
Hot mud is also used on large drywall jobs for bedding-in mesh drywall tape. This allows the pros to tape and first coat seams all within the first day on a job. Many pros feel that quick-setting mud provides a stronger base coat and therefore protects better against cracking. Because of this, some use it as a first coat when finishing corner bead.
Full Answer
Is hot mud or pre-mixed drywall compound better?
However, the hot mud drywall compound gives you a tough bond and sturdy result. In addition, these compounds often dry faster than the pre-mixed versions. If you’d rather not wait around for hours to start the next step in your project, a hot mud drywall compound might be the right choice for you.
What is hot mud and how do you use it?
If you’re not sure how to use hot mud, or what it is, keep reading for the complete guide to the hot mud drywall process. What is mudding? Mudding involves layering thin coats of a special compound over the drywall joints, scraping it smooth, and ensuring that all cracks and crevices are covered so you have a nice, flat surface to paint later.
When to use joint compound instead of hot mud?
Typically when you can tape and coat a project and then come back the next day normal joint compound is the most efficient to use because of the lack of a need to mix it. There are however applications where hot mud is the “miracle” product. When I’m doing repairs I use 5 minute hot mud exclusively.
What is the difference between hardening and drying in hot-mud?
When it comes to hot-mud, there is a difference between hardening and drying. Hot mud hardens by means of a chemical reaction. Manufacturers mix different amounts of hardening agents into the material causing it to set up at different times. Hot mud is packaged according to the time it takes to harden.

Should I use hot mud?
Commonly called "hot mud," quick-setting compound is ideal when you need to finish a job quickly or when you want to apply multiple coats on the same day. Sometimes called simply "setting compound," this form is also useful for filling deep cracks and holes in drywall and plaster, where drying time can become an issue.
Is hot mud better for taping?
5:096:53Hot mud basics - Drywall Instruction - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's really hard to get it good uniform to tape and coat and so a lot of times there's bigger voidsMoreIt's really hard to get it good uniform to tape and coat and so a lot of times there's bigger voids to fill. And hot mud works excellent.
Can you use hot mud for final coat?
Topping mud is used as a final top coating. It dries to a bright white and is easy to sand, making it a good choice for walls that will be painted a light color. Topping mud has less adhesion properties than all-purpose mud, so it's not suitable for first and second coats.
When should you sand hot mud?
0:043:28Easiest Way to Sand Hot Mud! Diy Drywall Repair Tips and TricksYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's when it comes time to sand hot mud. I've got two coats of 20 minute mud up and I'm using a wetMoreIt's when it comes time to sand hot mud. I've got two coats of 20 minute mud up and I'm using a wet rag. And a sanding sponge. And I'm gonna go ahead and sand the edges down. Before.
How thick can hot mud be applied?
However, you can apply it up to a thickness of 12 centimeters (4.72 in). It would be best to keep it flush with your walls, so the thickness may vary depending on the spot. In general, you'll want to apply the mud in the thinnest layers possible.
How long before you can paint over hot mud?
At the far end, drywall mud, also known as joint compound, needs to dry for 24 hours between each coat and before sanding, priming, and painting. The 24 hour drying time recommendation can be applied to nearly all factors.
Can you use mesh tape with hot mud?
Hot mud is compatible with mesh tape, which doesn't require a bed coat like paper tape. Instead, mesh tape is self-adhesive, so you can apply it directly to the seams and then mud over it with hot mud.
How long does hot mud take to dry?
Hot drywall mud is a powder that's mixed with water to form a joint compound that cures within 20-60 minutes. This is a fast drying time given drywall mud can take up to 24 hours to dry.
Why is it called hot mud?
“Hot mud” is simply a term used to refer to the drywall compound that you mix up yourself. The word “hot” indicates that once you mix up a batch, you'd better get started and use it quickly because it will begin to set within the amount of time listed on the bag.
Does hot mud dry faster?
Providing Heat Is the Best Way to Dry Drywall Mud In the same way a clothes dryer dries a load more quickly on "Hot" than on "Cool," so does warm air speed up the joint compound drying time.
Does hot mud shrink less?
