{"product_id":"muddskip-level-5-smooth-3-in-1-drywall-additive","title":"Muddskip Level 5 Smooth 3-in-1 Drywall Additive","description":"\u003cp\u003eMuddskip Level 5 Smooth is a powdered 3-in-1 drywall additive that you mix into your own joint compound. It isn't pre-mixed mud, and compound isn't included. It comes in a 2 lb bag or a 5-gallon pail. It handles seams, base coat, and finish coat for a same-day Level 5+ finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Mix It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne 2 lb bag goes into one typical 18 lb bag, 35 lb box or 4.5-gallon bucket of joint compound. Add water as needed to get the consistency you want. If you're mixing a partial batch, scale the additive down to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 5-gallon pail holds 40 lb of additive and is labeled for 20 batches. Scoop out 2 lb per batch, the same rate as one bag. The 2 lb bag works for a single batch, and the pail makes sense when you're mixing batch after batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSame-Day Coats, Wet on Wet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Muddskip in the mud, you can put the next coat on as soon as the last one is dry to the touch. You don't have to wait for it to dry all the way. To be clear, it doesn't make compound dry faster. It lets you recoat sooner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLevel 5 Smooth is built for a same-day finish. If you are using both formulas together, tape the seams with Heavy Duty and let them dry to the touch, which takes about 90 minutes depending on conditions. Then run Heavy Duty over the wall, and finish with Level 5 Smooth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSanding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo sanding is necessary unless you want to. Dried coats can be rehydrated and retooled instead of sanded flat. If you do sand, use nothing coarser than 150 grit, and 220 to 320 is preferred. All-purpose compound used as a finish coat can sand harder, so keep that in mind when you pick your mud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePicking the Compound\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMidweight:\u003c\/strong\u003e good for every coat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLightweight:\u003c\/strong\u003e for the final one or two thin, tight finish coats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAll-purpose:\u003c\/strong\u003e taping, bedding, blocking, filling and heavy repairs only, not finish coats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can mix Muddskip into premixed compound or into setting-type compound. Don't combine setting-type and premixed in the same system unless current technical guidance says it's OK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBonding and Surfaces\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn many substrates, you won't need a separate primer or bonding agent. That isn't true of every surface. Wallpapered or unknown surfaces may still need a sealer or primer first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSmooth vs Heavy Duty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmooth vs Heavy Duty, built for every finish. They're two different formulas, not two sizes of the same product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLevel 5 Smooth:\u003c\/strong\u003e seams, base coat, finish coat, and a same-day Level 5+ finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeavy Duty:\u003c\/strong\u003e seams, base coat, finish coat, and a same-day Level 3–4 finish, plus heavy repairs and textures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/timothystoolbox.com\/products\/muddskip-heavy-duty-3-in-1-drywall-additive-2-lb\"\u003eMuddskip Heavy Duty\u003c\/a\u003e is the matching formula when the job needs a Level 3–4 finish, heavy repairs, or texture work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBefore You Start\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the room between 55°F and 95°F (13–35°C) for 24 hours before finishing and while you work. Results depend on your compound, conditions, substrate and technique, so try it on a small area before you take it to a big job. It's a powder, so control dust when you mix or sand. The Smooth safety data sheet (SDS) is on the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.muddskip.com\/technical-data\"\u003etechnical data page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoing for a full skim? Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/timothystoolbox.com\/blogs\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-level-5-drywall-finish-what-to-know\"\u003eLevel 5 finish guide\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/timothystoolbox.com\/blogs\/blog\/a-complete-guide-to-the-different-drywall-finishing-levels\"\u003edrywall finishing levels guide\u003c\/a\u003e cover what each level takes. You'll find more mixes in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/timothystoolbox.com\/collections\/mud-additives\"\u003emud additives collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MudSkip","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41909589180474,"sku":"MDDMSSM2662","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0039\/5106\/7205\/files\/01-muddskip-level-5-smooth-2lb-bag-1000x1000.jpg?v=1794259146","url":"https:\/\/timothystoolbox.com\/products\/muddskip-level-5-smooth-3-in-1-drywall-additive","provider":"Timothy's Toolbox","version":"1.0","type":"link"}