Setting A Standard. Taping Sequence, Tools, Materials

HawaiiBuilder

Business has been slow here in Hawaii as a General.

Past two years have been doing own drywall on residential jobs, under 150 sheets. Did the framing, hanging with own crew, bought Northstar complete set, Graco Mark V and hired taper to lead during finishing since carpenter crew never did any taping before.

The thing is that i've seen many poorly finished jobs in my time, always having to go back to touch up and float out walls after painting, corners especially. It takes us a little longer to complete, but I'm able to have them do it until I see the desired results.

I will spending some money to market company this year as a drywall sub.to get more work. Train the workers and have a company standard operating procedure for consistant results and so that when bringing in new workers, I won't have guys doing it their own way, the way they always did it at the other company.

My goal is start building a reputation for residential and light commercial work for smaller Generals. Please keep in mind that in Hawaii, most of the drywall companies who have been around are all Union.

Most homes here are orange peel ceiling and walls, more are going to smooth level 5 walls with darker semi gloss or eggshell colors and commercial almost always level 5, except sometimes have to match exsiting knockdown when building out space.

I've been taping and glazing flats and corners on first day, No coat beads on all corers, 325 on off angles, also spot screws with all purpose and run 8" box on joints and corners with plus 3.

Second day quick sand with Porter Cable, pole, sponge. Spot screws, double wide butts with 10", 12" on joints all using Plus 3.

Third day quick sand with Porter Cable 180-220 grit, pole, sponge, spot screws, feel wall, and skim out corners and flats with 8"'14" knife all with plus 3, sand, mask, texture.

If going further to smooth finish, I've tried quick prep primer and smooth wall product sprayed with Mark V before. Brings the wall together but was expecting a thicker sandable coat.

Should we spray All Purpose, Plus 3 instead ?, sand and touch up.

Would like to hear on different techniques and products.

KLB