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Rant: Pre-mixed mud isn't just for amateurs.
I know most guys swear by mixing their own powder for taping, but I think the good pre-mixed stuff has its place, especially for tight patches. I've had way less cracking on quick repairs in old houses when I use a quality bucket mix instead. It's just easier to get a smooth finish when you're not fighting the mud setting up too fast in weird spots.
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umaprice7mo ago
Wait, you get LESS cracking with the bucket stuff? Every time I've used it for anything bigger than a nail pop, it ends up with hairline cracks after a few months. The powder just holds up better once it fully cures.
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grant.paige7mo ago
I switched to USG Plus 3 for all my patch work. The trick is super thin coats and letting it dry fully before you sand. It sands so easy and doesn't shrink up like the cheap stuff.
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adamw117mo ago
Nah man, hairline cracks in bucket mud are almost always from bad prep or putting it on too thick. That stuff needs to dry, not cure like a setting compound. If you have a deep hole, you gotta fill it in layers with drying time between each. Those surface cracks just mean the top skin dried faster than the stuff underneath. For a real structural fix over big gaps, yeah, you want the powder stuff that sets hard.
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