Didn't label buckets - Joint compound color reminder?

[Steddy]

I'm a GC that normally subs sheetrock but I am hanging and taping my own place. I knew better than to not label the three buckets - taping, all purpose, finishing - and the holidays/all of January have taken up time between rounds/floors (AMAZING how much longer it takes not hiring a crew ;). Since I want to make sure I use the right mud at the right time (I'm pretty sure I have the AP identified), can someone confirm or deny that topping/finishing is usually whiter in appearance and taping is more yellow; I assume from the glue?

Pretty sure I can feel the difference from feel and knifing regarding density, but I just don't fully trust my hunch. The brand is Hamilton.

Thanks -

[mudmastah]

Weight is the best way to tell unless you know your muds and than smell you can tell too. I use solely National Gypsum muds and can tell by weight or smell and sometimes taste.. I know its crazy. I/we use AP and Lite, no topping just 2 types. We use all boxes for costs control too and when I'm doing jobs I have 5 different colored lids for the buckets. Black/green always go to AP and blue/white and grey always go with the Lite muds. Peace, muddy

www.themudmasters.com

[Steddy]

Is less glue a cleaner taste and how would you describe different smells? So you use just regular AP and lite AP?

[mudmastah]

AP = All Purpose or Heavy. More glue content in Nat. Gyp. muds will have more a vinyl smell, taste is more of a Mud Max taste (elmers glue) Lite (ProForm) and you can leave the topping compounds in the store, but thats my opinion. Yes 2 muds Hvy. for taping only (paper tape) & Lite for fill, finish, beads and fastners. Proform EM for textures. Peace, muddy

www.themudmasters.com

[tomthetoolman40]

Muddy

Are you saying the heavy AP has more glue than the lite AP?

[Happy Home]

Mud - care to comment on Lite being soft fragile ? I avoid it on anything other than small stuff - it dries quick esp with a fan added.

But it is soft and subject to damage with the slightest ?

Corner beads, I can't see it ?

[mudmastah]

Muddy

Are you saying the heavy AP has more glue than the lite AP?

Tom, I am speaking for National Gypsum muds that I solely use and to my knowledge Lite is not considered AP or All Purpose and to answer your question, yes AP All Purpose or Heavy has alot more glue content in it, that is why we use it for taping only and Lite for fill, finish, beads and fasteners.

Steve, yes Lite is a softer mud vs. AP or heavy and it has its advantages with the main one being it sands so much easier than AP it also floats or tools easier too. If you have the time do the finger nail stratch test with your muds when applied and dried you will see a big difference between the two as the lite be a lot softer than the heavy. Yes Lite it will dry faster again do to the chemical make up is different than the AP/Heavy, it will also crack less on heavier fills vs. AP/Heavy, but with excelled dring both will tend to crack AP/Heavy more due to shirkage of the compounds and glue content.
Cornerbeads, rule: the harder the muds you use and if you hit the bead the bigger the chunk will come off, as long as you had the glue content to the muds the softer mud will not crack out as big of piece vs. a harder mud. Metal beads NO! old school and they will rust and dent, I use vinyl beads for 99% of my jobs stapled and legs taped and mudded. Bead failure = 0% because I am not securing into the framing member taking a chance on framing movement (no hairline cracks). Peace, muddy

www.themudmasters.com

[tomthetoolman40]

Muddy

Thanks for the lesson.

Here's what I use.....both are all purpose lite. This is why I asked. The heavier mud is available, but since I started using the lite AP haven't noticed a difference other than the lite weighs much less.
http://www.homedepot.com/BUILDING-MA...atalogId=10053

Since most of my jobs are small, I usually hot mud 1st then use the AP for a final coat for easy sanding.

[stamcon]

I usually use Westpac or USG and the AP is white, while the topping mud is yellowish.

steve

[parkwest]

I don't think I even want to know why guys are going around tasting their joint compound...

[commercial remodel]

Huh? You sound like a DIY to me. Don't the buckets have what's in them printed on them? Use the right mud at the right time? All my guys use is USG all purpose with the green lid unless they are using hot mud. Too thick for the third coat? Thin it a little. If I had to buy three different kinds of mud I would go crazy.

-Hal

[Kgphoto]

Using hot mud for the first two coats is a good way to go to reduce cracking and shrinkage.

[mudmastah]

Hal, a lot of us mudders use boxed mud (soley Nat. Gyp. muds here) for the cost factors and I have a set of taller paint buckets I use to mix in so that could be where some of the confusion is coming from. And if your using AP and catalyst muds for all your coats hope thats working for you. In production taping, we use 2 muds AP and Lite with the exception of some catalyst muds for pre fills. Patch and repairs mostly catalyst muds. Peace, muddy

www.themudmasters.com