As with most jobs, being fully prepared is the most important part of the job. Make sure you know exactly what you need to do in getting ready to "mud" the walls. You will need to get joint compound. This is available in a powder that you add water to, or premixed. There are different textures of compound (also called "mud"): taping compound to be used for the initial taping is course, and topping compound which is used for finishing, is thinner. You can also get all purpose compound, which has a texture somewhat in the middle which can be used for either purpose. Wear a mask and protect surfaces when sanding.

Make sure all of your nails and screws are properly sunk by running a taping knife over the seams and sink any that stick out. Use taping knives to install apply the mud. Start with a narrow one and use a slightly larger one to feather out the edges.

No way around it, mudding a wall will take time, since you have to allow 24 hours of drying time between each compound application. First, there is the taping layer. Apply the compound and place jointing tape over the seams and smooth more compound over. Make sure all nail and screw holes are covered. After this layer, all spaces should be filled in and level.

Next, you have to apply two layers of compound to smooth out the surface. Using the taping knives of increasing size, ending up with a taping knife of up to a foot wide. Apply the compound, stroke each side, then a stroke down the middle.

Applying compound is not an easy task. You may have to use different pressure in different spots, for example, more pressure to the outside of the knife when you do the side stroke, even pressure when you do the middle stroke.

The last coat is the finishing coat. This is where real care will produce a superior appearance. Scrape a wide taping knife over the joints to get rid of all bumps and ridges. Thin out the compound or use topping compound and spread evenly.

For the best results in mudding drywall, you need two magic ingredients: patience and consistency. You may be anxious to finish up the job and get the wall painted, but allowing sufficient time between coats of compound for proper drying and sanding and smoothing after the last coat will give you professional looking results.