Yeah, those so-called “miracle” gadgets never quite live up to the hype, do they? I’ve found it’s all about the layering—thin coats, let each one dry fully, and don’t rush it. A 12” knife is my limit too; anything bigger and I end up making more of a mess than I fix. If you catch a ridge early with a damp sponge instead of sanding later, it saves your wrists and your sanity. And honestly, even pros sometimes hide a stubborn seam behind a bookshelf...
Funny you mention the 12” knife—tried a 14” once thinking it’d save me some passes, but ended up chasing globs of mud across the wall for an hour. I’m with you on layering, though. I do have a soft spot for those old-school stainless taping knives; plastic ones just flex too much for my liking. Ever experiment with hot mud for first coats? Cuts down dry time, but man, you’ve gotta hustle before it sets...
Ever experiment with hot mud for first coats? Cuts down dry time, but man, you’ve gotta hustle before it sets...
Hot mud’s a lifesaver on tight schedules, but I’ve had it flash on me mid-pass more than once—super annoying. Do you notice any difference in sanding between hot mud and premix? I swear the dust is worse with the fast-set stuff.
Hot Mud vs. Premix—Worth the Hassle?
- Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of hot mud for the first coat, especially in these old houses where nothing’s square and you’re always feathering over weird seams.
- Yeah, it sets fast, but I find the sanding is way more of a pain. The dust seems heavier and clumps up, and it’s harder to get a really smooth finish without gouging.
- With premix, it takes longer to dry, but I can take my time and get the joints flatter. Less touch-up later, which is a win in my book.
- I’ve noticed with hot mud, if you don’t nail it on the first pass, you’re stuck scraping ridges and trying to fix it after it’s already rock hard. That’s just more work for me.
- The only time I’ll reach for hot mud is patch jobs or when I need to get a coat on before dinner guests or something. Otherwise, I stick with premix and just plan for the dry time.
I get why folks like the speed, but for me, especially in these drafty old rooms with uneven walls, slow and steady wins. I’d rather sand less and spend more time getting the first coat right. Maybe it’s just me, but the dust from premix is easier to control, too—less of that gritty mess everywhere.
If you’ve got a system that works for you, stick with it. But I’d rather wait than rush and regret it later... especially when I’m still finding dust in the corners months down the line.
Ever tried using one of those sanding sponges with a vacuum attachment? I swear by them for cutting down on the dust, especially when you’re working in rooms that never seem to get fully clean. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those mesh screens instead—do they clog up less with hot mud? I’m always fighting with corners and weird angles in these old places, so anything that makes sanding less of a pain is worth a shot.
