Guess it’s a balance between character and distraction.
- Couldn’t agree more. A little “character” in the drywall just makes it look lived-in.
- I’ve spent hours chasing that last tiny line, only to realize nobody else ever notices.
- Pro tip: dimmer switches. Hides a multitude of sins...
- Sometimes you gotta step back and ask, “Is this really gonna bug me in a week?” Usually not.
Funny how those little imperfections seem huge when you’re up close with a work light, but once the paint’s on and furniture’s back, they pretty much disappear. Here’s what’s worked for me: three thin coats of mud, feather out each edge wider than you think, and sand with a big light at a low angle. If you can’t see the seam in that light, nobody else will. And yeah, I’ve definitely spent way too long chasing “perfect”... sometimes good enough really is good enough.
sometimes good enough really is good enough.
I hear you, but I always wonder—do you guys prime before doing your final sanding? I’ve heard it can help spot those sneaky imperfections, but not sure if it’s worth the extra step.
Priming before the final sanding is one of those “extra mile” steps that can save your sanity if you’re a perfectionist. I’ll hit the joints with a quick coat of cheap primer, let it dry, and suddenly all those little lines and dents jump out. Sometimes I regret seeing them, but at least I know before paint goes on. If you’re not chasing magazine-cover results, you can probably skip it... but it’s a game-changer if you want that flawless finish. Just depends how much you like sanding, I guess!
I get why folks like the priming trick, but honestly, I’ve never felt it was absolutely necessary unless you’re after that “glass-smooth” look. Most of the time, if you run your hand over the joints and use a good work light at a low angle, you’ll catch 95% of the flaws without having to break out the primer. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather spend a little extra time with a bright flashlight than add another coat and wait around for it to dry.
That said, I do get a kick out of seeing all the little imperfections pop up under primer... then I have to convince myself not to go back and fix every single one or I’ll be there all week. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough—especially if you’re painting with anything other than pure white or super glossy paint. Just depends how picky you want to be (or how much daylight hits those walls).
