A homeowner in Tempe pointed out my tape lines were visible under their new LED lights, so I switched to a wider 6-inch knife for the final skim coat.

Has anyone else found a specific tool or technique that helps with those harsh modern light setups?

2 comments

2 Comments

Switching to a wider knife is key. I also keep a bright LED headlamp on my head while I work, shining it at a low angle across the wall. It shows every single flaw while the mud is still wet so you can fix it right then. A quick sand with a pole sander and 150 grit after the primer dries gets the last bits.

the_phoenix17d ago

Switched to a 12 inch trowel for the exact same reason, those LED floods show every tiny ridge. Started using a super bright work light from the side while I'm still working to catch shadows before the homeowner does. Sanding with a 220 grit sponge after the primer coat is dry helps a ton too, knocks down any last little imperfections. It's a whole extra step but it saves a callback.