Tapers

Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.

Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.

Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.

Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.

Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.

Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.

Work on high ceilings using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.

Select the correct sealing compound or tape.

Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.

Remove extra compound after surfaces have been covered sufficiently.

Install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.

Apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.

Check adhesives to ensure that they will work and will remain durable.

Sand rough spots of dried cement between applications of compounds.

Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.