Question about drywall mud: are we all overmixing it?

I’ve been watching some old timer drywall guys on YouTube and they just stir their mud with a stick for like 30 seconds. Meanwhile I’m over here with my drill and mixer whipping it into a frothy mess for 5 minutes. I tried the short stir method on a patch job last weekend and the mud went on smoother with less air bubbles. So is the drill just creating problems or are we all just doing it wrong? Who’s got the right take here - fast and simple or go full mixer?

2 comments

2 Comments

palmer.jana23d ago

Wait, you really tried the short stir method and it worked BETTER? I honestly used to think the drill was just about saving time and muscle power, but you might be onto something here. I always whipped my mud for like 3-4 minutes with the mixer attachment because I figured it was getting everything perfectly blended. But now I realize all that air was probably making my patches crack more and sand like garbage. I tried the stick method last week on a small repair and the mud felt thicker and actually stayed put without drooping. So I'm definitely with you now, the drill is just creating problems with too much air.

wright.jesse22d ago

Yeah have you ever noticed how drill whipped mud separates faster too? Like after you mix it with the drill and let it sit for a bit you get that watery layer on top. The stick method seems to keep everything uniform way longer. I think the real trick is just getting it combined without forcing air into it. Less air means less shrinkage and cracking period. Once you go stick you never go back.