Using Hot Mud Joint Compound - The "Miracle Mud"

Hot Mud, aka fast set joint compound, or chemically hardening joint compound, is a terrific product for the plaster repair person. And, it works equally well for drywall finishing. It is so versatile, and has so many uses, that I call it my "miracle mud."

That said, it also has some limitations, the principle one being that you have a limited amount of time to use it up before it starts to harden. So ... it takes some getting used to, but once you are familiar with how it behaves, you too will discover what a marvelous product it is.

Hot mud comes in sacks of powder. Depending on the brand you are using, it comes with various time parameters. For example, the product line I use comes in 5 minute, 20 minute, 40 minute and 90 minute varieties. The working time for each is clearly marked on the bag.

Because longer setting times are readily available, a newcomer to using quick set compound can opt for the 40 or 90 minute bags, so he is not quite so pressed for time. It is always a good idea to make smaller batches. You don't want to have to throw partial batches out because your stuff is hardening before you can use it up.

Here's how you mix it. For small projects, I use a small mud pan. When I am doing plaster patching or a small taping job on drywall, I often make a small batch of 40 or 20 minute mud, mixing it right in the mud pan I will be working out of. For my brand of mud, I usually figure that I will get a volume of mud of the right working consistency of about twice the volume of the water I am putting the powder into. With a small pan, when full, I have about a quart of material.

I fill my mud pan about 40 percent full of water, slowly adding the powder and stirring it up with my 4 or 6 inch taping knife. I can usually get the lumps smoothed out before I am ready to use the mud. Mixing a small batch like this takes me about 2 or 3 minutes. I try not to stir the mud more than absolutely necessary, because too much stirring will cause the setting time of your batch to shorten. Now, 20 minute mud becomes 15 or 10 minute mud.

This is also why it is not a good idea to use an electric mixer for mixing larger batches of hot mud. You can cut the working time by as much as half or more.

Why is hot mud so great? First, it can be a huge time saver. You can do one operation, then a few minutes later, after it is hard, go right back over it with the second step in the plaster repair or taping project. Without the setting time feature, you would have to wait 12 to 24 hours for things to dry before you can continue.

Because hot mud contains glue (like all taping and regular all purpose joint compounds), you can use it to glue backing materials in place for filling in holes in plaster or drywall. Hot mud is great for filling gaps and small holes that regular compound can't handle (because it shrinks too much). Once it hardens, fast set mud quits shrinking. You can tape with it, top coat with it, even texture with it - provided you can work within the time restrictions.

Some varieties of quick set compound are harder to sand than others, so I often top my work with regular joint compound.

One caution: every time you finish using a batch of this stuff, you have to thoroughly clean all the tools you used, as well as the mud pans, buckets, etc. Otherwise, the debris left behind on your tools and container will cause the next batch to go off quicker, reducing your working time.

A great cleaning tool are those little orange plastic scouring called Mister Tuffy, if you can find them. Other plastic scouring pads will also work. In general, these work better than scrub brushes. And last of all, you must mix your batches in CLEAN water. Again, to allow you to have full working time.

Now, go do some miracles.

Edwin Brown has been serving clients on the west coast of the US for over 35 years as a plaster and drywall repair and renovation specialist. To get his free email course, HOW TO REPAIR YOUR PLASTER RIGHT, go to http://www.plaster-wall-ceiling-solutions.com/plaster-repair-instruction.html

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