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Tips & Techniques

Don’t Let the Mud Get Dry

Issue 257 - Feb/Mar 2016
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I keep drywall mud in my truck so that I’m ready for small repairs. When I got tired of the ever-present dried mud on the inside wall of the bucket, my wife made this stretch cover. She cut a 24-in. circle out of fabric called “cotton duck,” then serged its edge to prevent raveling. She turned it under to form a casing and put elastic in it.

To use the cover, I wet the fabric, stretch it over the bucket, and put a wadded-up damp paper towel in the middle for added moisture. I secure the lid with a bungee cord.

I have tested this setup over an extended period of time, and it works great; the mud stays damp and ready to use. It also makes getting into the mud a lot easier than having to pry off the lid.

Don Mathis, Macomb, IL

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  1. CraigWilson94533 | Dec 20, 2016 11:45am | #1

    Does the elastic secure the fabric to the lid or to the bucket? (Or what role does the elastic play?)

  2. Paul_V | Feb 03, 2019 09:10pm | #2

    An easier way to do this would be to stick an old yogurt or margarine tub into the mud and put some water in it.

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