Dude, use the premixed shit. Green top for setting tape and corner beads, Plus 3 for the second coat, ultralight for the final coat. You only have to scrape between coats, don't sand. Sand the final coat, then use 45 mud for any defects. Primer. Use 20 mud for defects. Sand and reprimer those areas. Caulk any cracks. Paint.
--very old contractor that's done it a million times.
My method is 5 minute for tape with 4 inch knife, bed the tape then one pass each half of the tape. Scrape the line in the middle. 5 minute with a 6 inch knife, one pass each half of the tape to fill the bone edge. 20 minute with a 10 inch knife one pass each half of the tape. Orbital sander with 120 or higher with a block for the end of inside corners. Spray or roll texture. Knock down any texture where you can spot defects, then spray/roll that area again. Paint.
It's about the fastest I can do it and guarantee it will be good. A lot of the time though we end up skipping the second pass to save time.
5, 20, or 45 mud should never be used to set tape, it says so right on the bag. If you can get away with it, great, but I use greentop or Plus 3. Nice and slow. Set up fans, second coat the next day. I always tell customers I won't do the job fast, but it WILL be done correctly.
As for orbital sander....I don't even know what to say to that. Heavy, loud, scattering dust everywhere, over-sanding...not what I would do, but hey, have a blast.
We do it all the time. We typically have to work within a 4-6 hour window.
Try the orbital sander out. You can hook up the collector directly to a vac. Set it about mid speed and move quick. It saves a lot of time and effort.
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