Patching and Plastering - Drywall taping technique

I have a question about the thickness of the coats. I have been reading a couple of books which say to start the first coat with a layer of mud up to 1/4" thick, lay on the tape (paper) and then use the knife to press the tape against the wall. At this point, the mud on the wall will be quite a thin coat and there will be just a little mud over the tape from the excess which has been squeezed out during the drawing of the taking knife over the tape.

At this point, does one stop and let it dry or does one then place some mud over the tape and let if dry? If so, how thick a layer is the mud on the outside of the tape?

Another question: for a small patch, say a foot square, should one use fiberglass or is it too thick to use and should one use paper?

Thanks
Ken K

Here is a howto on drywall taping.

http://www.doityourself.com/wall/drywallinstall-e2diy0125.htm

I find the fiberglass to be easier to use, since it commonly comes glued and sticks to the wallboard eliminating the bedding step.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the post. I read and watched the animation.

My original question still goes unanswered, however, about how thick the compound is between the wall and the tape after the first pass and how much compound remains on top of the tape after the first coat before sanding?

Thanks,
Ken K

Like you read put about 1/4 inch of mud then your tape and mash it down. Don't worry about what squirts out. You don't have to let it dry but it is a good idea to let it set up a bit. For your first coat on bands or tapered seams, use an eight inch knife and fill in the tapered part. For butt joint use a ten inch knife and apply a knife full of mud on either side of your tape. Second coat do the same but use the ten on the bands and twelve on your butt joints. Then put a top coat on everything if you want it slick. Don't put too much on at any level or you will have a lot of sanding to do.

<<<<<Don't worry about what squirts out. You don't have to let it dry but it is a good idea to let it set up a bit.>>>>

OK, we are getting there. I put on the coating of mud, then mash it down, cleaning off the extra that squirt out, and tapering the coat out to 6-8".

When you say "You don't have to let it dry but it is a good idea to let it set up a bit", at what stage are you speaking? Are you saying that I should taper out the first coat and that I don't have to let that dry, only get tacky, and then put down my second coat?

Thanks for bearing with me. I am very appreciative of the input.
Ken

he means after you've squeezed out the mud from under the tape. Let it set up a couple of hours. The second coat must dry completely before finishing.

Thanks. I have plenty of time and assumed that is what he meant, so I put on the first coat and will let it dry thoroughly until tomorrow.

Thanks to all for the help.

Ken K