Make ceiling seams disappear with joint compound.
Whether you are installing or repairing a drywall ceiling, one of the final steps will be to apply joint compound along ceiling seams where the sheets of drywall meet. Because you want a smooth effect that seems as seamless as possible, use care to apply the joint compound neatly. When you finish, the ceiling will be ready to receive primer and paint.
Instructions
1. Measure the length of each seam with the tape measure.
2. Cut a length of fiber mesh drywall tape with the scissors that matches the length you measured. Press the sticky side of the drywall tape firmly over the seam with your fingers. Repeat the same process to cover each seam with a length of fiber mesh drywall tape.
3. Apply a 1/4-inch layer of joint compound evenly over the seam with the drywall trowel. Extend the joint compound out beyond the edges of the drywall tape to make it as thin and smooth as possible -- the first coat of compound should be about six inches wide. Smooth the compound evenly along the entire seam and let it dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Sand the joint compound lightly along each seam with sandpaper to remove any bumps or ridges that dried in the compound. Try to sand the edges of the compound to feather them into the ceiling surface. Do not sand so much that you make the drywall tape visible beneath the drywall compound again. Wipe the seams with the tack cloth to remove dust.
5. Apply another coat of joint compound to the seams with the drywall trowel. Add another 1/8-inch layer of drywall compound over the first layer, feathering it along the edges to make the edges blend with the ceiling. The second coat of compound will probably be two to four inches wider than the first coat. Allow the second coat of compound to dry completely.
6. Sand the second coat of drywall compound again to make it smooth. Wipe the ceiling to remove dust.
7. Assess the seams to see if they appear smooth and invisible. If you can still see the seams, continue applying thin layers of joint compound with the trowel, smoothing them out and then sanding them smooth after they dry.
