I've tried 'spackling paste' and this has turned into a nightmare. It dries too fast. I end up created lines in the spackle as I go over it with the 12" knife. I had no trouble getting my joint compound to smooth out over my joint tape without a crease anywhere. This spackling paste seems to be for smaller areas I guess. It doesn't really work well when doing a whole wall. And yes I tried watering down the spackling paste so it didn't dry as fast.