Is there a trick to knowing when you’ve sanded enough, or do you just go by feel?
Honestly, I mostly go by feel and sight—if you run your hand over it and can’t feel any bumps, you’re probably good. Mesh pads are okay for rough sanding, but I find they can gouge if you’re not careful. Regular sanding blocks give me more control, especially for the final pass. And yeah, thin coats really do help, but if your mud’s too thick, try adding a splash of water to loosen it up a bit. Don’t stress every tiny flaw—once it’s painted, most folks won’t notice.
And yeah, thin coats really do help, but if your mud’s too thick, try adding a splash of water to loosen it up a bit.
I’ve found that “run your hand over it and can’t feel any bumps” is a solid rule of thumb, but I’ll sometimes grab a work light and hold it at a low angle to the wall. Shadows will show stuff your hand might miss, especially on big flat seams. I’ve learned the hard way that mesh pads can be a bit aggressive—one time I had to re-mud a whole corner because I got carried away. Thin coats and patience always win out, even if it feels slow.
That low-angle light trick is a lifesaver, especially in older houses where nothing is truly flat. I’ve run into issues where the original plaster walls meet new drywall, and the transition is never perfect. Have you ever tried using a wider knife for those seams? I’ve noticed it helps feather things out, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just making more work for myself. Curious if anyone’s found a good balance between over-sanding and just living with a few imperfections...
I totally get what you mean about the wider knife—sometimes I feel like I'm just spreading the mess out further, but then again, it does seem to help blend things in. Last time I tried it, I ended up with less sanding, but I still notice the bumps in certain lighting. Has anyone tried those sanding sponges instead of regular sandpaper? I keep wondering if that's a shortcut or just another gimmick...
I hear you on the bumps—sometimes I think I’ve got it all smooth, then the sunlight hits just right and there they are. I’ve tried those sanding sponges a few times, mostly because they’re cheap and I can rinse them out and reuse. Honestly, I like them better than regular sandpaper for corners and touch-ups, but for big flat spots, I still end up grabbing the sanding block. Not a miracle fix, but they do help a bit with the mess. Just my two cents.