Walls and Ceilings - Additives in drywall mud

I read in the forum about using dishwashing soap in mud to make it smoother.

Are there any other additives/tricks that would be helpful...I am particularly wanting too accelerate drying time.

I think I remember that salt in plaster of paris will cause it to set faster.

Is salt ever used in drywall mud?

Thanks, jimmymc

Hi Jimmy,

I use just a dab of liquid dishsoap in my mud for the final finish coat, you don't want it in your fill coats. Never heard of the salt in drywall mud thing & I've been at this for quite a while. As to quick drying time, you can buy quick set mud, most lumber yards carry it in 20 min, 45 min and 90 min varieties, this will be in powder form in a bag. Personally I don't use anything less than 90 min, because well I just don't get in that big of a hurry. ;)

I'm doing some catch-up repairs for several roofing contractors... usually small textured ceiling repairs/water damage.

Drying time is a major factor in how many trips to the site and setup time I do...to do fifteen minutes mud work.

I need to cut this wait time down to make these smaller jobs profitable.

I have been using the blue lid light pre-mixed mud.

I will look for the faster drying powder.

Thanks jimmymc

Last winter I saw a bag of USG lightweight durabond 5 min. mud. Thats right I said 5 min. 10 min. would be nice but 5 is rediculous. Also a little trick, when doing a patch with 20 min., mix up enough for 2 coats. Put the first coat on and wait until it's just about to go off on you then put on your next coat. 2 coats in 20 minutes.

Me I never use anythen faster than sheetrock 90 but it will dry extremley fast if mixed with HOT water.

Yeah Mudder's right about the hot water tip, with 90 min mud & room temp around 70 degrees, it'll be dry in less than an hour.

Hey...Thanks, Mudder that will help me a lot. My home store doesn't carry anything but 90.

I haven't checked at the local lumber yard yet.

Thanks again, jimmymc