Is Premixed Drywall Mud Good? Setting Compound Vs. Premixed Mud

Today, generally, we use two types of mud/compound in drywall. Those are setting-type powder compounds and premixed compounds. So there is a big confusion about drywall mud which is good.

Is premixed drywall mud good? It depends on work. The setting compound is best for covering big joints, a huge repair job, or taping. But for little joints and unfinished surface repair, the premixed mud is good. 

However, we can find different types of premixed mud used for any drywall project in the market. 

In this article, I will explain some important facts about premix drywall, like the difference between remix and powder compound, the type of premixed drywall mod, and more.

Drywall mud premixed vs. setting type powder mud: what is the difference?

When you go to work, you need to have a basic understanding of the project. These two compounds are good for specific areas and projects. 

Here is the quick comparison table in which you can understand the material. 

	Premixed mud compound	Setting compound
Primary uses	Any type of drywall which has little joints or unfinished surfaces	The drywall which has big joints or big repair jobs also uses this compound use on plaster
Ease of Use	Very easy to apply, beginner + expert friendly	Need extra work to prepare the powder compound to mud properly, not very beginner-friendly
Indoor / Outdoor Use	Only for indoor use	Same! Only for indoors
Adhesion	Adhesion ability is good	Pretty good additional ability
Durability	Good durability	It also has good durability
Dry Time	It takes a minimum of 36 hours to dry completely. Weather is a big factor	It takes less time than premixed mud. start drying within 5-170 minutes and completely dry take 12-24 hours. Weather is a key factor
Water need	It needs very little water to prepare the mud, and sometimes it does not need water.	It needs a good amount of water to prepare the mud
Coverage	Best for long areas, like all drywall surfaces	Good for short areas like big holes, damage, joints etc fixing
Maintenance	Not need any maintenance after applying	Same! Not need future maintenance.
Appearance	Primary looks white	Same! After preparation, it has no different looks compare with premixed mud
Cost	Cost is higher than the dry compound	Quite cheaper than any premixed mud up

Types of premixed drywall mud

In the market, you can find a lot of different types of premixed drywall mud. But there are some types which are commonly used. Within those, there are two types of mud. 1. All-purpose joint compound 2. Topping compound. 

Within the all-purpose joint compound, there are more than 3 categories. 1. Heavyweight all-purpose compound 2. Midweight all-purpose compound 3. Lightweight all-purpose compound.

Quick comparison of each other

	Heavyweight compound	Mid-weight compound	Lightweight compound	Topping compound
Primary uses	High level and hard taping. First coat mudding	Mid level taping. First or second coat mudding, with automatic tool for ceiling or wall texturing	Not good for taping, best for second coat mudding, good for ceiling and wall texturing manually	Top coat of drywall seams. Not for mudding. Can be use for texturing ceiling and wall
Ease of Use	Hard to lift, hard to apply	Mid-level, not hard as heavyweight	Easy to apply	Easy to apply
Durability	Very good	good	bad	bad
Average Weight (par gal)	20lb	11lb	8lb	8lb
Spread and sand ability	Very hard to spread and sand	Mid-level to spread and sand	Very easy to spread and sand	Easy but not for sand
Protection	Heavy and good protection for any type of hard scratch	Mid level protection from scratch	Low protection, should prime after apply this mud	Low protection from scratch

All-purpose joint compound

This type of compound mainly uses every type of mud project. You can be taping, mudding, and priming with this type of compound. 

However, it’s three types of options, giving it a specific best area to apply. 

Heavyweight all-purpose compound

This is a very heavy compound to apply. Par 1 gallon around weight 20 lb, where midweight and lightweight compound 11 and 8 lb. 

It is very hard to spread and sand. And the most durable compound mud in the market.

This type of compound is best for taping, repairing plaster, repair any big holes and joints.

When this mud dries properly, it becomes the hardest finish ever. And it is resistant to any type of scratches or big damage.

This mud is best for the first coat.

Midweight all-purpose compound

This type of compound is not as hard as a heavyweight compound or not as light as a lightweight compound. 

This compound is spared easily, and after drying, it can be sand. 

Popularly used with automatic taping tools. 

This mud is best for fixing small or medium joints that cover mid-level unfinished areas.

Lightweight all-purpose compound

Lightweight compounds are very low durable and light in the market. It is very easy to sand and spread.

This compound can be used for manual typing projects; it is not good for any automatic tool. 

It is good for texturing the ceiling and wall. After applying this mud, you should prime drywall as fast as possible to prevent stretching.

Topping Compound

This type of compound is very low used today. This compound mainly uses the top coat of drywall seams. 

Give very bad results for tap mudding. This compound is used for any lightweight project. example: skim coat.

This mud is good for texturing the ceiling and wall.

I already explain about spray mud for texturing, you can check.

Can I mix premixed drywall mud with paint?

You can mix premixed drywall mud with paint. But this paint should not be a general type of paint. Its name is Tint, which can be used with the compound for coloring.  

The Tint comes in a small bottle with a darker color. This small amount of tint colors applies to a higher amount of mud. However, it would be best if you used it with the proper amount. If you use the tint color higher or lower amount, you cannot get the right mud color. 

Can I use premixed drywall mud for skim coat?

You can use premixed drywall mud for skim coat. but general premix compound should not use as a skim coat. because the compound weight is heavy. You should choose toping compound, for example, plus 3 joint compounds.

Toping premixed mud skim coat makes wall top coat surface more smooth. A proper smooth surface very easy to clean, good resistance of mold, dirt, moisture.

For this coat, make the paint color more bright and look clean. Top skim coat with flat paint is a great combination to apply.

I always say everyone should not skip this step. However, it is not the primary part for apply. But always recommended.

Conclusion

Premixed drywall mud is a pretty good decision to go with. You can use it anywhere very easily, from beginner to expert projects. 

I hope you learned something new from the article. If you think this article is helpful, please share it with your family and friends.