Once the drywall corner bead has been installed, it’s time to apply drywall mud to create a seamless transition between the drywall and the bead. Typically, you’ll require a minimum of two coats of drywall compound, although occasionally a third skim coat is added to cover any flaws. The first layer of drywall mud should be applied after completing the drywall taping.
When it comes to applying the second coat, you have options: it can be done either after taping and coating the seams or after the final coating of the seams.
The steps outlined below provide a fundamental guide to mudding the exterior drywall corner bead.
Step 1 – Mixing the Drywall Mud
To coat the corner bead, you can use all-purpose drywall compound or lightweight all-purpose drywall compound. The mud utilized for this purpose is thicker than your average coating mud. You should only add a small amount of water to slightly thin it. However, it should still be thicker than most coating mud to make it easier to fill the gap between the bead and the drywall. A slightly thinner mud can be employed for the second coating to smooth out any imperfections left behind by the first coat.
Step 2 – Top-Down Mud Application
Take an eight or ten-inch drywall knife and evenly spread the drywall compound on the drywall close to the corner bead. Ensure the knife follows the bead as a guide without pulling away from it. Apply the mud evenly across and under the knife. Two fingers pressed against the knife’s middle section help maintain even pressure and control during application.
When you start applying the mud, begin from above, slightly above the center. The goal is to add more mud above and pull it into the previously applied layer. Don’t worry too much about smoothing it out at this point; focus on bridging the gap between the bead and the drywall by adding sufficient mud.
Step 3 – Bottom-Up Mud Application
Spread drywall mud from the bottom of the bead, pulling it upward into the previously applied mud. Subsequent layers of drywall mud should be applied by pulling them into the existing mud on the wall, not away from it. Therefore, apply mud to the bead from the center towards both ends to maintain consistent thickness.
Step 4 – Feathering the Mud Edge
With firm pressure on one side of the knife, clean the outer edge of the applied mud on the wall. To ensure effective pressure placement, one finger can be positioned to the left of the drywall knife handle. Pay attention to the area where the mud tapers into the drywall; you only need to clean this specific section since the corner bead guides the right side of the drywall mud.
Step 5 – Smoothing Mud from Bead to Drywall
After you’ve applied drywall mud evenly along the corner bead’s length and feathered the edge smoothly with the surrounding drywall, run the knife along the entire length of the corner bead using even pressure. The right side of the knife should track the corner bead as a guide, while the left side should run along the drywall. This step smooths the newly applied mud; take care not to remove too much. Use just enough pressure to achieve a smooth surface without creating a hollow or concave corner bead.
Step 6 – Drying and Second Coat
Once the mud has dried, repeat the above process using a larger drywall knife. If you used an eight-inch knife for the first coat, switch to a ten-inch knife for the second coat. If you initially used a ten-inch knife, opt for a twelve-inch knife for the second coat. In some cases, a third, very thin coat may be necessary to address any remaining imperfections.
Conclusion
After installing the drywall corner bead, it’s essential to coat it after completing the taping. The initial coat should be applied before the second coat on the seams. The second coat of mud can be applied at any time after the initial coating of the seams and butts. The best choice for joint compound is either All-Purpose or Lightweight All-Purpose. Normally, two coats suffice, but if the corner bead exhibits hollowness or multiple imperfections, a third coat might be required.
tag: # Coating Drywall Corner Bead
