How to Use Spackling Tape
- 1). Dip the putty knife in the drywall compound and apply a thin coat of compound directly over the gap between two sheets or pieces of drywall. Rub the drywall compound with the knife to ensure the seam and its surrounding area are thoroughly covered.
- 2). Place a length of tape over the seam between two the pieces of drywall. The tape should be placed so that its center is directly in the middle of the seam, and should be pushed into the wet drywall compound.
- 3). Rub the tape firmly into place with a dry putty knife. You want to ensure that it has a firm stick on the drywall throughout its entire length. When using the putty knife over the tape, only rub in the direction of the ends of the tape. Rubbing perpendicular to the tape's direction will cause it to move.
- 4). Fold a piece of tape lengthwise down its center and place the tape along any inside corners of the drywall. Most drywall tape brands have creases down the center that make them easy to fold. Use the putty knife to force it directly into the joint, rubbing down the length of the tape on one side, then the other.
- 5). Sand the excess drywall compound off the area around the tape, once it has dried for the specified time outlined on the pail of compound, until you have a smooth finish. Repeat the process of mudding and taping, if necessary.
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