How can we fix the noticeable difference in sheen on the walls after removing batten strips, applying mesh drywall tape, mudding, and painting over?
Asked by Ayşe Balaban 
3 weeks ago
Last Updated: October 30, 2024
How can we make this blend in better? We took off the batten strips, put on some mesh drywall tape, mudded it, and painted over it. But now those spots look shinier. Any ideas on what to do next?
Did you try using a paint and primer combo? If you did, that might be causing the issue, and you might need to smooth out those seams a bit more.
Definitely need to apply a drywall primer or another type of primer. The mud is soaking up the sheen from the topcoat, so an all-in-one paint and primer won’t give a consistent finish on new drywall mud. Widening the joints might also help. I typically use a 12″ knife on both sides of the joint to make the joint around 16″-20″ wide.
Drywall Finisher/Painter 🙋♀️
1) if you need to make your patch bigger, it will be less noticeable.
2) apply primer
3) add two coats of paint; the first coat should cover a larger area than the primer, and the second coat should be larger than the first coat.
Pro tip: sand the patch and surrounding area after the primer has dried to ensure the texture matches your existing paint layers.
I’m facing a similar problem with new drywall in my construction project. It only has one coat of primer so far, and I can still see the mud seams. Some seams are barely noticeable, but others were not sanded down properly. I’m wondering if I can sand them now before painting.
As others have mentioned, you will need to widen the patch and smooth out the seams to about 24″ to 30″. Then lightly sand to smoothen the finish on the joint compound. To identify areas that still require work, shine a bright light down the wall at a near angle. Illuminate the wall from the side of the window as it provides the strongest light source in the room. Flaws such as raised and recessed areas will be clearly visible as they will create shadows on the wall. Sand down the raised spots and apply joint compound to the recessed areas. After sanding, the wall should appear even without shadows. Butt joints are more difficult to detect the wider they are. Remove all dust and apply at least 2 coats of high-quality primer to the patched areas. Fresh joint compound acts like a sponge and absorbs paint, resulting in visible stripes. Two coats of primer should suffice to seal the joint compound. Remember to lightly sand and wipe with a tack cloth and vacuum between each coat. Proceed to paint the wall with a premium paint. You may need 2 coats, so remember to lightly sand and remove dust with a tack cloth and vacuum between coats. Best of luck!
Is it just one layer of paint?
Primer is essential, using primer instead of paint is not a viable alternative
If you notice bumps on the wall, it’s likely that your mud joints need to be wider and smoother to achieve a seamless finish.
Welcome to the internet! Can you clarify what you mean by ‘batten strips’? Are you referring to lath?
You mentioned applying mesh drywall tape, but where did you apply it? And in what direction?
After that, you plastered it… with what exactly? Plastering can involve various materials. What did you use?
It’s important to provide accurate details rather than guessing. Without clear information, it’s hard to help.
When working with new drywall or mud, it’s essential to always apply a primer. Without priming, the paint will not adhere properly.
Re-prime the entire wall to maintain consistent texture before painting it…avoid using a primer-paint mix as it may not yield the desired results.
Rehang the blinds