Joint compound has several finishing applications beyond basic repair.
Beyond its primary function of concealing blemishes and damage on drywall surfaces—such as correcting damage, covering fasteners, embedding drywall tape, filling holes, smoothing bumps, and repairing tears or other minor imperfections—joint compound serves essential purposes in the finishing process.
Based on the provided reference, other uses for joint compound include:
- Finishing Gypsum Panel Joints: Applying compound over the seams where two gypsum panels meet to create a smooth, continuous surface.
- Finishing Corner Bead: Covering the metal or plastic strips used on outside corners to make them durable and smooth.
- Finishing Trim: Applying compound where drywall meets door frames, window frames, or baseboards to achieve a seamless transition.
- Finishing Fasteners: Covering the heads of screws or nails used to attach drywall panels to framing.
- Skim Coating: Applying a thin layer of compound over an entire wall or ceiling surface to smooth out textures, cover minor imperfections, or prepare the surface for painting or other finishes.
These finishing applications are crucial for achieving a professional and smooth wall surface ready for priming and painting.
