Taking on a home improvement project comes with many questions.
When installing or repairing drywall, many steps are needed to ensure a successful and smooth finish.
Between hanging gypsum board, taping, drywall mud, sanding, and priming, there are a lot of tasks to consider when completing a job.
When it comes to priming, many installers and homeowners wonder if drywall mud or joint compound will stick to Kilz.
Drywall mud will stick to Kilz. Using Kilz PVA drywall primer helps achieve a smooth and perfect finish on drywall. If you apply the Kilz primer and find you need to apply more drywall mud to finish the job, it will stick to the primer after it dries. Make sure to allow time for the Kilz to cure.
Completing a drywall installation job takes a bit of skill and patience.
Knowing all the ins and outs takes years of experience completing jobs.
This article will incorporate advice from experts to let you know all about whether drywall mud will stick to Kilz.
Can I Put Drywall Mud On Top Of Kilz?
Kilz PVA drywall primer helps achieve a smooth surface area during the drywall installation.
Applying joint compound on top of the drywall surface with a primer is easy once you’ve allowed the necessary dry time.
Drywall mud helps to create a smooth wall once the process is complete.
Sanding after applying joint compound is necessary to create an even surface.
However, over-sanding will damage the paper surface of the gypsum board and create imperfections in the wall.
When this happens, it helps to prime the damaged drywall paper.
Drywall compound or mud has difficulty sticking to glossy paint finishes but will adhere well to the primer.
The glossy surface is a bit too slick for the drywall compound and won’t stick well.
You won’t get the desired result if you apply the mud on top of latex paint or ordinary paint on the wall.
These types of paint are called finish paint and are very different from primers.
The Kilz PVA drywall primer is specially designed to ensure a better quality finish.
Do I Need To Prime Drywall With Kilz?
There are plenty of drywall pros who do not prime the walls.
While it isn’t necessary to prime the drywall surface, it is a great trick, especially if you are a beginner or amateur drywall finisher.
It isn’t necessary for you to prime the drywall; it will help increase the quality of your paint job.
There are many benefits of using Kilz on the wall. If you prime and discover you need more compound over drywall primed with Kilz, you won’t have any issues with it sticking to the wall.
Related: Do you prime drywall before tiling?
Here are some of the benefits of using Kilz primer on your next drywall project:
Seals Porous Surfaces For A Smooth Finish
When you apply a coat of fresh paint to drywall, it doesn’t come out smooth.
This is because the boards of drywall are very porous.
This porosity helps immensely with allowing drywall mud and paper tape to stick well but may cause issues further down the line.
Using Kilz primer helps to smooth over imperfections and create a perfect result.
Blocks Stains
One of the best things about Kilz is its ability to block stains.
If you have water marks or mold stains, the Kilz will cover these and block them from bleeding through.
To get the best results and prevent stains from bleeding through your painting project, it’s best to use Kilz paint prime.
Provides A Longer Lasting Finish
Applying primer is a quick additional step to ensure the longevity of your home improvement job.
It addresses many issues or problems on the surface before you apply the finish paint to your wall.
Walls often require touching up coats to keep them looking good.
If you prime, you won’t have to do touch-ups or additional coats as frequently.
How To Apply Drywall Mud To Kilz
Applying drywall mud to Kilz is very easy.
If you’ve already applied paper or mesh tape to the wall, you will likely have all the drywall tools and materials you’ll need to do the job.
Applying drywall mud to Kilz is not very different from applying it to raw drywall panels.
Here are some steps to get a great result from applying drywall mud to walls already primed with Kilz.
Make Sure The Primer Has Had Enough Dry Time
One of the most important things to do when applying drywall mud to Kilz is to ensure the primer has enough time to dry.
Ideally, wait 24 hours for the Kilz PVA primer paint to dry before applying any additional drywall compound or mud to the wall.
Mix Joint Compound To The Proper Consistency
Many joint compounds come pre-mixed, but if not, it is essential to get a good consistency.
You want it to be wet enough so it will stick to the wall but dry enough, so it doesn’t slide down the wall.
A good rule of thumb is mixing the joint compound so it is dry enough and doesn’t slide off the drywall knife but still sticks to the wall.
Another expert tip is to use an all-purpose compound when applying mud to a primed wall.
Allow Joint Compound To Dry Fully
It is vital to allow the joint compound to dry fully.
Allow for a full 24 hours after applying the drywall mud before sanding.
This is especially important in humid climates, where the drywall mud may take a bit longer to dry fully.
If you attempt to sand the drywall before it is fully dry, you will mess up the mud and make a huge mess.
Sanding before it is dry will result in you having to fully sand the mud and start over again.
Sand Dried Compound Down To A Smooth Finish
Once the drywall is completely dry, sanding will be much easier.
You want to start with a lower grit and work up to a finer grit paper to get a smooth finish.
Paint Area With Primer
Once the drywall mud has been sanded down to a smooth finish, it is time to prime the new mud.
This will ensure the spot you have fixed is not noticeable when applying the final coat of paint.
Apply Finishing Coat Of Paint
The final step is applying the finishing coat of paint.
This is the color and gloss you pick to get the desired results for your newly fixed wall.