[JLawrence08648]

I'm redoing my kitchen, removed the sheetrock behind the refrig, stove, sink, cabinets and replaced with new sheetrock, pulled down the old cabinets, putting up new, tiling the backsplash areas behind the top of the stove, sink, counter, then painting the exposed wall areas including behind the refrigerator.

The areas where it is going to be painted, the tape and joint compound will be smooth and perfect of coarse. But what about the areas behind the cabinets and tile? Do I just do the first coat over the screws and tape and let it go? Or do I knock off the very few high spots and put on a thin second coat using a 10"-12" knife? I'll be using thinset for the tile.

 

[chandler48]

No need to finish beyond first coat and tape, IMO. It won't be seen and won't add to the structure to go further.

 

[Domo]

If, as you say, the painted areas will be smooth-wall (flat), then your taping must be pretty good, in which case why not do the whole room and tape it as a professional would do? It's only mud and a few more feet of tape and the job will be done right.

You could end up thanking yourself in 5-10 years if you're still there and remodel before you sell, or give it to your kids...

Personally, I'd be embarrassed if I thought someone was going to pull the cabinets and see unfinished wall. But I suppose it happens every day...

Then again, I'm old.

 

[JLawrence08648]

If, as you say, the painted areas will be smooth-wall (flat), then your taping must be pretty good, in which case why not do the whole room and tape it as a professional would do? It's only mud and a few more feet of tape and the job will be done right.

You could end up thanking yourself in 5-10 years if you're still there and remodel before you sell, or give it to your kids...

Personally, I'd be embarrassed if I thought someone was going to pull the cabinets and see unfinished wall. But I suppose it happens every day...

Then again, I'm old.

Thanks Domo for your response and input, My taping and joint compound skills are pretty good so much that no sanding or screening is necessary until the last. If I do, immediately, just immediately the tape is showing because my coats are so thin. I put a second coat on then screened some spots quickly but had to be careful because of the tape showing. Then I've primed the sheetrock. I feel you always need to prime sheetrock even if you find you won't see it as the paper discolors and that bothers me years later. I don't think any professional finishes the sheetrock behind the cabinets finger smooth as if it was a bedroom living room wall.

 

[huesmann]

If anything, you want a less smooth surface for tile adhesion!