drywall compound

[ITE]

Im putting up some drywall in my bedroom and am wondering about the drywall compound (mud).
Im using the professional formula all purpose that is already mixed and am using the paper tape. the mud is cracking as it dryes on the first coat. Is this normal? I planned on using a finishing compound by the same brand for the final coats. will this fill in these cracks and dry smooth or is there something that Im missing? I mixed it thrually and did not water it down any. The drywall was dust free after I wiped it down and I have it fastened to the wall securlly so it doesnt flex any.

Any ideas???

[Rich]

Probably not enough water.. drying too quickly.

[ITE]

It has had 24 hrs to dry and is still a little wet in some places where it is thick. Is this normal?

[roger g]

At this time of year it takes much longer for the mud to dry and it sounds like you might have put it on thick. I've started to use the powderd stuff which dries in 90 minutes ( or so they advertise) and they make stuff that dries in either 30 or 45 minutes. I was always concerned that the stuff would harden before I used it but that has never happened because I usually only do small drywall jobs. Because it dries fast you cannot get it pre mixed. I've also started to used the "lite" stuff for finishing anf am very surprised how much better it applies. Just like butter. I still haven't figured out the 3-4 different types of finishing compound.
The one problem I did find was when I went to use some polly filler type stuff from a small tub to do some final finishing. When I went to sand the new stuff I found it to be a lot harder that the other stuff I put on and ended up sanding more off than I had intended to because of the different hardness.
To speed up drying use a heater and a fan. The only time I have it crack was when I applied it too thick but it eventually dried and I mudded the cracks.


roger

[Rich]

Could just be a bad batch of mud too.. maybe sat on the rack too long. It's not likely but would imagine it could happen. Did you mix well before using? I really haven't done enough drywall to give any further suggestions.. like i stated in previous posts - I'm not much for finishing.

[mjpliv]

If you apply the first coat too thick (you should be using a 4" knife) it has a tendency to pucker around the cracks. All you want to do with the first coat is set the paper tape.

[mfinley919]

Are you covering big gaps? With mud trying to span a gap bigger than 1/4 inch it is typical for it to crack. Just let it dry and put on another coat.

[BuildWritewell]

Use thin coats to help to eliminate the cracks or better yet apply a set fast powder compound for the first coat.

The cracks should still fill fine after the compound is completely dry.