I am taping and mudding my basement...i know i have to put 3 coats of mud on...?

Question

do i need to sand after each application or at the very end?

Answer 1

It's lovely that pcb wishes to announce his wonderfulness. I suspect that, since you have asked this question, an expert you are not. I was going to reply further, until I read the answer from KB. In short, it is both correct and non-insulting.

Answer 2

Not being experienced I would say yes sand ..AND DUST..after each coat except the taping coat..unless you have big globs left behind...a professional does not have to do this if they know how correctly..only the final "skim" coat needs lightly sanded....I have painted and done drywall for 37 years..i need no edges when I do the first two coats so no need to sand them for me..I do lightly sand the final skim coat though.....show me one of these self professed professionals here that have to sand every coat..and I will show you someone that might not be quite as experienced as they procalim to be...Now as you , as an individual...and not a professional..yes , I would sand inbetween coats..the dusting is extremely important after each sanding though..the dust will make your next coat of mud ball up in places,contaminate your good clean mud    and a few other unpleasing factors..here is a job I did that required removing all wallpaper...removing all the popcorn ceilings, re taping in places  and texturing then painting...I am experienced....

Answer 3

If you want it to look really clean and professional I would.  

Answer 4

yes you do both however on the inside walls put 2 coats instead of 3 and dont coat both sides same day

Answer 5

i would sand after each so that the next layer has a smooth surface to be applied to and so your not gouging chunks of mud out when you apply the next layer