Drywall finishing is an underappreciated art. Like so many other grand ironies in life, the perfect job will go unnoticed. However, people will pay a lot of attention to a poorly done job. Pops, over-sanding, messy outlet hole cuts, and bubbled seams all stick out like a sore thumb. Even if you’ve mastered the finer parts of drywall finishing, inside corners can still be a challenge. If your tape rips or you haven’t feathered your mud properly, your wall will look uneven (because it is!). Conversely, sharp inside corners make you wonder if the finisher knows some sort of voodoo. It takes a lot of practice to get it right the first time. But our Pros have some tips for improving your inside drywall corners, and we’re here to share.
Mud Pointers for Improving Your Inside Drywall Corners
“I’d rather use too much than not enough” is a sentiment that might apply to most areas of existence, but inside drywall corners are a different matter. Obviously, you want to use enough mud to cover the seam and get the drywall tape to stick.
However, don’t just slop it on.
Too much mud gets in the way of achieving sharp inside drywall corners. The goal of drywall finishing is to hide the seams and create clean, sharp corners. So, err on the side of using less mud. Plus, extra mud just makes the job harder, as you’ll wind up having to sand it off later. Practice until you get to that Goldilocks level of mud-spreading proficiency.
Also, consider using a thinner mud. Novices who have trouble with sharp corners often find that thinner mud is the answer. This especially holds true for the final or skim coat.
Remember, the goal is simply to conceal the seams and adhere the tape. You’re not building a mud hut here. Cut the mud with some water for the desired thinner consistency.
Feather One Side At a Time
Consider ditching the corner trowel for a straight putty knife. Then feathering one side of your inside drywall corners at a time. There’s no shortage of ridicule for the corner trowel in professional circles. Of course, if a finisher gets the job done efficiently with a corner knife, then that’s the right way to do it. But many Pros think the job is done best with a straight knife on one side.
Bring In the Big Guns for Inside Drywall Corners
Automatic taping tools can apply tape and the appropriate amount of mud simultaneously. Then, a corner roller is used to make a sharp corner before a mud flusher feathers the edges. Of course, the tools are more expensive than traditional drywall hand tools. But if you’ve ever seen an experienced crew use them, you’ll likely want to become part of an experienced crew. It makes the job much quicker.
Final Thoughts
As with most jobs, there are several opinions about how to go about improving and getting perfect inside drywall corners. There are likely many professionals who do great work with corner trowels, as well as being really generous with the joint mud. In the end, practice makes perfect. But, if you’re struggling in this area right now, consider these tips for improving your inside drywall corners.
If you’re a Pro and you have drywall finishing tips, please add them in the comments below.
