If you are trying to tape and finish drywall for the first time, chances are high that you will do what I and nearly everybody else has done on their first attempt at this art: You will glob on lots of joint compound on the wall thinking that the sand paper will level off the humps and bumps. In the end you end up with a humpy-bumpy wall and drywall dust all over your home!

Sanding is not a good way to level the surface. Rather, you need to use your wide taping knives to level off the just-applied compound and also use your taping knives to level the surface before applying the next coat. Leave the sandpaper alone until the very end!

Here are the basic steps to taping a joint:

1. Place a coat of compound a little wider than the tape. Pass your paper tape quickly through a bucket of water, shake it off, and then place it over the joint. Use a 4" or 4.5" knife to imbed the tape tightly and remove excess compound.

2. After the tape and compound dry, use your taping knife to knock off any chunks or bumps.

3. Place a coat of compound over the top slightly wider than the previous coat. Use your 10" wide taping knife to remove excess mud and leave a level coat.

4. Use your wide knife to "knock down" the surface so there are no bumps or ridges. The knife will make the surface level whereas sanding tends to produce humps and bumps.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 several times.

6. Again use your knife to level out the surface. Place small amounts of compound to touch up any depressions, and then finally when all is level, use 240 grit paper on a 3.5" by 8" sanding block to lightly sand.

7. Prime and paint.

For more details on these steps with photos included, go to http://drywallinfo.com .