One thing I’ve noticed: after my final sanding pass, even with all the dust control, there’s always a super fine layer of dust left on the walls. Do you guys do a damp wipe-down before priming,...
Mesh pads are all over the place in quality, honestly. I’ve had better luck with the 3M purple ones—less shredding, more sanding, but they’re pricier. Worth it if you hate picking mesh bits out of your mud. As for hoses, I’ve tried looping mine over my shoulder like some kind of Ghostbuster, but mostly I just trip over it less that way. And yeah, I always do a quick wipe-down with a barely damp microfiber cloth before priming. Primer’s not magic, sadly—dust bunnies still win if you skip that step.
I hear you on the mesh pads—some of them just fall apart way too fast. I’m with you on the 3M ones, though. As for dust, I’ve tried skipping the wipe-down before and always regretted it. Even a quick pass with a damp rag makes a difference. Primer just locks in whatever’s there, good or bad.
Mesh pads are the bane of my existence, I swear. I once tried to save a few bucks with some off-brand mesh and ended up with more of it stuck in my mud than on the wall. Lesson learned—3M or nothing for me now. And yeah, dust... I used to think, "Eh, it'll get covered up," but that was before I had to sand down a gritty, bumpy mess that looked like stucco instead of a smooth wall. Now, even if I'm in a rush, I give everything a once-over with a damp microfiber cloth. It’s like insurance for your finish.
Funny thing about primer—my neighbor once skipped the wipe-down and just primed over all the sanding dust. Looked fine until the sunlight hit it at just the right angle and suddenly you could see every speck and swirl. He still blames his "cheap paint," but we both know what really happened.
I do think there’s something to be said for not overthinking it, though. I used to chase every tiny imperfection until I realized most folks never notice unless you point it out. Now I aim for “good enough” rather than “museum quality.” Saves my sanity and my shoulders.
Anyway, if anyone ever invents a dustless sander that doesn’t cost as much as a used car, sign me up... Until then, it’s rags and patience for me.
- I hear you on the mesh pads. Tried to cut corners once with a bargain pack and spent more time picking fibers out of the joint than actually finishing the wall. Not worth the hassle.
- That microfiber wipe-down step is underrated. I used to skip it, thinking “primer covers all,” but light really does expose every shortcut. Had a rental where I rushed it—ended up with visible lines and dust patches after painting. Tenants didn’t care, but I did.
- As for “good enough,” that’s honestly the right mindset when you’re managing multiple units or flips. Most buyers or renters are never going to get their nose up to the wall. If you can’t see it from a few feet away, it’s fine by my book.
- Dustless sanders... yeah, unless you’re running a big operation, those prices are wild. I’ve had some luck with a vacuum attachment on my sander—doesn’t catch everything, but keeps cleanup manageable.
- One thing that helped me: using lightweight compound for final coats. Sands smoother, less effort, and less dust overall.
It’s always a balance between speed and perfection. At scale, sanity wins every time.
Totally relate to the struggle of wanting it perfect but also not wanting to spend forever on one wall. I used to obsess over every tiny line, but honestly, once the paint’s up, most of it disappears unless you’re really looking. Lightweight compound has been a game changer for me too—way easier to sand. I still get nervous about skipping steps, but it’s reassuring to hear that “good enough” is sometimes all you need.