Surface PreparationQuestion 16 of 100

When patching a larger hole in drywall, why is joint compound often applied in multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat?

a.Thin coats dry more evenly and shrink/crack less than one thick coat
b.Thin coats change the wall color
c.One thick coat is always stronger and preferred
d.Thin coats eliminate the need for sanding

Explanation

Thick applications of joint compound shrink, crack, and take much longer to dry. Building up the repair in thin, progressively wider coats produces a flat, crack-free patch that feathers into the surrounding wall. Each coat is allowed to dry and is sanded or wiped before the next.

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