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Tried paper tape over mesh on a big ceiling job and I'm not going back
I've been using mesh tape for years on ceiling repairs cause it's faster to stick on. Last month I had a 12x20 foot ceiling that had some old cracking around the seams and I figured paper would hold up better against the flex. Man was I surprised... the paper tape bonded way tighter with the mud and I didn't get any bubbling like I usually do with mesh. Took a little more time to bed it in but the finish was smoother with way less sanding. My helper even noticed the difference and asked what I switched. Have any of you guys made the swap the other way and regretted it?
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knight.xena1mo ago
That bit about "didn't get any bubbling like I usually do with mesh" really hit home, I've been there so many times with mesh on ceilings and it drives me nuts. I actually made the switch from mesh to paper about two years ago on a big job and I'm with you, I never looked back either. The way paper tape bonds is just different, you can feel it when you're mudding that it's grabbing tighter. And yeah, the less sanding part is huge, especially on a ceiling where your arms are already dying. Honestly I think mesh has its place for small patches but on any seam work paper is the way to go.
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taylor.mary1mo ago
My trick for paper tape on ceilings is to pre-wet the tape in a bucket of water for about 5 seconds before applying it to the mud. It lets the paper soak in and grab way better, I haven't had a single bubble since I started doing that. Makes the whole process smoother and you don't get that frustration of having to poke and fix air pockets halfway through.
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