only shortcut I’ll vouch for is pre-mixed mud—saves cleanup and mixing time, especially for small jobs.
Not saying my joints are perfect, but after enough trial and error (and cursing), they’re good enough that nobody notices unless they’re looking for flaws with a flashlight. That’s close enough for me.
