"Don't press too hard; gentle pressure is key or you'll end up gouging the joint compound."
Definitely learned that one the hard way myself. One thing I'm curious about though—does anyone find a noticeable difference using those sanding sponges versus just a regular soft sponge for wet sanding? I've mostly stuck with the sanding ones, but sometimes wonder if I'm just paying extra for marketing. Also, has anyone tried adding a drop of dish soap to the water bucket? Heard it helps, but haven't tested it yet...
"Also, has anyone tried adding a drop of dish soap to the water bucket? Heard it helps, but haven't tested it yet..."
I've actually tried the dish soap trick—just a tiny drop—and it does seem to help the sponge glide smoother without sticking or dragging as much. Could be placebo, but hey, whatever makes sanding drywall less miserable is worth a shot.
As for sanding sponges vs. regular soft sponges, I've experimented with both. Regular soft sponges tend to break down quicker and don't give me quite as consistent results. The sanding sponges hold their shape better and seem to even out imperfections more evenly. But honestly, if you're careful and patient enough, you can probably get decent results either way.
One thing I'm still struggling with though is lighting—anyone else find that certain types of lighting make imperfections stand out way more? I swear my joints look perfect until I switch on the overhead lights at night...
I've never actually tried the dish soap trick myself, but honestly, I'm a bit skeptical about it. Drywall mud is pretty sensitive to additives, and I'd worry that even a tiny bit of soap residue could affect adhesion when painting later on. Maybe it's fine in small amounts, but personally, I prefer sticking to clean water and just rinsing my sponge frequently.
About lighting—yeah, that's always a pain. One thing I've found helpful is using a handheld LED work light at an angle rather than relying on overhead lights. Holding it close to the wall at a shallow angle really highlights imperfections clearly, so you can catch them before painting. It can be frustrating at first (you'll see every tiny flaw), but it saves headaches down the road.
Also, sanding sponges are great for touch-ups, but for larger areas or joints that need more leveling, I still prefer a sanding pole with fine-grit mesh paper. It's faster and gives me more consistent results overall...though admittedly messier.
I've never tried dish soap either, but I did experiment once with adding a tiny bit of vinegar to my water bucket—someone recommended it to keep the mud from drying too fast. Didn't notice much difference though. Has anyone else tried vinegar or other additives?
I've messed around with vinegar too, but honestly didn't see much benefit either. One thing that did help me was thinning the mud just a bit more than usual—like pancake batter consistency. Then I apply it in thinner coats, letting each dry fully before sanding lightly and repeating. Takes a little patience, but it saves me from sanding nightmares later on. Plus, fewer curse words flying around the house...always a bonus.
