How to Hide Drywall Joints

Go over the installed drywall and look for any screws that stick up above the surface. Use the 8-inch taping knife and run it over the seams; if it clicks, some of the screws are too high. Tighten up the screws or hammer in the nails that click and then run the taping knife over the seams again.

Peel back 6 inches of drywall tape from the roll and press the tape, sticky side down, onto the drywall at the top of a joint. Hold the top of the tape against the drywall with one hand and unroll it along the length of the seam with the other. Cut the tape at the bottom of the joint.

Run the 8-inch taping knife over the tape to secure it in place, and firmly press it against the drywall. Continue taping until all the seams are covered.

Scoop out joint compound into the compound tray with the 8-inch taping knife. Dip the 12-inch drywall knife into the joint compound and spread it over the drywall joint. Apply enough joint compound to cover the tape and an area 24 inches wide along the length of the seam. Continue until all the seams are covered.

Work the joint compound into the corners, using the 4-inch joint knife. Keep working the joint compound to get it as smooth as possible to reduce sanding time later. Allow the joint compound to dry for 4 to 6 hours. When the compound is dry enough, it will turn from dark gray to light gray or white.

Sand the joint compound, using a sanding block with 120-grit drywall sandpaper. Wear a mask to protect your lungs from the fine dust. Sand the joint until it is as smooth as possible. Wipe away excess dust with a dry rag.

Apply a second coat of joint compound to even out any spots that sank during the drying process or areas that did not get fully covered. Use the 12-inch drywall knife for large areas. For smaller areas, use the 8-inch taping knife or the 4-inch joint knife.

Allow the compound to dry for 4 to 6 hours. Sand the second coat of joint compound with 150-grit sandpaper. Once the surface is smooth, look for any areas that need more joint compound. Apply a third coat of joint compound if necessary. Sand the final coat with 220-grit sandpaper to create a smooth finish.