Tried pre-filling screw dimples vs filling after hanging. Night and day difference.

Spent last week on a 1500 sq foot basement job in Maplewood. Always filled dimples after all the sheets were up. Buddy told me to pre-fill as I go per board. Saves so much time. No more hunting down missed dimples. Anyone else do it this way?

3 comments

3 Comments

ninabutler15d ago

Pre-filling is like folding clothes right out of the dryer. Saves the second trip.

robert_smith369d ago

I get what you're saying @ninabutler but I gotta push back on the folding clothes thing. Pre-filling actually creates more work in the long run because you're making two passes at the screw holes instead of one. The mud shrinks back in those pre-filled spots so you end up doing a second coat anyway. Plus if you're not careful the pre-fill dries before your tape layer and you get a bump. Seems like skipping that step and just doing a fat first coat over everything saves time and gives a smoother finish. Why not just let the tape and mud ride together on the first go?

christopher40214d ago

Pre-fill means no drywall dust mixing into your mud later. You feel cleaner that way?