Apply Second Coat and Build Joint Width

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one complete second-coat application widening and leveling every flat seam, butt joint, inside corner, outside corner, and fastener requiring recoating within the room or area identified on the finishing log.

B. Coating-Location Schedule (Component Schedule)

Location	What Is Applied	Guide Reference
Flat tapered seams	Second coat extending beyond the first coat, feathered to the panel face on both edges	Tapered edge of adjoining panels
Butt joints	Wider, gradual coat spreading buildup across a wider span than a flat seam	Panel end-to-end joint line
Inside corners	One side coated at a time when required, maintaining a straight corner line	Chapter 10 embedded tape corner line
Outside-corner bead	Both flanges widened evenly from the Chapter 11 first coat	Bead nose and panel plane
Recoated fasteners	Additional fill where shrinkage or dimples remain visible after the first coat dried	Panel plane at each depression

C. Material Takeoff

• Compound: the drying-type or setting-type joint compound identified in the approved finishing specification, in the quantity required for the seam, butt-joint, corner, and fastener footage in the area.
• Water: clean water within the manufacturer's stated addition limit for the identified compound.
• Consumables: damp cloths for cleaning bead noses, trim edges, and adjoining surfaces during application.

D. Reference Conventions

Use the second coat, widening, butt joint, corner line, heavy center, and hollow definitions given in the Reference Conventions table above for every entry on the finishing log.

E. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Flat-seam width	Second coat extends beyond the first-coat edge on both sides with a feathered transition to bare panel
Butt-joint buildup	Coat spread gradually across a span wide enough that no abrupt buildup is detectable by hand or straightedge
Inside-corner line	Corner line remains straight along its full length with no wander or offset
Outside-corner coverage	Both bead flanges widened evenly with consistent thickness from the corner outward
Fastener recoat	Every recurring shrinkage or dimple filled flush with no visible depression under side lighting
Flatness	No hollow, heavy center, edge ridge, or uneven corner buildup detectable with a straightedge before the coat sets
Drying condition	The completed coat dried fully under the temperature and humidity conditions stated in the compound manufacturer's instructions before Chapter 13 begins

F. Preparation and Defect-Repair Procedure (Steps 1–6)

1. Verify the first coat is fully dry and free from moisture discoloration. Check representative fasteners, bead runs, and assigned joints from Chapter 11 for dryness and normal color before proceeding.
2. Scrape high ridges and remove dust without damaging tape. Use the 10-inch knife to remove only what would prevent the new coat from lying flat.
3. Inspect for loose tape, bead movement, cracks, or fastening defects. Check every flat seam, inside corner, and bead run against the Chapter 9, Chapter 10, and Chapter 7 acceptance standards.
4. Repair defects before second coating. Reset loose tape, replace a moved or crooked bead, or correct a fastening defect using the applicable chapter method before proceeding.
5. Select knife or trowel widths appropriate to flat seams, butt joints, and corners. Use the 10-inch knife for flat seams and fastener recoating, the 12-inch knife for butt joints and corner-bead flanges, and the corner trowel or applicator for inside corners.
6. Prepare compound to the product-controlled consistency. Mix to the manufacturer's stated consistency using clean water within the stated addition limit.

G. Flat-Seam, Butt-Joint, and Corner Coating Procedure (Steps 7–13)

1. Apply the second coat over tapered flat seams, extending beyond the first coat. Center the wider knife on the joint and let the coat spread past both edges of the Chapter 11 application.
2. Feather both edges to the panel face. Lighten knife pressure as the pass reaches the outer edge so the coat thins to nothing at the panel surface.
3. Apply a wider, gradual coat over butt joints to reduce visible buildup. Spread the coat across a span noticeably wider than a flat seam so the buildup is not concentrated at the joint center.
4. Coat one side of inside corners at a time when the system requires it. Allow the first side to set before coating the second side if the product or corner tool requires it.
5. Maintain a straight corner line. Sight along the corner as you coat and correct the knife path immediately if the line begins to wander.
6. Apply the second coat over outside-corner bead, widening both flanges evenly. Use the bead nose and panel plane as guides, matching the technique used in Chapter 11.
7. Recoat fasteners where shrinkage or dimples remain. Fill any depression still visible after the first coat dried, using the same technique as the initial fill.

H. Flatness Inspection and Correction Procedure (Steps 14–20)

1. Maintain consistent pressure to avoid ridges and lap marks. Keep knife angle and pressure steady across the full length of each pass.
2. Clean compound from bead noses, trim edges, and adjoining surfaces. Wipe drips and overspread immediately with a damp cloth before they set.
3. Check joint flatness with a straightedge before material sets. Lay the straightedge across each coated joint and corner while the compound remains workable.
4. Correct hollows, heavy centers, edge ridges, and uneven corner buildup. Add compound to hollows and knife down heavy centers, edge ridges, or uneven buildup before the material sets.
5. Allow the second coat to dry completely. Follow the manufacturer's stated drying or setting time before proceeding to Chapter 13.
6. Inspect under raking light and mark areas needing final-coat correction. Identify any remaining low spot, ridge, or inconsistent corner for attention in Chapter 13.
7. Document drying conditions and unusual defects. Complete the finishing log entry for the coated area, noting any condition that requires attention in the final coat.