TIL a lot of guys are still using the wrong mud for the first coat on fresh board

I was helping a buddy finish a basement in Cincinnati last week and he grabbed a bucket of all-purpose for the first coat. I told him to use a lightweight mix for that, but he said it doesn't matter. It matters because the all-purpose is harder to spread and doesn't fill the tape line as cleanly, which can cause bubbles. I've seen way fewer callbacks since I switched to lightweight for the first coat about two years ago. Anyone else stick to this rule, or am I just making extra work for myself?

3 comments

3 Comments

parker1831mo ago

My buddy's first coat with all-purpose mud cracked everywhere, just like you said it could.

stellanelson1mo ago

Was it thinned down enough? All-purpose mud straight from the bucket is too thick for a smooth coat, so it shrinks and cracks as it dries. That's usually the fix for that problem.

josepha321mo ago

Come on, lightweight mud is just a crutch. All purpose has more glue in it, holds the tape way better. If it's cracking, you're putting it on too thick or not mixing it right. I've used all purpose for first coats for twenty years and never had a bubble problem. You just have to know how to work with it.