Matthews’ Painting Company Paint It Forward: A Community Commitment
February 26, 2025
The Proper Way to Mix Drywall Mud: How to prepare Easy Sand Quick Set Joint Compound
March 20, 2025
Before tackling a drywall repair, it’s helpful to understand the differences in 20, 45, and 90-minute joint compound. Choosing the right type of joint compound, also known as drywall mud, ensures efficiency, a smoother workflow, and a high-quality finish. As part of our drywall repair services at Matthews’ Painting Company, we use Easy Sand joint compounds, also known as quick-set joint compounds. These compounds come in 20, 45, and 90-minute varieties, each with specific advantages depending on the job at hand. The names Quickset 20, Quickset 45, and Quickset 90 are based on how quickly each joint compound sets up and dries.
In this blog, Jason Matthews, owner of Matthews’ Painting Company, explains the differences and best practices for using these joint compounds.
Why Choosing the Right Joint Compound Matters
Whether you are a professional painter or a homeowner tackling a DIY project, understanding how to select and use joint compound correctly is crucial to the success of your drywall project. Different drying times impact workflow, efficiency, and final results. Choosing the wrong type of joint compound leads to wasted material, unnecessary cleanup, or an inefficient repair process. With the right knowledge, you can ensure smooth application and a durable finish.
Watch Owner Jason Matthews’ Explain the Difference between Joint Compounds on YouTube!
Overview of 20, 45, and 90-Minute Joint Compound
Quick-set joint compounds are designed for different types of projects based on the required working time and drying speed:
- 20-Minute Joint Compound: Best for small repairs and fast turnarounds.
- 45-Minute Joint Compound: A balanced option for mid-sized repairs.
- 90-Minute Joint Compound: Ideal for larger projects where quick drying isn’t necessary.
Best Uses for Each Type of Joint Compound
20-Minute Joint Compound: Quick Fixes and Small Jobs
The 20-minute joint compound sets rapidly, making it ideal for:
- Small-scale repairs like patching a few nail holes or minor wall damage. (Usually two to three coats are needed.)
- Jobs that require same-day sanding, priming, and painting.
- Projects where efficiency is key, such as a single bedroom or kitchen.
Key Consideration: Since it sets so quickly, working with too much at once can lead to waste and a difficult clean up process. To avoid hardening in your pan before use, mix only small amounts at a time.
45-Minute Joint Compound: A Versatile Choice
The 45-minute compound offers a balance between workability and drying time, making it a great choice for:
- Mid-sized repairs in a single room.
- Patching multiple areas without the risk of premature hardening in the pan.
- Situations where a slightly longer working time is beneficial.
Pro Tip: This compound allows for a more controlled application without the rush of a 20-minute setting time, reducing unnecessary cleanup and waste.
90-Minute Joint Compound: Best for Large-Scale Projects
The 90-minute joint compound is ideal for extensive drywall repair jobs where rapid drying isn’t needed, such as:
- Repairs throughout an entire home.
- Jobs where same-day sanding and priming are not required.
- Ensuring work-ability over a longer period, reducing waste.
Pro Tip: When tackling large jobs, this compound gives you plenty of time to apply and smooth the material, helping to achieve professional-quality results. This is our most-used joint compound at Matthews’ Painting.
Tips for Speeding Up Drying Time
If you need to accelerate the drying process, you can use these techniques:
- Use a fan or hairdryer to help evaporate moisture faster.
- Mix with hot water to speed up the chemical setting reaction.
Additional Compounds for Specific Repairs
Beyond quick-set joint compounds, Matthews’ Painting Company also uses other specialized products for different types of drywall repairs:
- 3M Patch Plus Primer – This is a type of Spackle. It’s a ready-to-use product perfect for filling nail holes in walls and trim.
- Ready-Mixed Compound (Plus 3) (and All Purpose)– This is already in paste form and does not require mixing. Plus 3 is used primarily for ceiling texturing since it remains workable for longer periods, allowing for precise texture matching. Quickset dries too quickly and makes it much more difficult to get a good match to a ceiling texture.
Why Proper Joint Compound Selection Matters
Using the right joint compound for each project not only saves time but also ensures the highest quality finish. By understanding the differences between 20, 45, and 90-minute joint compound, you can confidently choose the best option for your next drywall repair.
Full Service Drywall Repair
If tackling drywall repair feels like too big a task, give us a call! Matthews’ Painting Company has been in full-service Drywall Repair since they started their painting and drywall repair business over 25 years ago. Some of our Drywall Repair Services Include:
- Holes, dings, dents, etc, are patched and sanded smooth.
- Nail or Screw Pops are removed if necessary, replaced with new screws 1 inch above or below the area, and repaired accordingly.
- Stress cracks or bad drywall corners are fiberglass or paper taped first, then repaired accordingly.
- Water damage and stains on drywall are primed with a stain blocking primer.
- Textured walls or ceilings are repaired and re-textured to closely match the original drywall texture.
- Poor drywall repair or texture work that exists from a previous painter or drywall contractor can be repaired to almost new looking again.
- All drywall repairs are primed prior to painting.
Ready to Refresh Your Space?
At Matthews’ Painting Company, we specialize in drywall repairs, interior and exterior painting, and ceiling texture matching. Contact us today for a free estimate on your next project. Call us at 574-834-3575 or book an estimate online anytime.
