Tape & Jointing Help!

MOPI

Hi, my partner and I, who are both very much amateur DIYers have turned our hand to tape and jointing new plasterboard for a new internal wall that we have erected. We taped and used jointing compound, followed by sanding prior to applying paint. We have finished the first two mist coats for the new plasterboard and have noticed every tiny bit of variance in the filler compound is visible, creating an overall poor finish. 

We are a bit deflated and lost as to what we could try to 'fix' the problem or if we should just call in the experts to assist.

Is anyone able to offer any advice on potential solutions to help?


Thanks in advance

stuart45

Have you got any photos?
How many coats did you put over the tape?

SpudGunPaul

Photos would help but it may just need another fill and sand. 

MOPI

Hi, we applied 2-3 coats. I've attached photos with the lamp on near them to show the issue.

SpudGunPaul

Looks like it wasn't sanded flat on the edges before the mist coat.  

stuart45

You need some wider taping knives. Put the last coat on with a 10 inch blade. You also need a finer mud for the last coat, unless you use one that's a fill and finish. Wet it down a bit more.  When you get used to the tools, it will need very little sanding. When you finish sanding, run your fingers over it and it should feel perfect. Any less will show up when painted.

MOPI

stuart45 said:

You need some wider taping knives. Put the last coat on with a 10 inch blade. You also need a finer mud for the last coat, unless you use one that's a fill and finish. Wet it down a bit more.  When you get used to the tools, it will need very little sanding. When you finish sanding, run your fingers over it and it should feel perfect. Any less will show up when painted.

Thanks for this, I will purchase a 10inch blade tomorrow. Is it best technique to put the filler compound in the middle of the blade and then run it down the wall? Also, how many coats would you recommend? Is it likely the issues highlighted will be salvageable?

stuart45

You want the filler over all the blade. I can't see if you used taper edged boards, but if you did you need 3 coats over the tape.
If you go on youtube, have a look at Vancouver carpenter. Don't bother will someone like Tommy Walsh and his videos.
It's all about getting the feel of the tools. You will get better with practice.
What you've done can be made good. 

MOPI

stuart45 said:

You want the filler over all the blade. I can't see if you used taper edged boards, but if you did you need 3 coats over the tape.
If you go on youtube, have a look at Vancouver carpenter. Don't bother will someone like Tommy Walsh and his videos.
It's all about getting the feel of the tools. You will get better with practice.
What you've done can be made good. 

I think that's maybe where we went wrong, I watched the Tommy Walsh video 

We did use the tapered edge boards so I will hope that a coat or two might make it good!

FreeBear

If you use the pre-mixed "mud", if you don't get it perfect first time round, a damp sponge float can be used to smooth it down - Have a look for "wet sponge sanding of drywall" to get an idea.

Ben1989

You need a blade that's wider than the two tapers and the gap and a bit more as your level needs to be with the flat plasterboard. You also need to do it in stages and build it up and then sand for good measure. It's definitely a learning curve and I did it the way I suggested with my kitchen ceiling and it did take a fair while to get it fully uniform