Instructions / Assembly

Finishing
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98
Joints
Finish the joints in four steps. First, apply a coat of
Georgia-Pacific Ready-Mix
™
Joint Compound to the
joints. Then, imbed Georgia-Pacific wallboard tape in
the Ready-Mix Joint Compound, smooth out bubbles
and allow to dry. Next, apply two successive finish
coats over the tape and allow to dry between coats.
Sand when dry.
Bedding
With your 5⬙ joint finish-
ing knife, apply a smooth,
full, even coat of Ready-
Mix Joint Compound
into the recess created
by the tapered edges of
adjoining boards.
Center a strip of wallboard
tape over the joint, and
press it firmly into the wet bedding compound with
your wallboard knife at a 45° angle. Press hard enough
to squeeze a little compound out from the edge of the
tape, but leave enough compound for a good bond.
Let dry about 24 hours.
Taping & Finishing
When the taped bedding coat is dry, apply your first
finish coat of Ready-Mix Joint Compound. Extend this
coat a few inches beyond the tape, and feather the
edges. Let dry about 24 hours. Then apply a second
finish coat with your 10
⬙ joint finishing knife. Extend
this coat 1
1
⁄2⬙ wider than the first finish coat. Wait 24
hours, and sand lightly with your sanding block and
medium grit sandpaper.
Don’t sand down to the tape.
Be very careful not to sand or scratch the face paper of
the wallboard. Wipe off dust with a damp sponge.
Nail Heads
Draw your 5⬙ joint finishing knife across the nail head
to make sure it is below the surface of the board.
Apply your first coat of Ready-Mix Joint Compound
so that it just fills the nail dimple. Don’t use excess
pressure when applying, or your knife may scoop com-
pound from the dimple. Let the first coat dry. At least
one more coat will be required. A third coat of Ready-
Mix Joint Compound may be needed. Sand lightly
after each coat dries.
Butt Joints
Butt joints (square cut edge joints) are finished the
same way as regular joints, with one exception.
Because butt joints are not tapered, you need to be
careful not to allow the joint compound and tape to
build up any more than necessary. To reduce the effect
of the build-up, feather the edges of your finish coats
wider than you would for a regular joint.
Outside Corners
Be sure the metal cornerbead is attached firmly (see
‘‘Metal Corners’’ in previous section). Use your 5
⬙ knife
to spread Ready-Mix Joint Compound about 3
⬙-4⬙ past
metal corner. Be sure to cover the metal edges. Let dry
24 hours. Apply second coat with your 10
⬙ knife.
Feather edges 2
⬙-3⬙ beyond first coat. Sand lightly
when dry. A third coat may be needed.
Inside Corners
Cut a strip of wallboard tape
the length of the corner you’re
going to finish. Crease the tape
down the center. Use your 5
⬙
knife to spread Ready-Mix
Joint Compound about 1
1
⁄2⬙
on both sides of the corner.
With the knife press the tape
into the corner. Use enough
pressure to squeeze some
compound from the edge of the tape, but leave
enough compound to form a good bond. Feather the
compound 2
⬙ from the edge of the tape. Let dry 24
hours, finishing only one side at a time. Let dry, finish
other side of corner. Let dry, then sand corner. Be
careful not to let the compound build up in the very
corner of the tape.
Excess compound in the corner
could cause hairline cracks.