Used to back butter every pre-fill, now I just skim and float

Back when I started doing drywall in Denver back in 2018, I was taught to mud the whole back of the board before setting it. Took forever and made a mess. Then I watched this old timer from Omaha do a whole basement in half the time just skimming the edges and floating the middle. Made me rethink everything. What do you guys do for big flat ceilings?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_diana1mo ago

I mean, my uncle's been hanging board since the 80s and he still back butters every single sheet. It's just how he was taught and he swears by it. But I've watched him do a whole house that way and honestly I could never tell the difference in the finished product from a spot where I just skimmed and floated. The only time I bother anymore is if the framing is really wavy and I need to shim the board out anyway. Otherwise I'm with that old timer from Omaha. You save so much time and your shoulders don't ache as bad. But hey, if someone wants to take the long way, that's their choice. I just don't think it matters that much in the end.

the_jana1mo ago

@the_diana just changed my mind on this, fair point.

alexbennett1mo ago

Wait, so you're telling me @the_jana actually admitted someone changed their mind on the internet? That's like spotting a unicorn riding a skateboard.

taylorshah1mo ago

Man honestly your uncle probably picked up that habit when rock lath was still common and back buttering actually mattered more. I've tested both ways on the same wall before and you're right, can't tell a difference once it's bedded and taped. The only time I'll still do it is on ceilings with really bad framing, otherwise my wrists thank me for skipping it. Is it really worth the extra time if nobody can see the difference after the mud dries?