"Good lighting is key... I didn't realize how uneven my joints were until I brought in an extra lamp."
Haha, relatable! I've had clients swear their walls were perfect until we turned on the overhead lights. Another tip: sanding sponges can save your sanity—less dust, smoother finish, fewer tears shed.
Lighting definitely makes a huge difference. Another thing that's saved me from drywall despair is applying thin coats and letting each one dry fully before adding the next. I know it's tempting to rush through it, but patience really pays off here. Also, sanding lightly between coats with a fine-grit sponge helps catch imperfections early—way less headache later on. You've got this, just take it slow and steady...
Totally agree on the thin coats—rushing drywall mud is a recipe for frustration. One thing I'd add is to watch your mud consistency closely. If it's too thick, you'll fight it every step of the way; too thin, and you'll be chasing drips all day. I usually aim for something like creamy peanut butter—smooth enough to spread easily but not runny. And yeah, lighting is key...nothing worse than thinking you're done, then seeing a nasty ridge appear when the sun hits it just right.
Good points on consistency and lighting. A couple things I've learned the hard way:
- Sanding between coats is tedious, but skipping it always bites me later. Even a quick pass with a sanding sponge helps catch those sneaky ridges before they become permanent headaches.
- I've found that using a wider knife for each subsequent coat really helps feather out the edges. Started with a 6-inch, then moved to a 10-inch, and finally a 12-inch knife—made a noticeable difference in smoothness.
One thing I'm still struggling with is corners. No matter how careful I am, they never seem quite perfect. Anyone have tips or tricks for getting crisp inside corners without spending forever fussing over them?
Corners can be tricky—I feel your pain. Ever tried one of those corner trowels? They're pretty affordable and saved me a ton of frustration. Still not perfect, but definitely closer to crisp without losing hours fussing over details.
