Taping ceiling joints

This TapeTech video goes over the basic function of applying tape with the automatic drywall taper, and picks up where Taping wall joints leaves off. If you haven't watched that video, we suggest that you do as this video supposes that you have watched the first video. 

Most everything in this video will apply to all other automatic drywall taper brands as well. 

Some of the basics covered in this video are:

  • How to handle the weight of the automatic taper properly, and starting in one corner of the room
  • Keep both drive wheels of the automatic taper touching the wall when beginning each joint to improve traction, then as the head of the taper starts to lead out in front of you, you can tilt the bottom end of the tube down, and just ride on one wheel. Tilting the taper on ceiling joints helps prevent joint compound from pressing out from behind the tape and raining down on the floor. Learning how much to tilt will certainly be easier for you to learn on the wall than the ceiling, so give that a try if it's too difficult on the ceiling.

When cutting tape

  • When cutting tape with the automatic taper the most important thing to remember is to come to a complete stop. Do so about 3 inches away from the corner or opening in the wall where you want the tape to stop. Pull the control tube all the way back quickly and firmly. make sure you have a fresh blade installed so that your taper isn't bunching tape up inside the head of the machine.
  • We highly recommend you and make it a point to begin to advance the next tab of tape while you are rolling off the last portion of tape that you just cut.  This will do 2 things:
  1. As you roll off, the gun is putting compound out. Advancing while you roll off will put joint compound on the new tab of tape for you, (where you want it)
  2. It will also prevent the drive wheel from getting loaded up with the mud that should end up on the tape.