6:3714:03All Purpose Joint Compound or Fast Setting Mud? Which do you need ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not going to shrink anymore it locks it into place at Camp shrink. And you can't really hurt itMoreIt's not going to shrink anymore it locks it into place at Camp shrink. And you can't really hurt it. So you can go ahead and put another coat on it's going to chemically keep hardening. And it allows
Can you use hot mud for texture?
If you use powdered joint compound, be sure it isn't setting-style, or "hot" mud. There are many reasons not to use hot mud for texturing -- for example, it will harden inside your spray gun and ruin it. It also may set too quickly for you to knock it down.
What kind of mud do you use to tape?
All-purpose mud is commonly used as a first coat because the bonding agents in the mud cause the drywall tape to hold better. All-purpose mud is harder to sand and not often used as a finish coat. Topping mud is a form of dry mud that is lighter than all-purpose. It is best used for final coats.
Can you use mesh tape with hot mud?
Hot mud is compatible with mesh tape, which doesn't require a bed coat like paper tape. Instead, mesh tape is self-adhesive, so you can apply it directly to the seams and then mud over it with hot mud.
Can you use hot mud for texture?
If you use powdered joint compound, be sure it isn't setting-style, or "hot" mud. There are many reasons not to use hot mud for texturing -- for example, it will harden inside your spray gun and ruin it. It also may set too quickly for you to knock it down.
Can I use 45 minute mud for taping?
For deep filling, 20- or 45-minute compounds are a good choice. For embedding mesh tape, choose 90 minutes or longer. You can mix small batches with a putty knife, but for larger amounts, a powerful drill with a mixer is best.
What is hot mud?
The plastic lining keeps moisture out and preserves freshness. Keeping the powdered mud dry is critical. When water comes in contact with hot mud it begins an irreversible chemical reaction that causes the mud to harden.
How does hot mud harden?
When it comes to hot-mud, there is a difference between hardening and drying. Hot mud hardens by means of a chemical reaction. Manufacturers mix different amounts of hardening agents into the material causing it to set up at different times. Hot mud is packaged according to the time it takes to harden.
What is Durabond mud?
Durabond ® is a trademarked name that refers specifically to a product made by USG ®. It was one of the first types of quick setting drywall mud that was used extensively in the workplace and for this reason the name became ubiquitous with quick setting drywall mud.
How many gallons of drywall mud is in a box?
Most often, the boxes of mud are also 4.5 gallons in volume but occasionally you will find 3.5 gallon boxes.
What is pre-mixed drywall mud?
Pre-mixed drywall mud is, as the name indicates, pre-mixed and ready to use. Pre-mixed drywall mud is almost always thinned with water before using. The amount of water used depends on how the mud will be applied. For example, bedding in tape requires a thinner than normal consistency.
Why is hot mud called hot mud?
Why is it called "hot" mud? We cannot be dogmatic as to the reason but there are a couple of possibilities. As the mud hardens, the chemical reaction creates a small amount of heat which may be a reason some people call it hot mud. On the other hand it could be just an idiomatic description emphasizing that you have to move quickly once mixed because it will harden up on you if you don't finish within its specified time.
How long does it take for hot mud to set?
Actual working time is generally less than the time listed. For example, 45-minute hot mud may begin to set up in 30-35 minutes. The working time can vary slightly depending on a few factors. High humidity or cooler temperatures causes hot mud to take longer to set.
Garage Drywall: Hot Mud vs. Premixed Joint Compound
I have started to tackle the garage makeover, and the very first thing I needed to do was repair the unfinished drywall. Because there is so much junk in the garage, I decided I would tackle it wall-by-wall.
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Can you mix water with potato masher?
I suppose that you could add your water and mix it up with one of those potato masher things if there was no power . But who wants to work without a radio anyway. I'd say wait to tape until the power is on!
Is hot mud fast drying?
i do agree with capt. hot mud is a quick setting compound , not fast drying.
Do builders want us to go in and out as fast as they can?
Where we live the builders have accepted the fact their greedy b@stards and want us in and out as fast as they can so they can get their money. They will supply us electric heat even in the summer, so we have no drying issues. Better to make a fast nickle than a slow dime (sorry,no british translation for that).
