One of the common problems people come across is the drywall tape showing through the paint and people usually notice this problem after the paint is fully dry. As you’re looking to learn how to fix drywall tape showing through paint, I’m sure you’ve come across this problem and now you want to fix it up. Well, you’re at the right place because this article is all about how to fix this problem like a pro.
To fix drywall tape showing through the paint, first, remove the glossy paint with wet sandpaper. Then, apply a thin layer of drywall mud over the tape and let it dry. Once it’s dry, sand the area with sandpaper and then apply a layer of primer. After the primer is dry, apply the paint over it.
This problem of drywall tape showing through paint should be addressed and fixed quickly because it ruins the overall look of your drywall. Further in this article, I’ve explained how to fix this problem step-by-step in detail.
How Do You Fix Drywall Tape Showing Through Paint? (step-by-step guide)
So here are the steps that you need to follow in order to fix this problem-
Remove the Paint
If you’ve applied glossy paint over your drywall to get that well-finished glossy look, you have to follow this step first.
Before applying the joint compound which you do in the second step, first, you need to remove the glossy paint from the area where the tape is showing. The reason to do it is that the glossy paint is very smooth and non-absorbent so it just won’t let the joint compound stick to it no matter how thick you prepare it.
To remove the glossy paint from the affected area, the easiest way you can go is using a wet & dry sandpaper method. In this method,
- Soak an 80-grit sandpaper in water and then sand down the affected area with it.
- Once the paint starts peeling out, take a dry sandpaper of the same grit and sand down the affected area with it again until you’ve peeled out enough paint. If dry sandpaper doesn’t work effectively, go with the wet one again.
- After the paint is removed and the mudded surface is visible, dry the area with a cloth and then move to the second step.
Note- If you haven’t used glossy paint on your drywall or have used normal drywall paint, you can sand the affected area a bit with an 80-grit dry sandpaper as that is enough to rough out the surface for the joint compound. Unlike glossy paint, normal paints are absorbent and the mud easily sticks on them so even if you don’t sand it, that would still work.
Apply Joint Compound
The problem of drywall tape showing through paint occurs when an inadequate amount of joint compound/mud is applied to the seam area during the installation. Now, as you’ve done the first step, it’s time to apply the mud coat.
Prepare an adequate amount of joint compound and water mixture. Make sure the mixture is thick enough to stick to the drywall.
Now, apply a thin layer of joint compound mixture over the tape using a drywall taping knife. A 6-inch drywall taping knife is recommended in this case as it helps spread the compound easily.
Make sure you’ve applied an even layer of joint compound and the tape isn’t showing up.
Skim the Mudded Area
Now the next step is skimming the area well with your taping knife. Skimming helps you make the mudded area even and compatible with the rest of the drywall.
- To skim, grab your taping knife and scrape it over the mudded surface from one end to another so that the excess amount of mud gets removed.
- Repeat this step if needed to make the layer as thin as possible, but also make sure that the tape doesn’t start showing up. Be careful with this step.
Let the Mudded Area Dry
Now as you’re done with mudding the affected area, let it bone dry. Many people make the mistake of rushing to the next step once they finish mudding the drywall seam which is what results in a bad mud job.
Be patient and let the mudded area completely dry. 24 hours is considered an adequate amount of time for the mud to fully dry so make sure you leave it for that much time before getting to the next step.
Sand Down the Mudded Area
The process of mudding is incomplete without sanding it down with sandpaper. Sanding basically gives a polished look by making the mudded area smooth and a bit shiny.
- Grab a 150-grit sandpaper and start sanding the area in a circular motion with a light hand. Don’t force over it much otherwise it would turn uneven.
- Once the mudded area turns into a smooth surface, grab a dry towel and remove the dust from it.
Apply the Primer
Now that you’re done with 75% of the work, it’s time to finish the other 25% which comprises of applying the primer and paint. The primer ensures proper paint adhesion and makes the paint last longer.
- Get a good quality water-based (latex) primer for drywall and apply a thin layer of it over the mudded area using a paintbrush. Make sure the mudded area is completely covered with it.
- Now, leave it for at least 2.5 hours to completely dry before you paint over it.
The reason to use a latex primer is that it makes the drywall look even. Other primers aren’t as good as latex primer for drywall so make sure to avoid them and use only latex primer for best results.
Apply the Paint
Now, it’s time to get your hands on the final step which is applying the paint. Get the same paint that you had applied earlier on your drywall so that it matches with the rest of the surface. Also, grab a clean paintbrush.
- To paint the affected area, get a little amount of paint in a paint tray and dip the brush in it.
- Now, apply a thin layer of the paint over the primer coating and make sure it’s fully concealed.
- After that, leave the paint to dry. To know how much your paint takes to dry, check the paint can for recommended drying time.
- Once the paint is dry, take a thorough inspection of the whole drywall. If the primer is visible or the painted area looks lighter than the rest of the drywall which rarely happens, apply another thin layer of the paint. Now let it dry and it should look even and flawless.
So this was about the steps that you need to follow in order to fix drywall tape showing through the paint. Make sure you go with all the steps mentioned to get the results that you want.
Conclusion
Having issues with your drywall after its installation is common especially when you haven’t had it done by an expert. One such issue is drywall tape showing through paint which is a clear sign of a bad mud job or paint job and it must be addressed and fixed to avoid having a bad-looking drywall.
With the help of the steps I’ve mentioned above, you can fix this problem with ease as I’ve done it myself for my drywall. Don’t rush between the steps if you want to get the job done perfectly.
So this was all about how to fix drywall tape showing through paint and I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Have a great day ahead!