I'm a first-time homeowner and finally getting around to painting rooms in my house. I've been following Jeff Thorman from Home RenoVision DIY, who suggests using Sheetrock 45 for filling nail holes and imperfections before painting. He mentions that the store-bought premixed stuff can shrink or cause flashing. I'm wondering if I should invest in a bag of Sheetrock 45 and a hawk for about $23 total, especially since I think I'll need to skim-coat my bathroom and kitchen soffits. But I've never skim-coated before and am a bit skeptical if I can actually pull it off just from watching videos. Would this investment in the Sheetrock 45 and hawk be worth it, or am I better off sticking to the premixed joint compound?
4 Answers
I get the appeal of using Sheetrock 45 because it sets faster and is tougher. I’d recommend trying a stainless mud tray if you go the hawk route since it’ll serve you well in the long run. If you're skimming, just remember to go easy at first—like, focus on getting a flat coat rather than perfection right off the bat, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach if you hit snags.
Either option can work, but I’d suggest checking out Vancouver Carpenter on YouTube for some good techniques, especially if you’re planning to do a lot of skim coating. It's nice to have options. I don’t mind premixed, but there's a solid argument for the 45.
I definitely recommend going for the Sheetrock 45 and mixing it yourself. The premixed stuff can be pretty unreliable and takes a long time to dry. I've done a lot of drywalling, and it's clear that less is more with skim coats. You might want to check out some videos on the process and take breaks if it feels overwhelming. You’ve got this!
Make sure to check out Vancouver Carpenter before diving into mud work! It can really help you avoid some common pitfalls. In my experience, we’ve had better luck with premixed stuff now that we're more experienced. But starting with the bagged mud is a solid choice too!