Tapered my first big ceiling job last week and the tape peeled up everywhere

I used the same mud mix I always do for walls but it just let go on the ceiling after an hour. Did I need a stickier compound or should I have goosed the paper tape longer before hanging it?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliver_wilson491mo ago

Used the same mud mix I always do for walls" - yeah and I bet it worked great until gravity reminded you who's boss. Idk man, ceilings are just walls that hate you and want you to fail. You probably needed a lighter mix or a setting compound that grabs faster. I've had paper tape just wave goodbye after an hour on a ceiling too, feels like the drywall is personally offended. Maybe try soaking the tape a bit more next time or switching to a hot mud that sets before your lunch break.

evan_campbell1mo ago

Man, ceilings are a whole different beast. Gravity is always working against you on those. You gotta switch to a hot mud like a 20 or 45 minute setting compound. That stuff grabs fast before the tape has time to sag. Also don't overload your tape with mud, just a thin even coat. I'd rather do two thin coats than one thick one that falls. And yeah, soaking the tape a little longer helps it stick better too.

drew96522d ago

@oliver_wilson49 nailed it. Ceilings are just personal insults from your house. Hot mud is the only way.