Should I remove old tape or can I mud over painted wall to new ceiling drywall, and is it necessary to mud big gaps before taping to prevent tape from popping up?
Asked by Eddie Wieland 
2 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
Hey, so the ceiling just got drywalled and I’ve been asked to mud and tape it (I’m a total newbie at this). Do I need to take off all the old tape or can I just mud and tape over the painted wall onto the new ceiling drywall? I started removing the old tape from one section but I’m not sure if that’s the right approach. Also, I’ve seen some videos where they say you need to mud the big gaps first, then tape it, mud again, and tape again. Is that really necessary? I’m worried about the tape coming loose later on.
If the old tape is properly cemented in, leave it. Mud it and tape it with good mesh tape. No second round necessary. I did my 1400 sq ft basement and never saw a seam afterwards.
Remove the old tape. Fill the large gap with hot mud or spray foam before mudding and taping.
Get rid of any loose tape and apply new tape using hot mud durabond 90. Alternatively, beginners can use joint compound with the green lid. It may take longer to dry, but it’s easier for those new to the process.
I’m just gonna be real with you (as someone who does plastering professionally), I really wouldn’t recommend trying to do this on your own. It’s not as simple as it seems to get a job like this done right.
I wish I had that advice about a week ago, ! I had a similar issue with my ceiling. While I did manage to fix it and make it look nice, I am done with drywall for good!
I’m fairly new to this, but I recently tackled the same task. I removed the damaged areas of the tape and replaced them with green mesh tape. After applying a few coats of mud and doing some light sanding, you couldn’t even notice.
This job is more suitable for paper tape rather than mesh. Also, having experience with tape and mud for inside corners makes the gap less of an issue. No need for filling with foam. It’s better to hire someone for this job as it can be more time-consuming than expected. https://drywallinsider.com/drywall-mesh-paper-tape/
Take off the tape. Use setting mud to fill the gap (the powder mix, not the mud from a bucket). Then retape the area.