Patent Publication Number: US-2009229196-A1

Title: Color Coded Drywall Finishing System

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to joint compound used for finishing drywall or plastered surfaces. More specifically, this invention relates to color added to the joint compound or other mixture used to finish drywall panel boards making the separate stages of the finishing process more easily distinguishable. This invention maintains its color after drying. 
     2. Description of the Related Art. 
     Drywall joint compound, plaster, spackle, or other mixtures used in the process of finishing drywall panel boards is typically white, off white, or light grey in color and maintain the same color after drying. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,528 B1 was issued to Ronald D. Krup on Mar. 11, 2003 for a spackle mixture that looses its color to indicate when it is dry. This spackle is distinguishable as it is made not to retain any color and to blend in with the surrounding surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,476,099 B1 was issued to Scott D. Cimaglio et al., on Nov. 5, 2002, describes an additive for drywall joint compound that reduces the cracking and shrinking of the compound used after drying. Although there is a disclosure of yellow iron oxide the use is distinguishable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,473 was issued to Harold Donaldson on Dec. 29, 1998 in which red iron oxide pigment was added to Portland cement to match an existing concrete surface. This is distinguishable by the pigment used to color a concrete surface. 
     The afore mentioned patents or ideas do not alone or in any combination describe the invention as it is claimed 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a method for distinguishing the separate stages of finishing drywall panel boards by using a contrasting colored mixture in each consecutive step of the process. The stages being the taping coat, bed coat, second coat, third coat, skim coat, and touch up or any combination there of. 
     It is the principle object of this invention to be a method for finishing drywall panel boards using color in such a manner as each stage of the process is to be easily seen by the unaided human eye to track the progress of the job at hand. 
     It is an object of this invention is to retain its color after drying. 
     It is an object of this invention to be used with hand tools and automatic drywall finishing tools in the same manner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is a color coded system for tracking the separate stages of finishing drywall panel boards by using a contrasting colored drywall joint compound, plaster, spackle or other suitable mixture in each step of the process with these steps being the taping coat, bed coat, second coat, third coat, top coat, skim coat, and touch up, or any combination there of. The unaided human eye will be able to easily distinguish between the coats by the contrast of the colors. 
     This invention uses either a liquid or solid colorant or a universal paint dye to pigment the mixture of choice for finishing drywall panel boards. After the drywall panel boards are installed workers fill between the panels with the mixture using either an automatic drywall finishing tool or the wide, flat tip of a special trowel by spreading the mixture into and along each side of the joint with brush like strokes. The excess mixture is immediately removed. After the area is allowed to dry a second coat is applied using a different color as to distinguish it from the previously coat. This process is repeated with each successive coat using a different color or shade of a color. Each stage of the finishing process is easily tracked by contractors or other interested parties 
     The invention is not to be limited to the embodiment described herein and is to be understood the invention encompasses and all embodiments within the scope of these claims.