How to USE MESH TAPE for DRYWALL

I decided to teach a newbie (my granddaughter) how to apply mesh tape. I think she does a pretty good job, but teaching her could be useful for others.

Transcript:

How to Use Mesh Tape for Drywall

So today, we're going to tape some ceiling joints, and we're going to use mesh tape. We're going to embed that mesh tape with Durabond. But what I really want to show right now is how you apply the mesh tape and a couple of things that I've learned through the years in using this tape. I've used mesh tape to tape whole houses. I've used mesh tape just for patches. So, I like to use the low-profile ProForm Fiber Tape. It's a low-profile, which means it's thinner than the average tape people use. I find that works really well.

Here's my mesh tape. Sometimes, people complain that the ends unravel while using it. I like to cut the ends so the fiberglass doesn't unravel. I run a utility knife every couple of inches to prevent unraveling. I do this on both sides. It keeps the tape neat and compact.

It's a bit hard to find the end sometimes, but once you do, this tape has a marker on it. I cut off that marker with a six-inch knife.

Now, onto the application. I'll demonstrate how to get started. I put it up there, ensuring it's bedded in nicely. To prevent unravelling, I cut it off.

This tape is self-adhesive, but you must use the right mud with it. Hot mud or chemical set mud is essential. I'm going to use Sheetrock 90.

Cleaning up your seams and making sure there are no bad spots is important. I'll demonstrate a small section to give you an idea. I put it up and bed it in nicely.

For demonstration purposes, I'll stop here. The process goes quickly once you're accustomed to it. You can even mesh it today and apply Durabond tomorrow. You can take your time with this technique.

I have some quick-set mud mixed up. I'll show you how we do this practically.

I take a six-inch knife, bend it in, and fill in the joint.

Remember, spreading mud like I do takes practice. But here's how I suggest you do it: take enough mud and dab it into the middle of the joint. Then wipe most of the mud out, and that's it.

Now, let's put this into practical application. My assistant, Amber, will join me, and I'll guide her through the process. We'll give her a chance to try it herself, as it's not as easy as it looks.

Starting with another joint, we'll use mesh tape again. Keep the tape taut while applying it. Cutting the tape to prevent unraveling is important. I'll guide Amber through this, and she'll get a chance to do it herself.

So now you want to keep the tape taut and centered. Keep your thumb in the middle to keep it taut. Seat it in gently, and keep repeating this.

Now, let's have Amber try it. Remember to keep the tape taut between your thumbs. Make sure it sticks to the ceiling.

Cut the tape when you're finished applying it. It's ready for the next step.

So, what's the key? Move slowly, keep the tape taut, and bring your thumb into the middle. Cutting the tape helps to fix any imperfections.

Now it's ready for coating. Let's move on to that step.