Drywall Mesh Patch vs. Bulge? To remove or not to remove?
If you omit the mesh or paper tape a crack will form. I have had luck with a very high end home that had to have some but splices. The owners wanted absolutely flat walls and ceilings (did not care how much it would cost). What I did was cut through the paper on each side of the splice and remove it ~1" on both sides of the joint. Then I was able to add mud and I used spark gaped paper tape, sand then several topping coats with sanding in between until it was as flat as the sheets. Use caution to not go very deep when removing the paper but slightly in to the gypsum. Wiping with a damp cloth not wet to help remove the dust did assist in making it easier to work the mud into the Sheetrock with no blisters.