The best way to master the art of drywall installation is just like anything else-practice, practice, practice. The bright side is that drywall panels are fairly inexpensive, and any errors in the work-if detected before painting-can be corrected without much fuss.
Of course, there are plenty of tricks of the trade that make life easier for professional "rockers." You can learn a lot of these techniques by visiting USG's website at
http://www.usg.com
where you'll find loads of installation guides and technical articles on Sheetrock. Or, buy a book. "The Ultimate Guide to Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging and Finishing" is an excellent, easy-to-read resource for the DIY'er to learn everything from basic repairs to more advanced topics, such as applying drywall to curved walls. Check out the book at
http://www.creativehomeowner.com
The more you learn and the more you practice, the more expertise you'll develop in the field of do-it-yourself drywall.
Ten Tips for Great Finishes
The drywall experts at USG offer the following professional steps for achieving a smooth finish.
List of 10 items
1. Keep tools and mixing containers clean at all times.
2. Use only clean water for mixing.
3. Add powder compounds to water when mixing - not water to powder.
4. Don't over-thin compounds with water.
5. Use setting-type compounds when time is short and job schedules are critical.
6. Never use drill-type mixers with speeds higher than 600 rpm.
7. Don't mix different types of joint compound.
8. Don't build high crowns over the joints.
9. Make sure joints are thoroughly dry before priming and painting.
10. Remove all sanding dust from surfaces prior to decorating.
Cutlines:
#1 A chalk line box fitted with a swiveling hook makes a great tool for marking long, diagonal cutlines in drywall.
#2 A 4-foot, T-square makes long, straight cuts a cinch.
#3 A quality utility knife is crucial. C.H. Hanson offers the 4-in-1 SpeedRocker knife equipped with a rasp and drywall saw. The Lenox Gold knife features a simple, switch-release blade change feature.
#4 All-purpose joint compound will fill nail holes and joint gaps.
#5 Companies such as Muro offer screw gun attachments that feed collated drywall screws for rapid fastening.
#6 A Spiral saw such as the RotoZip is great for making small cutouts.
#7 The Dremel spiral saw is equally as handy for cutouts.
#8 A keyhole saw is a simple hand-tool saw for making small cutouts.
#9 You'll need a variety of taping knives for placing tape and applying compound.
#10 A rasp is a surface-forming tool used to shave down rough panel edges.
#11 USG's Tuff-Hide product combines skimming and priming into a single spray-on application.