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What’s the best method to finish butt joints with TapeTech finishing boxes?

Finishing butt joints in drywall is one of the most challenging parts of the overall drywall finishing process. There are a few different methods of finishing butt joints using automatic taping and finishing tools. Naturally, you will first tape the joint using the automatic taper (04TT or 05TT). The technique for finishing the joint with the finishing box will depend on the size of the finishing boxes that you use.   

If you use a 7” (175mm) finishing box for the first (embedding) coat, run the finishing box down the center of the drywall butt joint with the crown adjustment set to zero (0). Then make an additional pass on both sides of this joint. After this joint compound dries, make another pass down either side of the taped and boxed joint, skipping the center of the butt joint. The joint is now embedded. For the finishing coat (2nd application) and skim coat (3rd application), you’ll repeat these same steps using a 10” (250mm) or 12” (300mm) finishing box, respectively, and setting the crown adjustment to 2 or 3. Again, first run down the center of the joint and then make a pass on either side. Allow the joint compound to dry and make a pass down both sides of the joint, skipping the center of the joint again. 

If you like to use a 10” (250mm) finishing box for the embedding coat, run the box on both sides of the taped butt joint with the crown adjustment set to zero (0). After the joint compound has dried, run the 10” (250mm) finishing box down the center of the taped joint; the drywall butt joint is now embedded. Repeat these same steps with the 12” (300mm) finishing box for the finishing coat and skim coat with the crown adjustment set to 2 or 3. 

Depending on the butt joint and the framing behind it, you may still need to do some wipe down with a joint knife when embedding and finishing butt joints with finishing boxes. Try to keep manual wipe down to a minimum to ensure a good finish. 

These techniques are the same whether you use TapeTech Flat boxes, EasyClean™ boxes or Power Assist™ finishing boxes.