[JulieMor]

I thought I was pretty much done with taping but I knew I had to rake a better light across the surface before I was comfortable with putting on primer paint. I had been using a quartz work light to rake the surface but I think it's beam was too wide. This is what I saw after the last coat (before sanding)

So I took out a flashlight with an adjustable beam and :surprise:.

I still have a lot of work to do! And I don't think sanding alone will make it all better.

So I was thinking...

Should I thin the topping compound a bit more so it will flow better?

Should I go to a wider taping knife? I have been using a 10".

Should I just put a small amount in the mud pan and clean it between refills?

Should I run the knife side-to-side instead of up and down?

In the past, when I have done much smaller jobs, I would take a foam sanding block and feather it out. It was all I knew. Now I'm thinking there has to be a better way where so much sanding isn't necessary.

I was thinking back about watching tapers on the job but I never really studied what they did because I had my job to do. But it seemed to me they just did a light sanding with a pole sander and they were done. Of course they had all the best taping tools and a ton of skill. :vs_cool:

 

[mako1]

That's just bad technique.Can't blame it on the mud.With that said ,how much did you thin the mud?
I usually use a 12" knife,sometimes a 14 , for the slick coat.
Do not try and slick coat running side to side.
I don't see any indication that your mud was dirty.If it has crumblies or something else in it it will leave a vertical line.
Try taking a 6" knife on about a 45 degree angle with quite a bit of pressure applied and drag it acrossed the high spots.It will take them down and save you lots of sanding .May have to adjust the angle a bit but you'll get the hang of it.
We do our best to do clean flat joints and then scrape off any ridges in this manner.Then just do a light sanding on the slick coat.

 

[JulieMor]

That's just bad technique. Can't blame it on the mud.

I have to blame it on the mud. If I don't then there's only me to blame and we can't have that! :wink2:

 

[JulieMor]

I thinned the mud, probably thinner than bazooka consistency, and that made the difference. I also put less mud in the pan.

Using a 14" knife I was able to get a very smooth coat down. I think part of the problem is the topping compound dries pretty quickly.

Anyway, my frustration levels have dropped. I'm expecting to start the primer painting tomorrow. :vs_karate:

 

[Sir MixAlot]

Anyway, my frustration levels have dropped. I'm expecting to start the primer painting tomorrow. :vs_karate:

You might have one more go round of fine tuning your mud work.

 

[JulieMor]

You might have one more go round of fine tuning your mud work.

ONE MORE ROUND!!!!!! :vs_mad:

You'd better hide behind that couch. I have visions of mud slinging dancing in my head. :vs_smirk: