Use Super L Bead to Quickly Finish Window Returns Like a Pro

To the untrained eye, a finished drywall window return won’t look like much. Same goes for other rough drywall openings like these, like door jambs and wall ends. But a drywall finisher knows how complicated and messy these details can be. They can require installing multiple corner beads, plus finishing the face of the drywall itself. But those in-the-know may be aware there’s a faster, easier way: just use Super L Bead to quickly finish window returns like a pro!

Here's how to use this solution to up your game on window returns, as demonstrated by a true pro of drywall finishing, PRC Taping:

Super L Bead — as well as similar solutions like Giant and Oversized L Bead and, for areas like entryways and knee walls, Fast Caps — saves you time by fully covering the rough face of a drywall return or jamb, as well as your corners, with a protective layer of vinyl. If that weren’t convenient enough, each length of Super L Bead has a return leg that’s pre-scored (at 2 5⁄8", 2 1⁄8" and 1 5⁄8") to easily fit just about any window return up to 3 1⁄8" — just tear the leg off at the desired width and get straight to application, as seen below. (Need a wider return leg? Then your best bet is the even larger Giant L Bead.)

To install Super L Bead on window returns, as PRC Taping demonstrates in the video, first measure the width of your return and, if needed, tear along those pre-scored lines to match it. Cut the bead to length and dry fit, then apply a bead of caulk along the rough drywall edge — here, PRC Taping is using a latex caulk from DAP. Apply your Super L Bead so that you’re covering the entire return, leaving a 1⁄16" clearance on the end, then grab your staple gun and shoot half-inch staples into the mud leg every few inches.

This is all there is to it; you’re already set to begin mudding and painting, as the bead’s return leg is fully paintable and highly durable. By using Super L Bead to quickly finish window returns, you’re more efficient, more cost-effective and able to provide a window return that will look clean and crisp for the long haul.

Thank you to PRC Taping for, as always, showing off how to use Trim-Tex solutions like a pro — be sure to follow him on Instagram for more awesome videos like this one. Want to get a look at Super L Bead for yourself? Hit the button below to request a sample pack of both this solution and the larger Giant L Bead today!