How to Install the Final Coat of Drywall Mud

Scoop drywall mud out of the bucket and place it in a mud tray. Scoop some out of the tray with a 12-inch taping knife.

Center the taping knife over the drywall seam. Hold the knife at a 30-degree angle with the drywall and drag it down the seam. Scoop out more drywall mud as needed. Stop when you have worked 3 to 4 feet along the seam.

Go back over the seam with the 12-inch taping knife. Removing extra drywall mud to form an even 1/8-inch-thick layer. Return the extra drywall mud to the mudding tray

Feather out the drywall mud strip's top and bottom edges with the 12-inch taping knife. Hold one of the taping knife's corners flat against the drywall. Angle the taping knife so the other end is approximately 1/8-inch higher than the drywall's surface. Move the taping knife down the length of the drywall mud strip.

Scoop more drywall mud out of the mud tray. Apply this mud 3 to 4 more feet down the drywall seam, starting where you stopped the first strip. Repeat Steps 3 and 4. Continue to apply more drywall mud and feather the edges until the entire seam has its final coat.