I'm stepping in to finish a job that already has two coats done. I'm planning to use a lightweight finish mud. Do I absolutely need an automatic mud mixer for this, or can I get away with mixing it by hand using a putty knife? I'm a beginner, so any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Nope, you don’t need an automatic mixer! Just grab a small bucket or a mud pan, take some scoops from your main bucket, and mix it up using your drywall knife. Aim for a smooth texture, similar to a fresh jar of peanut butter. Make sure there aren’t any hard bits in there from freezing or anything. Just keep it simple!
While you technically don’t need a mixer, a lot of pros use one because it makes the job faster. If you’re just starting out, mixing by hand is fine, but a mixer can definitely save you time and effort.

Totally agree! A mixer is a nice tool to have, especially as you get more into it. But for now, don’t stress it; you can do it by hand!