Walls and Ceilings - How easy to use "hot mud" for touch-up?

We are painting the ceiling of our bedroom, and decided (as long as we are moved out of it) to repaint the walls as well. There are a view small chips and cracks in the plaster. Also, there are overlap seems from some old wallpaper (I am NOT removing the wallpaper). A drywall contractor said that it would be easy to hide these items with some hot mud.

Being reasonably handy, but never having used this before, I wanted to know if this is relatively straightforward and easy, or not worth the trouble? Do you need more than one layer? Do I have to wait a long time for it to dry before painting?

Thanks,

-john

He is probably refering to a product like Easy Sand. This is a drywall compound that comes in powdered form and is availiable in set ranges from 20 min to 90 min. You can sand it, recoat or paint after those times. I've only seen it at professional drywall places that sell drywall and related products only. It generally is used on the base or bedding coat, and maybe the one after, with regular joint compound used to finish.

Only mix what you will use in a short time, because the stuff sets up chemically in the time rated by the type you buy.

The mix is also available at most Pro Paint stores. Why? because painters can't wait 24 hours for mud to dry. The number on the bag more refers to the time the compound hardens however paint over time will be more as you'll see the compund is darker in some places because it retains the water longer. Use a mixer on a drill to speed up the dry time. For some reason the compound doesn't harden as quick when it's mixed by hand. Head the advice to work quick as it will go from workable to like cement in a bucket in a matter of minutes once the work time is exceeded. It can be used for a top coat however it might be easier to work from a premixed bucket if you would rather take your time on the top coat while gaining experience.