Drywall Taper

A drywall taper, also called a drywall finisher, is a skilled construction worker who prepares drywall surfaces for painting or wallpaper by applying paper/mesh tape and joint compound (mud) to seams, joints, and nail/screw holes, creating a smooth, seamless wall ready for final finishing. They use tools ranging from hand knives to specialized automatic "bazooka" tapers to ensure the surface is flawless, often learning the trade through on-the-job training or apprenticeships.

Key Responsibilities

• Tape Application: Applying paper or fiberglass mesh tape over drywall seams and corners.
• Mudding: Spreading and feathering joint compound over the tape and imperfections like screw holes.
• Sanding: Smoothly sanding joints and holes to a seamless finish after the compound dries.
• Repairs: Fixing damaged drywall and other surface blemishes.
• Tool Use: Utilizing hand tools (knives) or automated tapers (bazookas) for efficiency.

The Tapering Process

• Preparation: Inspecting the installed drywall for seams and holes.
• First Coat (Tape Coat): Applying a thin layer of mud and embedding the tape.
• Subsequent Coats: Applying additional thin coats of mud, sanding between coats, until the joint is invisible.
• Finishing: Achieving a perfectly smooth surface ready for primer and paint.

Tools of the Trade

• Hand Tools: Various sizes of taping knives.
• Automatic Tapers: Devices that apply both mud and tape simultaneously, like the "bazooka," significantly speeding up the process.