to water or not to water..

echobravo

i was reading reviews on premixed joint compound (at the big box store website)
and some people were saying they mix water in the premix stuff to thin it out a little to help make it more workable.
I find using the stuff right out of the bucket easy as is.

what are you opinions on this
do you use premixed?
do you add a little water to make it easier to work with?
is there any advantages by doing that?

mikegp

It's too thick straight out of the bucket. I add water to it once it's in the pan too get it a little softer.

joecaption

I add a tiny amout of water when doing the last coat.
Make sure to keep the cover on the bucket between filling your mud pan.
At the end of the day take the time to smooth off the top layer of the left over mud, that way there's less surface area exposted to the air.

funfool

Almost always, dump a box of mud into a 5 gallon bucket and add about a 1/2" of water on top and mix it in.
The mud right out of the box, or even a bucket of mud fresh opened needs to be mixed.

You can simply use it as is, but mixing it up gives you a more creamy mixture and easier to work with ... add a touch of water and is even more creamy and lays down smoother.
Add a little more water and you have mud to use as texture.
Water is your friend, learn to use it and will have a more pleasant experience.

Just seems that moisture or water will evaporate during packaging and shipping, sitting on the shelf waiting for you to buy it.
It will work as is, But if I am going to be working with mud.
Very first tools out of the truck is two buckets 1 for mud, one for clean water ... A drill and mixing paddle and a big yellow sponge for adding water.

__________________
If it was easy, we would not call it work!

princelake

very good trick funfool, i always add water when i buy a box of mud, pull the bag out and give it a spin and a shake around to get the water everywhere and it easily slides out into my 5 gallon bucket. give it a quick mix and that mud is good to go. if i'm skimming out an area i will add a bit more water.

ToolSeeker

Normally about 1 qt of water for a 5 gallon bucket. The only one I would not add water too is the new ultra lite. Puke green lid. Water makes it very runny. Or so I have been told

Fix'n it

I put water in my ultra lite. it was "ok" as is. but the water made it much more workable. what i did was = using a puddy knife, about 4" blade. i poured in some water into the bucket, then stirred it around. to about the depth of the 4" blade. adding water and stirring until it works out to where i want it. then i use that top 4". when its gone (doesn't take long) , i repeat.

__________________
DIY'er, out of necessity. if i did this for a living, i would make about $3.50 an hour
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

i didn't make this world. i just live in it.
be careful of whom you make fun of. one day, that could be you...