That 20-year drywall finish debate? I'm on the other side now

I remember when I first started hanging board back in 2011, everyone and their brother swore by the 20-minute hot mud for everything. But over the last 3 years on jobs around Columbus, I've switched almost entirely to a 90-minute mix for my taping coat. The 20-minute stuff forces you to rush, and I was getting too many bubbles and blisters on my seams. I timed a 1,200 square foot basement last month and my finish quality is night and day better with the longer set. Does anyone else feel like the all-mud crowd is missing out on a cleaner finish?

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1 Comment

noah9141mo ago

Respectfully, I gotta disagree here. I've been doing this for about 12 years now and 20 minute mud is my go-to for taping, it just forces me to stay focused and not waste time. If you're getting bubbles and blisters with it, that sounds more like a technique issue than a mud issue - maybe you're not mixing it wet enough or you're overworking it when it starts to kick. I've done plenty of basements with 20 minute and the finish comes out glass smooth as long as you keep your knife clean and stay ahead of the set. The 90 minute stuff has its place for big batch jobs or hot weather, but for normal rooms I like the speed and I don't feel like I'm losing anything on quality.