by Marla Hansen

Created on: June 08, 2010

Plastering drywall is not an impossible job however it does take some skill. As with any Do-It-Yourself project, seeking advice from an expert or another DIY friend is always helpful and advisable for guaranteed success with less stress and frustration along the way. With that in mind, here are a few basic tips for plastering your drywall.

Project One

If your goal is to simply plaster the seams and nail holes of freshly hung drywall, these steps will help you through the process. Before you begin, remember to gather all necessary equipment such as ladders, buckets, drywall pan, 10 and 12 inch broad plaster knives, drywall compound and rags. Also, it is important to remember that drywall is paper coated gypsum and therefore will tear easily if your knife is new with sharp edges. It is always wise to sand the edges of your knife in order to remove any chance of tears before you begin.

Step One

Check to make sure all drywall tapered seams are tight. A slight gap of ¼ inch or less is acceptable in corner joints however tight seams are always preferred. All seams should then be covered with either paper tape or self-adhesive mesh tape.

Step Two

There are several choices when it comes to drywall plaster such as all purpose, topping and hot mud. Any of these will work for plastering drywall seams and nail holes. Your plaster compound, or mud, needs to be carefully mixed. Once properly mixed, your mud will have a smooth appearance with no lumps as with the consistency of cake frosting.

Step Three

You are now ready to begin applying the plaster. Three coats will be applied. Begin by filling your drywall pan with mud and using the 10 inch knife for application. Once you have mud on your knife, begin at a corner bead, working from the ceiling down. Use smooth, even strokes to cover the tape. Be sure to feather in the outside edges left by each stroke. The plaster should appear clean and smooth when finished.

Once you are finished plastering the drywall with the first coat of mud, go through and lightly sand any rough spots. Then you are ready to apply the second and third coats simply repeating the process with the 12 inch blade.

Step Four

Once your drywall has been plastered, you will need to put one coat of sealer/primer on your walls. USG Corp, the inventor of Sheetrock, has a perfect product for this called First Coat.

Project Two

Often, homeowners choose to plaster over their entire drywall in order to get a certain look, texture or style. If this is the option

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