I get the appeal of hot mud for speed, but honestly, I’ve had more luck just sticking with the regular stuff and planning around it. I know it takes longer, but at least I’m not stressing about it turning into a brick while I’m trying to smooth out a seam. Plus, I’ve wasted way less compound that way—hot mud dries up so fast if you get sidetracked, and that stuff isn’t exactly cheap if you’re doing a whole room.
Mixing compounds always seemed like a gamble to me. I tried it once and ended up with this weird lumpy mess that was harder to sand than just waiting for the regular joint compound to dry. Maybe I’m just not mixing it right, but for me, patience wins out over speed most days. I’d rather spend a little extra time than have to redo a joint because I rushed it. Fans help, sure, but sometimes I just use the downtime to catch up on other projects or, honestly, just take a break. Drywall’s gonna dry when it wants to...
I hear you on the hot mud—never really got the hang of it myself. Tried it once in a bathroom reno and it set up before I’d even finished the first seam. Ended up chiseling it off and starting over. Honestly, I’d rather wait for regular compound to dry than risk that hassle again. Ever try using a setting-type for just the first coat and topping with regular? I’ve had mixed results, but sometimes it helps speed things up without the panic. Still, nothing beats a bit of patience and a good playlist while you wait...
- Hot mud’s a beast, no doubt. I’ve had it flash on me mid-seam more times than I care to admit—especially in summer when the humidity’s up.
- Using setting-type for the first coat can be a lifesaver if you’re chasing a tight schedule, but it’s definitely not for everyone. I’ve found it helps to mix smaller batches and keep your tools clean—otherwise, you’re just fighting lumps and drag marks.
- Regular compound is way more forgiving, especially if you want that glass-smooth finish. Sometimes I’ll use hot mud just for patching or filling deep gaps, then switch to all-purpose for the rest.
- Patience really is key. I’ve learned to embrace the downtime—throw on some music, grab a coffee, and let the mud do its thing. Rushing it always seems to lead to more sanding later anyway.
- Don’t sweat the learning curve. Even after years of doing this, I still get seams that make me shake my head. It’s all part of the process... and hey, joint compound covers a multitude of sins.
Hot mud’s like playing with fire—sometimes literally. I’ve had it set up on my knife before I even finished a seam. I’m with you on mixing small batches, though. Nothing worse than a half-bucket of rock-hard mud when you’re trying to keep moving. Honestly, I’ll use hot mud for quick patches or when I’m in a rush, but for the rest, all-purpose is just easier to feather out. Rushing always bites me later with extra sanding... patience pays off, even if it’s boring as hell.
Hot mud’s a double-edged sword for sure. I learned the hard way in my 1920s place—tried to speed up a ceiling patch with 20-minute mud, and it set up before I could even blink. Ended up chiseling it off and starting over. Now I stick to all-purpose for anything bigger than a nail hole. I’ll take a longer dry time over sanding concrete any day. Patience is boring, but it saves your arms in the end.
