| How to Use Fiberglass Mesh When you're taping | | | | lower it until it meets the wall. |
| sheetrock seams, it's imperative that you apply an | | | | 4. Cut the bottom edge of the mesh and use your |
| even coat of drywall mud for a smooth finish. | | | | hands to gently smooth the mesh from the center |
| Fiberglass mesh is easier to use than drywall paper | | | | to each end, ensuring that no wrinkles form. |
| tape and it resists bubbling. Although paper tape is | | | | 5. Scoop some prepared drywall mud into a taping |
| quicker if you're a professional, most do-it-yourselfers | | | | bucket with the 6-inch taping knife. Using the same |
| will find that fiber glass mesh offers a workable | | | | knife, pick up a small portion of the mud, |
| substitute. | | | | approximately one-half cup, and put it on the |
| 1. Prepare your installed drywall sheets by aligning the | | | | fiberglass mesh, smoothing as you go. Since this is |
| edges as tightly as possible before beginning the | | | | the first coat, use some pressure to force the mud |
| taping process. Wipe the bare seams down with a | | | | through the holes in the mesh and into the seam. |
| tack cloth to remove drywall dust. | | | | Cover the entire seam with an even coat of mud. |
| 2. Unroll one end of the fiberglass mesh and | | | | 6. Follow up immediately, while the mud is still soft, |
| determine which side is sticky. Begin at the top and | | | | with the 10-inch taping trowel. Pull the trowel along |
| stick only the top edge of the mesh on the seam. | | | | the seam carefully, smoothing the mud and leveling it |
| Leave a 1-inch space from the ceiling. Carefully, unroll | | | | with the surface of the wall. Make sure you smooth |
| the mesh as you hold it outwards from the wall. If | | | | out any crown on the seam. |
| you allow it to touch too soon, it will adhere and | | | | 7. Allow the mud to dry, sand off rough edges or |
| make it difficult to apply in a straight line. | | | | lumps and apply two more very thin coats. Sand |
| 3. Hold the bottom edge of the unrolled fiberglass | | | | after the last coat is dry and paint or texture your |
| mesh at the bottom of the seam. While watching to | | | | walls. |
| make sure the seam is in the middle of the mesh, | | | | |