Finally figured out why my drywall mud kept cracking after 4 patches

I was mixing it way too thin last month in my garage in Phoenix and a guy at the hardware store told me to use a 5-gallon bucket and a paddle mixer for exactly 3 minutes no more, has anyone else had this issue with texture mismatch?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryanh778d ago

My 5-gallon bucket cracked from the sun before the mud even went on.

theaw658d ago

Wait, did you say you were mixing it too thin? That would actually make it MORE likely to crack, not less, cause thin mud shrinks a ton as it dries. The real issue with cracking in Phoenix is usually the heat sucking the moisture out way too fast before the mud has a chance to set properly. Next time try dampening the area with a spray bottle first and mix it to a peanut butter consistency, not soup. Also 3 minutes is fine for the paddle mixer but honestly you don't need to be that exact about it, just mix until it's smooth. The texture mismatch is probably from using all purpose mud for a topping coat instead of lightweight or plus 3 compound.