I’ll start off by saying this-
You can’t really become the true master of your home just by staying in it. You have to be able to fix it as well.
Being able to take care of every nook and cranny of your home is certainly not an easy task. In fact, if you’re someone who wants to be a do-it-yourself homeowner, then you have to be prepared for almost anything.
And that’s where this review on the best drywall mud comes in.
For those who have some experience in dealing with drywall, they should get some serious help from this review. But, for those who have don’t know the best way to mud and tape drywall, there will be some tips for you as well.
As you progress along with us in the journey, you’ll find all the necessary features you should know about each and every product we will be showcasing today. Also, this is going to be a totally unbiased review, where we will be going through each and every feature with a fine-tooth comb and find out its worth.
So, we hope you will stick with us till the very end.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of 5 Best Drywall Mud
- Reviews of 5 Best Drywall Mud 2020
- 1. 3M Patch Plus Primer Lightweight Spackling: Best Drywall Mud for Cracks
- 2. Phenopatch Wbjc Rtu 3Lb: Best Premixed Drywall Mud
- 3. DAP 12330 Dry Time Indicator Spackle Compound: Best Drywall Mud for Ceilings.
- 4. US GYPSUM 380270072: Best Drywall Mud for Finishing
- 5. USG 381466 Lightweight All Purpose Joint Compound Ready Mixed
- How to choose the best drywall mud: a few pointers
- Tapping tips: before you get started
- Final Thoughts
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Comparison of 5 Best Drywall Mud
Product Image | Product Name | Weight | Color | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 16 fl. oz. 1 tub | Grey | ||
  | 3.5 pounds | Off-white | ||
  | 1-quarter tub | White | ||
  | 3.4-lbs. | Off-white | ||
  | 43-lbs. | N/A |
Reviews of 5 Best Drywall Mud 2020
1. 3M Patch Plus Primer Lightweight Spackling: Best Drywall Mud for Cracks
In case you’re looking for the best drywall mud to use, then the Patch Plus Primer Lightweight Spackle compound should clearly be one of your top choices.
Here are the reasons for such a claim:
First of all, if you consider using this offering from 3M, then you will not need any primer. This particular drywall mud works as a primer and spackle compound at the same time. So, there’s that.
Also, in case you’re wondering about the recovery time, then it's not bad at all by any standards. It does not take several hours. Your wall should be ready to paint in 30-35 minutes tops, which is great if you are looking for something with quick recovery times. Furthermore, upon testing, we also found out that it can hold screws and bolts with great rigidity.
Overall, for a product which can hold its ground and doesn’t crack or shrink easily, the 3M patch primer lightweight spackle compound is certainly a good, no-compromise best drywall mud for cracks of your home repairs, then you shouldn’t be worried with this one.
Pros
Cons
2. Phenopatch Wbjc Rtu 3Lb: Best Premixed Drywall Mud
Since 1865, the makers at DAP have offered a fair amount of decent construction-based mud products, some of which are still favored by the customers. And that is largely thanks to the quality and reliability of the items they have come up with so far.
And the Phenopatch Wbjc Rtu 3 Lb is no exception.
Whenever you’re thinking about the best premixed lightweight drywall mud, several things cross your mind. For instance, you think about how well will it conceal the repairs. Or how well will it hold the bolts and screws together?
In all fairness, the Phenopatch does all of these in a very noteworthy fashion. It is an off-white drywall mud. So, unlike some of the cheaper options out there, this particular solution shouldn’t have any problems blending in. Also, the rigidity is there, as well as the promise of keeping all your repairs hiding in plain sight.
All in all, for the price, it’s a solid buy for any user. So, you may want to try it out if you’re interested.
Pros
Cons
3. DAP 12330 Dry Time Indicator Spackle Compound: Best Drywall Mud for Ceilings.
The options for drywall muds are endless. But in case you’re looking for something to dry out quickly and be ready for sanding and painting, then the DAP 12330 Dry Time Indicator Spackle compound can help you out in your times of need.
Here’s why:
At first, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is one of the most unique options out there. Its distinct formula allows it to change color when your wall is ready for sanding or painting. This patent-pending technology is simply a blessing for all the DIY users out there, as there is no need to wait too long to get started on the walls.
Other features include resistance to cracking, proper concealment and easy usability. Although these features are really common, in this case, there’s a certain amount of finesse when it comes to the DAP 12330. For this reason, we see fit to call it the best drywall mud for ceilings.
So, we sure hope you have got some idea about the product so far. Without a doubt, our recommendation goes with it 100%.
Pros
Cons
4. US GYPSUM 380270072: Best Drywall Mud for Finishing
The SheetRock Gypsum joint compound targets the DIY masses with its reliability and usability.
