Switched from pre-mixed joint compound to hot mud for my basement taping job

I was dead set on using the pre-mixed buckets for taping the drywall in my basement because it's what I always used. But a guy at Home Depot said I should try hot mud for the first coat, said it'd save me from waiting overnight. I grabbed a bag of the 45 minute stuff and honestly the difference was huge. It set up hard and didn't shrink like the pre-mixed stuff so I could sand and move on same day. Has anyone else noticed less cracking with the powder mix?

2 comments

2 Comments

wadefoster29d ago

Oh man, the cracking thing is real! I used pre-mixed for years and always blamed myself for those little hairline cracks. But its the compound, not you. Hot mud just grabs the tape better and doesn't play those shrinking games. I still use pre-mixed for the top coats too honestly, just for the working time. But that first coat of hot mud is a total game changer. I dont have to freak out about the tape bubbling or coming loose (you know, that panic feeling).

the_logan1mo ago

Man that "set up hard and didn't shrink" line really hit home for me. I used pre-mixed for years thinking it was fine until I tried hot mud for a basement job too and it was like night and day. The cracking thing is real, pre-mixed always seems to leave those little hairline cracks no matter how careful I am, especially around butt joints. With the powder stuff I don't have to babysit it or worry about it pulling away from the tape overnight. I still use pre-mixed for the top coats because I like the working time but that first coat of hot mud is just better