Why do I use hot mud instead of drywall?
The reason I tried filling with hot mud instead of a drywall patch is it saved time, and was less messy, then cutting a patch and enlarging the hole in the wall to fit the patch.
Can you sand hot mud?
One reason to avoid it is that hot mud is so much harder to sand than premixed. Nowadays the hot mud formulas are getting so that you can sand them ALMOST as easily as premixed. Also, hot mud is a little bit tougher to feather out around a patch, at least in my experience. I would use some tape around the perimeter of that patch for your follow up coats just to make it a stronger patch.
What Is Joint Compound (Drywall Mud)?
Joint compound, or drywall mud, is a thick, substance designed to smooth-out the gaps between drywall panels, corners, and edges. It’s sometimes called drywall mud because it has a consistency similar to mud.
What Is Spackle?
Spackle is also a paste used to fill in gaps in walls., but it’s better suited for smaller jobs.
Joint Compound vs. Spackle: Differences
The main reason joint compound and spackle are different is their ingredients. It’s worth noting, though, that they do have some overlapping components.
When to Use Joint Compound vs. Spackle
If you’re wondering when to use spackle vs joint compound, joint compound is for sealing new drywall installations. So, if you’re building a new home or office, you would use joint compound to finish off any seams. You would also use joint compound if you were doing a complete remodel that requires tearing down existing walls.

Mechanism
Results
- Actual working time is generally less than the time listed. For example, 45-minute hot mud may begin to set up in 30-35 minutes. The working time can vary slightly depending on a few factors. High humidity or cooler temperatures causes hot mud to take longer to set. Hot dry conditions can cause 5-minute mud to set before you even get a chance to sp...
Symptoms
- It is important to remember that the time associated with quick-setting drywall compound is the hardening time, not the dry time. For instance, even though 45-minute hot mud may harden within 45 minutes, it can take several hours to dry completely depending on ambient temperature and humidity levels. When using hot mud you will notice it turn from dark grey to white. The mud is n…
Benefits
- Quick-setting drywall mud is great for small patch jobs where you don't want to wait 24 hours before applying a second coat. Hot mud is also used on large drywall jobs for bedding-in mesh drywall tape. This allows the pros to tape and first coat seams all within the first day on a job.
Advantages
- Many pros feel that quick-setting mud provides a stronger base coat and therefore protects better against cracking. Because of this, some use it as a first coat when finishing corner bead.
Usage
- Quick setting mud is rarely used as a finish coat. Quick setting mud is more difficult to sand than \"lightweight all purpose\" mud which makes it very difficult to create truly smooth surfaces. Even when hot mud is used for coating patches, a skim coat of lightweight all purpose mud is often used to finish the patch. Topping compound is used less often then all purpose or lightweight mu…
Title
- Why is it called \"hot\" mud? We cannot be dogmatic as to the reason but there are a couple of possibilities. As the mud hardens, the chemical reaction creates a small amount of heat which may be a reason some people call it hot mud. On the other hand it could be just an idiomatic description emphasizing that you have to move quickly once mixed because it will harden up on …
Terminology
- Sometimes you will hear hot mud referred to as Durabond®. Durabond® is a trademarked name that refers specifically to a product made by USG©. It was one of the first types of quick setting drywall mud that was used extensively in the workplace and for this reason the name became ubiquitous with quick setting drywall mud. It is similar to the term Sheetrock® which is also simpl…
Types
- When shopping for drywall mud you may notice different types of pre-mixed mud. The three most commonly used are \"all purpose\", \"lightweight all purpose\" and \"topping\". There are of course several other types of joint compound available however these are the most common.
Applications
- All purpose drywall mud, as the name indicates, is made for all applications. All purpose mud has bonding agents that increase the holding power of drywall tape so it is good for bedding in seams. It is sometimes used to first coat seams and corner beads. It is not often used as a finish coat because it is more difficult to sand than \"lightweight all purpose\" joint compounds. However so…
Characteristics
- Generally speaking, they are compatible with one another. Joint compounds can be used over each other but most manufacturers do not recommend mixing the compounds together. It is always the best practice to refer to the manufacturer's specific recommendations.