For the most part, there’s not much to say about this particular compound. Let’s sum it this way:
The SheetRock Gypsum joint compound combines all the necessary features.
What we mean to say is, this particular drywall mud doesn’t feature anything fancy. Instead, it gives you all the basic features with a grain of salt. And considering the price point, the SheetRock Gypsum joint compound isn’t unreasonable at all.
Apart from having the ability to properly seal your walls and blending in, the SheetRock Gypsum joint compound also shows little to no sign of cracking, which is certainly commendable. Although there isn’t any fancy new feature to set it apart, we think it is the perfect option for you if you don’t want to get into a whole lot of research. If nothing else, you can treat this as the best drywall mud for finishing.
Pros
Cons
In our best drywall mud review, so far, we’ve seen some very good joint compounds to spend your money on. But wait, there’s one more joint compound we would like to showcase before moving any further.
Before we begin, we would like to announce one thing clearly. This is, as of right now, one of the options if you’re looking for the best drywall mud for taping.
There are several reasons behind this claim:
First of all, it's really easy to use. From what we have gathered so far, this premixed lightweight all purpose mud actually makes sanding a really good experience. For a single package, it sure gets it all done without even losing a sweat.
Moreover, the USG 381446 is 35% lighter than some of the existing options out there. Also, you are getting a drywall mud solution which is resistant to cracking to a fair amount, which is commendable as well.
Overall, for such a taping and tapping compound, the price tag isn’t really that hefty at all. So, in case you’re wondering whether or not you want the right product to help you along your DIY projects, you can certainly check it out for good measure.
Pros
Cons
How to choose the best drywall mud: a few pointers
Now that you’ve had the opportunity to see some of the best options in the best drywall mud category, you need to know which one will suit you the most.
For this reason, we are putting together a list of pointers to help you find the best choice that meets your demands. Note that these are based on what we think. So, you may want to take all of the pointers with a small grain of salt.
- First of all, we have the all-purpose drywall mud. As the name implies, these types of compounds not only for embedding joints, but you can also use them for texturing and skim-coating as well. These types of pre-mixed mud are feature all-purpose formulae.
- The key advantage with these is that they are really good for getting started for DIY purposes. Also, the fast-drying times do complement the overall package. But there are some issues regarding the strength of such compounds
- Then you have the topping compounds, which are much better after the application of 2-coatings on the drywall joint. They have really low shrink ability, which makes them a highly viable option for reducing sanding times. These types of compounds are generally available in powdered form.
- Topping compounds are there for sealing concrete cracks. They feature very high adhesion and low shrink ability, making them the ideal options for multi-layer partitions. Also, they do feature a significant amount of crack resistance, which also allows them to be the top choice for joint tape embedding in the early stages of joint mending.
- For high humidity, you’d want to get your hands on some quick setting compound. These types of compounds are really useful if you want to get the job done quickly. By this, we mean if you want to apply multiple thin coats on the same day, then you may want to go this route.
- Overall, like any other sane person out there, we would ask you to go the all-purpose route. But depending on the use case, you may want to get going with any of the other options if the situation requires it.
Tapping tips: before you get started
What is the best way to mud drywall?
Well, there are various methods out there. But what matters the most is the steps you have to take before getting started.
- Checking for under driven screws or nails is a prerequisite. A drywall knife will certainly come in handy.
- Always try to tap the nails slightly below the drywall. This will ensure a better setting.
- Cutting away the loose paper if you want proper solidification in the weak spots. Otherwise, you will have to deal with bubbles which will poke through the final finish.
- A stain blocking primer will ensure there is no bleeding of any unwanted substances. This should be your next step to avoid any weak spots.
- Using masks and gloves are a prerequisite for your own safety.
Final Thoughts
We would like to finish off with a question- What is the best drywall mud to use?
The answer's simple- It depends on your use case.
So far, we have given you enough options to choose from. But still, if you feel the need for anything in particular then there’s always our guide for picking the best drywall mud for specific applications.
With that said, jumping on your DIY projects should be much easier now.
Cheers!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How thick can drywall mud be applied?
Ans: There is no finite thickness when it comes to drywall mud. You can use as much as you need but make sure to build it up in thin even layers.
2. Is mesh or paper tape better for drywall?
Ans: Mesh tape is easier to use, especially if you are a beginner. But, due to mesh tape’s elasticity, it develops cracks in the joints. Paper tape is stronger and more reliable.
3. How many coats of drywall mud do I need?
Ans: Ideally you should be using three or more thin coats of drywall and you should sand the wall in between coats to avoid bumps.