Drywall – Joint Compound was too dry, now what

There are huge differences. I am sure a professional tradesman can go over the exact specifics but here is my common man take (even though I have drywalled too many houses to remember):

• plaster generally sets more quickly
• plaster is thicker
• plaster can be applied more thickly (joint compound you get about 1/8")
• plaster to me is like working with thinset except you will see the plaster as thinset is almost always hidden
• joint compound can be sanded more easily
• joint compound is more prone to cracking (this is about application too)
• I would personally only use plaster for a very small area that is having cracking problems. I have done some plaster work and literally drove me nuts. Also I do not consider myself artistic. When applying plaster it is an art. If you over apply sanding it down is way harder than joint compound. I would never think about plastering all of a drywall in a house.

The only thing else I can add is I don't know what they consider slow plaster. I am sure that refers to the setting time. The plaster I have used starts setting in 30-60 minutes (hence my reference to thinset). Maybe they have something that lasts longer or maybe it is some combo plaster/compound.

I think it would depend on the amount of compound you're putting down the drain, what size drain, how much water is used to flush the tools, and probably a few other factors I haven't thought of. Though typically it's not a problem, as long as you're not pouring a whole tray of mud down the drain.

Scoop out any left over mud from your tray/hawk, and throw it away. Then rinse all the tools thoroughly.

NOTE: If you're using premixed compound, never put unused mud back in the bucket. Once the mud is out of the bucket, either use it, or toss it.