HOW TO FIX A CRACK IN DRYWALL FOR GOOD (PAGE 3 OF 3)

 STEP 6

Scrape off any edges: Okay, it's been about 25 minutes. I just mixed up some regular joint compound to use for the 2nd coat. If you need to know how to mix up mud, you can go back to

All about Joint Compound

Start off by lightly scraping off any edges and high spots from the 1st coat. You don't need to sand anything on this coat. 

Each project will be different. What you want to do is figure out what the patch needs. Take your 12 inch taping knife and put it on the center of the patch. See if the knife rocks back in forth or if there is kind of a hollow spot. If it looks like it's still humped (Like picture below), you need to build up each side with the 2nd coat. If it looks like it's hollow, you need to fill in the middle area.

STEP 7

2nd coat: My patch is still humped so I'm going to build up each side with mud.

I really don't want to have to add a bunch more picture so please just go back to STEP 5 and do the same exact thing all over again, only this time use a 12 inch knife. Try your best to smooth it out. Don't worry if you can't get it perfect. You can sand it down a little tomorrow.

The picture below on the right is my patch after it's 2nd coat,

STEP 8

Your coming down the home stretch. Time to make your patch perfect. You can see by the picture, I am using a sanding block. You can use a sanding pole, a piece of sand paper, a wet rag or a sponge . Lightly sand patch down so it's nice and smooth. It's very important to feather and blend the outside edges . You don't want any sharp lines where the patch meets the existing wall. For a professional patch job, you must "KILL THE OUTSIDE EDGE" !!   

Good Job, your ready for the final step.

FINAL STEP

Now the patch is smooth and edge free. I'm using a roller to apply my primer. On my patch, I have to match the existing sand texture so I'm using perlite (primer with sand mixed in). Your patch might be smooth so just use regular primer. After the primer is dry, you are ready for the final paint job. You can handle that without me...

DONE!

For questions or ideas for future pro Drywall Tips, click here Mike@mikebelldrywall.com You can also find some good drywall tips in the "ASK THE PRO" section

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