Ahh memories... Just about forgot the first time that I did
my first tape and mud job....

Reason why I forgot it was because using paper tape was a nightmare
that I would like to forget. I know I know, some people love it, I
personally loath it.

Fiberglass mesh tape was the way to go for me.
Its somewhat sticky (so you can first tape up a whole room at once)
then you go around and use your favorite joint compound.

Seams look great (cant find them) and I havent had a crack yet (hey its
only a few years now)

Do yourself a favor and buy a small role of this stuff (its next to the
conventional paper tape) and give it a shot.

Charles Lockhart wrote:
I'm working on my first drywall project. I used paper tape for the
joints. I think I followed the directions, essentially I spread on
a layer of jointing compound, put the tape over that, spread on
another layer of compound, let it dry, did another coat, let it dry,
did another coat, all done.

But then I started sanding yesterday, and for several of the joints
I started sanding into the paper tape before the joint was flat.

So I think for at least some of the joints, my first layer of
compound was too thick, and now the tape isn't far enough below
the joint surface. Is there a way to fix this? Can I sand out the
joint and re-tape it, or is it so bad that I need to tear down and
start over?

Thanks for your time,

-Charles