Drywall – What kind of compound for taping with paper tape

I have spent a great deal of time scrapping popcorn off ceilings. I don't know if that is the type of coating you are planning on, but I would tend to leave the ceilings smooth. I think that looks better. Textures ceilings were big in the 70's and 80's, but not so much now.

Sorry, not an answer, just my opinion.

You can use either all the way through. I have personally used both all the way through more than a few times and have mixed. There are generally some differences.

• the lightweight end mix is thicker, meaning that the regular can actually be better for a final coat since it goes on thinner
• the lightweight is easier to sand but I hardly sand... so this hardly ever helps me
• I personally think the lightweight dries out faster
• lightweight does scratch and dent easier due to less density

Pros will use the regular since they can use a "less fluffy" mix that feathers easier (with little to no sanding). But I could definitely see why a person with less experience would do the first two coats with regular and last two with lightweight.

Answers to your questions -

1. You are both a little right/wrong. If I had to choose I would pick him.

2. If he knows what he is doing he doesn't sand much and doesn't need lightweight.

3. I answered these above. The marketing for the lightweight is for the novice DIYer that hates to spend hours sanding...