Home Improvement How-To's: Finishing Outside Wall Corners

Outside corners often take quite a beating, so it is a good idea to reinforce them with a metal corner bead. This is nailed to the outside corner, then joint compound is applied. Keep in mind that you should allow a day for drying for each coat of joint compound on corner joints. Pick a time to tackle this project when you won't mind having a wall "under construction" for a few days.

 
SKILL SCALE
Medium
 

TIME REQUIRED
Finishing outside corners should take you a total of 2 to 4 hours spread over three days.
 

TOOLS
Hammer
Level
6- or 10-inch wallboard knife
Wet sander
 

MATERIALS
Wallboard nails
Steel corner bead
Wallboard compound
 
STEPS
 
Step 1 Position the steel corner bead on the outside corners and use a level to adjust the bead to make sure it is plumb. When you have the bead positioned as you want it, nail it into position with wallboard nails spaced according to your local building codes.
 
Step 2
 		 Use a 6- or 10-inch wallboard knife to cover the corner bead with wallboard compound. Apply three coats, letting each dry and shrink overnight before applying the next coat. Then use a wet sander to smooth the final coat.