"I tried thinning mud to pancake batter consistency once, and honestly, it spread beautifully but did shrink a bit more than usual."
Fair point, but I've found going quite that thin can sometimes lead to weaker joints—especially if you're working with deeper seams or larger gaps. I usually aim for something closer to creamy peanut butter consistency. Sure, it takes a bit more elbow grease initially, but I rarely have issues with shrinkage or cracking later on. Might just be personal preference, though...
Have you ever tried the yogurt consistency? Sounds weird, I know, but hear me out...it's thin enough to glide nicely but thick enough to avoid major shrinkage. Plus, less sanding later—always a win in my book.
Haha, yogurt consistency...never thought of it that way, but you're onto something. I stumbled on it by accident once—too lazy to mix properly—and boom, smoothest joints ever with minimal sanding. Now it's my go-to mud trick. Keep at it, drywall warrior.
Interesting take...but doesn't the yogurt consistency sometimes make it shrink more when drying? I've found slightly thicker mud holds shape better, especially on wider joints. Ever had issues with shrinkage or cracking using that method? Curious how it's working long-term.
Yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the yogurt consistency. I've tried that thinner mud approach before, and while it does glide on super smooth initially, I've definitely noticed more shrinkage once it dries—especially on wider joints or deeper fills. It can be a bit frustrating when you think you've nailed it, only to come back later and see those subtle dips or hairline cracks.
Personally, I've found a sweet spot that's just slightly thicker than yogurt—more like creamy peanut butter (weird analogy, I know, but bear with me). It's still thin enough to spread easily without dragging or leaving ridges, but thick enough to hold its shape better as it dries. I usually do multiple thin coats rather than trying to fill everything in one go. Takes a bit more patience, but the results have been consistently smoother with minimal sanding needed afterward.
One thing I've also noticed is that the drying environment matters a lot. If it's too humid or cold, even perfectly mixed mud can shrink or crack unpredictably. A small space heater or fan nearby has saved me more than once from having to redo joints.
Long-term wise, the slightly thicker consistency has held up really well for me. No noticeable cracking or shrinking after painting and living with it for a few years now. But hey, drywall finishing is part art and part science—everyone seems to find their own rhythm eventually.