How Do You Tape And Spackle Wallboard?
Taping and spackling wallboard can be a frustrating job for beginners. Traditional paper tape must be applied smoothly with the right amount of spackle both under and over the tape and must be free of air pockets. However, there is an easier way for beginners to achieve professional results. The following will provide the materials and steps for an easier mesh tape application. Check to be sure that all screws (or nails, which are rarely used anymore) are “sunk” into the wallboard. That is to say that no heads should be higher than the wall surface as the knife will hit them when applying the spackle and prevent a smooth finish. Screw or hammer any protruding heads so that a spackle knife will not hit them when dragged across. Measure the joints and cut lengths of the self-adhesive mesh tape. Apply the tape, adhesive side against the wallboard, to the joints and smooth gently with your hand. Use the 6″ spackle knife to apply the first coat of spackle to the joints directly over the mes
