Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: A few hours, depending on drying time
Tools and Materials:
Joint compound
Paper drywall tape
Hawk
5" or 6" taping knife
Inside corner knife
10" or 12" straight-handled knife
Dolly, as needed
Safety goggles
Stepladder, as needed
Well-filled joints are particularly important at inside corners, which are susceptible to cracking. When taping an inside corner, make sure that the three lengths of tape that meet at the corner (the wall joint and the two ceiling joints) don't have any gaps between them. If the joint is not completely covered by tape, the joint compound may crack or separate from the corner, leaving a hole.
While working, use a hawk. It holds a supply of compound where you need it and provides an edge for scraping compound off the taping knife. You can work without one but you'll have to bend to the bucket of joint compound many times to load and clean your knife.
1.
Prepare the Drywall Tape
Run a length of drywall tape along the inside corner, and cut the tape to the length you need. Fold the tape in half lengthwise by running the tape through your fingers (Fig. 1). Paper drywall tape has a slight crease down its center, making it easy to fold in half for use in corners. Have this prepared tape ready.
2.
Apply the First Coat
Load a hawk with a supply of joint compound. Using a 5- or 6-inch taping knife, apply a 4-inch-wide layer of joint compound to both faces of the inside corner. Make this first layer about 1/4-inch thick. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. (Fig. 2)
3.
Embed the Tape and Remove Excess Compound
While the first coat is still fresh and wet, use your fingers to embed the folded drywall tape into the compound. Then use an inside corner knife or a regular 5-or 6-inch knife to seat the tape, drawing it firmly from ceiling to floor and squeezing out any excess joint compound from beneath the tape (Fig. 3). An inside corner knife enables you to embed the tape and smooth the joint compound on both sides of the corner simultaneously. Allow the compound and tape to dry thoroughly before the next step. Scrape off any burrs or high spots.
4.
Apply a Second Coat
Use a 10- or 12-inch, straight-handled knife to apply a slightly wider layer of joint compound over the embedded tape and to each face of the inside corner (Fig. 4). Be careful not to let the corners of the knife cut the tape. Feather the edges to the drywall faces. Let this coat of joint compound dry completely, and then scrape off any burrs or high spots.
5.
Apply the Finish Coat
Using a 10- or 12-inch, straight-handled knife, apply a topcoat to each face of the inside corner. Feather the edges to create a gradual transition to the panel faces (Fig. 5). At this point, you may want to use an inside corner knife to form a crisp, straight line where the two walls meet.
