[JonCiccarone]

Hi all,
I've taken on a bathroom remodel in my house which has required a lot more drywall work than I was anticipating.
I've done lots of small repairs and some bigger ones, and now I'll be mudding and taping a larger section of drywall in the living space behind the bathroom that needed to be removed, so I'm asking the controversial question of "Paper or mesh tape?"
I've heard a lot of back and forth about this question working around people in the trades.
I've done mesh tape on the smaller repairs but I've heard paper tape is stronger so I'm considering that for this repair.
What are the pros and cons of paper tape vs. mesh tape?

Thanks,
JC

 

[chrisn]

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/too...e/paper-and-fiberglass-mesh-drywall-tape.aspx

 

[mako1]

After hanging thousands of sheets of drywall the only callbacks I've ever had for cracks were joints done with mesh tape.That's why I only used it on a couple of houses.
I know some guys use it but bed it with a setting compound and say they have no issues.I bed all tape paper or mesh with setting compound and still had issues with the mesh.

 

[Gymschu]

Chrisn's link really explains it well.

 

[jeffnc]

The Fine Homebuilding article is OK, except for 2 things.

1) It says "Fiberglass-mesh tape is self-adhesive, so it doesn’t need to be embedded in a layer of compound." This is NOT true. It does need to be embedded in a layer of compound. The difference between paper and mesh is that joint compound goes right through mesh, therefore it's easy to embed the tape without laying down a layer first. The self-adhesive is merely a convenience for holding the tape on the wall until you get the compound on.

2) It doesn't mention FibaFuse, which is the perfect hybrid. Just use that and stop worrying about paper vs. mesh.

 

[spaceman spif]

I'm not a pro, but I've done a fair amount of drywalling and patching and I've used paper, mesh, and the Fibafuse. I agree with Jeff - Fibafuse was far and away the best stuff I worked with.

 

[Bud9051]

I don't use a mud pan, I use a hawk and a 6" knife. For tape I use a drywall tape reel so it is right there when I need it like a third hand. Always paper tape and work it across to where I want to stop and hold the tape firmly against the wall with the knife and tear it off. Then just let the tape end drop or spin the reel a touch to pull it back into place.

As for the hawk, it acts like a helper as well and eliminates many trips back for more mud. I load it up with a comfortable amount and use one of the 4 sides to load my knife. If I pick up some debris in the mud and don't want to use what is on the knife I rotate the hawk and clean the knife on one of the other sides. Rotate it back and continue working.

When I start, I use the drill to mix in a bit of water, but only in the top 6" or so. That leaves the lower mud as is and if I get it too thin I just mix a bit lower. Never use well water.

Bud

 

[jeffnc]

Bud makes some good points and tips. That's a good way to do it using paper tape. (That's a good idea about mixing only the top part of the mud.) The tape roll speeds things up and unclutters, and the hawk is a good tool as well.

The only thing is, it takes some experience and/or meticulousness to completely eliminate air bubbles underneath the paper tape. They can happen without knowing for the inexperienced. That's why I recommend FibaFuse (even for you Bud.) For the experienced, it's generally faster to install. For the inexperienced, it virtually eliminates air bubbles. Also, it doesn't fuzz up if you sand down to it, like paper tape will.

The only issue is installing it in corners. I always recommend DIYers use a corner tool for installing corners anyway. Frankly, I can't figure out why pros are so against them, or think they're uncool. Doing it with a flat knife just takes more steps, it's as simple as that. Why do side 1 today and side 2 tomorrow when you can do both in one pass? If you use a corner tool, FibaFuse will work fine. If you use a flat knife, then you have to be careful you don't cut through the FibaFuse.

 

[JonCiccarone]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll be doing a lot of butt joints so I think I'll be using paper tape.

Never use well water.

Bud

What's wrong with using well water? That's my only option unless I want to buy thinners

 

[Bud9051]

I'm old, but strangely, I like mud and tape and I currently have some work in progress, so I will look on my next big box visit to see if FibaFuse is available. I suspect it is. Although I prefer paper to mesh, paper does require some attention. My success with it is that I force the mud into the tape. It isn't a case of gluing the tape in place, it is a case of making the tape into a new mud/tape product. Once the tape is saturated with mud, and it isn't that difficult, it dries along with the mud and doesn't lift. I can explain my steps if anyone wants.

Bud

 

[Bud9051]

JC, the unchlorinated water will grow stuff. People who fill their pools with well water need to add a ton of chlorine. I worked one job with well water and when I opened a half used mud bucket a couple of days later it was black inside. I tossed that and picked up a couple of gallons of city water, it really doesn't take a lot, 1/4 cup.

My concern was, what might grow on those walls later on. As far as I know, nothing did, but if you had seen that "black" inside that bucket, you would never use well water to mix your mud. Just my opinion as I've never seen others mention it.

Bud

 

[JonCiccarone]

JC, the unchlorinated water will grow stuff. People who fill their pools with well water need to add a ton of chlorine. I worked one job with well water and when I opened a half used mud bucket a couple of days later it was black inside. I tossed that and picked up a couple of gallons of city water, it really doesn't take a lot, 1/4 cup.

My concern was, what might grow on those walls later on. As far as I know, nothing did, but if you had seen that "black" inside that bucket, you would never use well water to mix your mud. Just my opinion as I've never seen others mention it.

Bud

Makes perfect sense Bud! Thanks for letting me know. I'll use city water from here on out.

JC

 

[ToolSeeker]

I have used well water when I had it now for over 40 years and NEVER have had a call back. I haven't lived in the big city so the last 3 houses I have owned were all done with well water. And you will like the FibaFuse (not to confused with Fiba Tape) everywhere but the corners, it tears pretty easy in the corners . It's not creased like paper tape.

 

[Bud9051]

TS, I suspect you are correct about the well water as what is in it will vary widely. When I built in NJ that well water was some of the best I have ever encountered and never encountered the mold issue. But, if I have access to treated water I will bring some along.

Thanks,
Bud