Humidity really does throw a wrench in the works. I’ve actually had the opposite experience with fans, though—sometimes they help if I angle them away from the patch so it’s more air circulation than direct airflow. Maybe it’s just luck or the type of mud? I wonder if dehumidifiers work better for you. It’s wild how much those tiny imperfections stand out until you finally fix them... but then, like you said, the whole room just feels right. Ever tried quick-dry compounds, or do you stick with the standard stuff?
Funny, I was just wrestling with this last week. Humidity’s a nightmare for getting a smooth finish, and I always end up second-guessing my technique. I’ve tried the fan trick too, but I noticed if it’s too close or pointed right at the patch, it’ll start to dry unevenly—almost like it skins over before the inside sets. Angling it away seems to help a bit, but then you’re just moving air around and hoping for the best.
Dehumidifiers have been a game changer for me, though. Mine’s not anything fancy, just a small one from the hardware store, but it pulls enough moisture out that the mud sets more predictably. Makes the sanding part so much less miserable. Only downside is, if I forget to empty the tank, it’ll stop mid-job and then I’m back to square one.
About quick-dry compounds—yeah, I gave them a shot once when I was in a rush. They set up crazy fast, almost too fast for me as a newbie. I felt like I didn’t have time to feather out the edges properly before it started to harden. Ended up with more sanding than usual, which kind of defeated the purpose of saving time. Maybe with more practice they’d be worth it, but for now I stick with the regular stuff unless it’s a tiny patch.
Totally get what you mean about imperfections standing out. It’s wild how you can stare at a patch and see every little divot or ridge, but once it’s painted and the light hits right, it just disappears. It’s satisfying when it finally comes together—even if it takes a couple extra passes.
You’re definitely not alone with this stuff. There’s always something new to learn or tweak when it comes to drywall and mudding... and humidity just keeps things interesting.