The problem that many homeowners face after a drywall installation is a bad mud job and in most cases, it happens when they do it themselves or hire someone less experienced to do it for them. I’ve myself faced this problem months ago and here in this article, I’ve thoroughly discussed how to fix a bad mud job on painted drywall.
To fix a bad mud job on painted drywall, chip out the major mud bumps and then spread a coat of primer. After that, apply 2-3 layers of skim coat over and then let it dry for a while. Once it’s dry, remove the dust and debris using a simple sponge.
This problem won’t be a big deal to you as long as you have the right tools and a proper guide. You’ll learn in-depth how to fix this problem as you keep reading this article.
Signs Of A Bad Mud Job On Painted Drywall
Here they are as follows-
Bumps And Bubbles On Drywall Surface
This is the most common sign of a bad mud job. If you find bubbles, bumps, or any kind of evenness on your drywall surface, it means that the installer didn’t perform a good mudding job.
Visible Drywall Joints
If you can see the drywall joints through the paint, it means the installer didn’t apply enough mud or applied some low-quality mud.
Visible Fasteners Or Tape
Fasteners and tape are used to join the drywalls and without them, it’s impossible to attain a strong drywall foundation. So like the previous sign, you can see the fasteners or tape on your drywall through the paints, you have got a bad job done with your drywall.
So these are the common signs of a poor drywall mud job. Next, you’ll learn the fix to a bad drywall mud job that has been painted.
How Do You Fix A Bad Mud Job On Painted Drywall (4 Simple Steps)
Following are the exact steps that you have to take one by one to fix the bad mud job-
Flatten The Major Bumps
If your drywall has major mud bumps that are pretty noticeable then the first thing you have to do is flatten them. Use a sharp edge tool like a taping knife and chip out all the major bumps. Ensure to do it carefully to avoid causing any damage to your drywall.
Also, consider removing the puncture bubbles if there’s any formed on your drywall. Once it’s done, brush off the areas that need to be repaired with a dry paintbrush.
Ensuring wearing protective glasses while doing it to avoid getting dust in your eyes.
Apply A Good Quality Primer
Apply a coat of good-quality drywall primer on all the areas that are supposed to be repaired. You may use a roller or brush to spread it evenly from one end to the other end.
Once you’ve applied it, leave it for at least 1 hour so that it dries off completely. Make sure you’re not moving to the next step until the 1-hour duration is over and the primer is completely dry.
Apply The Skim Coat
Now, as the primer you had applied on your drywall has dried, it’s time to apply a skim coat over it. A skim coat is nothing but a layer of joint compound (also known as the drywall mud) that is applied to the drywall to give it a glass-smooth finish.
Make sure the joint compound (mud) you’re using is of good quality so that there are no inconsistencies in the finishing once you’re done skim-coating the repairing areas.
Apply the first coat of mud on the area you’re repairing and then let it dry overnight. Next day, apply the second coat and you’re done. Consider using a 6-in6-inch knife as it works the best for this job.
Remove Dust & Residue
Once the mud applied to the repairing area is dry, remove the dust and mud residue on the surface using a soft sponge. Don’t go for sanding as it may not be needed to be done in this case.
Now that you’ve done all the steps perfectly, leave the drywall to bone dry for a couple of hours and then paint it with the desired color.
So these are the 4 steps to fix a bad mud job on painted drywall. Don’t rush between the steps. Just be patient and follow everything as mentioned and you will end up with the best results.
Conclusion
Fixing a bad mud job on painted drywall is very important in order to make your drywall surface look super smooth and aesthetic. There can be many reasons that lead to a bad drywall mud job but with the help of a proper guide, it can be fixed with ease.
So this was all about how to fix a bad mud job on painted drywall and I hope you have found this article helpful. Have a nice day!