I actually kind of like the pole sander, but I get what you mean about just moving dust around. For me, it’s all about super light pressure—almost like you’re barely touching the wall. That said, I’ve tried wet sanding a few times and honestly, I wasn’t a fan. Maybe I was too impatient, but it always seemed to leave the surface a bit uneven, and yeah, I had some bubbling issues with the paper. As for grits, I usually stop at 180. Anything finer and it feels like I’m just burnishing the mud instead of smoothing it. Maybe it’s just old plaster walls making me picky...
As for grits, I usually stop at 180. Anything finer and it feels like I’m just burnishing the mud instead of smoothing it.
Interesting take—I've actually found that going up to 220 can help, but only if the mud's really dry and you feather the edges out gently. Otherwise, yeah, it just polishes and highlights imperfections. Have you ever tried a vacuum sander? Cuts down on dust and seems to give me a bit more control, especially on older plaster. Curious if that's just me or if others have had luck with it.
Vacuum sanders are a game changer, honestly. I used to dread sanding just because of the mess, but once I tried one, it was hard to go back. I’ve noticed they don’t gouge the mud as easily either, which is nice if you’re working on a flip and need those walls looking sharp. I usually stick to 180 too, but sometimes if I’m feeling picky—or if the light’s hitting the wall just right—I’ll take a quick pass with 220. Not sure it always makes a difference, but it helps my peace of mind.
Yeah, totally agree on the vacuum sanders—such a time saver and way less cleanup stress. I used to just deal with dust everywhere and it was brutal after a long day. I’m with you on the 180 grit, though sometimes I’ll push to 150 for the first pass if there’s stubborn spots. Never really noticed much difference with 220 either, but like you said, it’s more about feeling like you did everything you could. Clean walls definitely help sell faster, at least in my experience.
Yeah, that dust used to drive me nuts too. I remember the first time I tried a vacuum sander—felt like I was finally working smarter, not harder. It’s wild how much time you save on cleanup alone.
- 150 grit for the first pass makes sense, especially if you’re dealing with heavy mud or a rough patch job. I’ll do the same if there’s a lot of build-up or if someone else got a little enthusiastic with the joint compound.
- 180 is my go-to for most of the finish work. I’ve tested 220 plenty of times and honestly, unless you’re prepping for a high-gloss paint or you’re just obsessed with perfection (guilty sometimes), it’s hard to tell the difference once the paint goes on.
- One thing I’ve noticed: if you do go up to 220, you gotta be careful not to burnish the mud. It can actually make it harder for primer to stick, especially if you’re using a cheaper brand.
- Clean walls are definitely a selling point. I’ve had clients walk through after a fresh sand and they always comment on how “new” everything looks, even if it’s just an old wall with new mud.
Funny story—once had a guy insist on sanding by hand with no vacuum, just because “that’s how he learned.” Place looked like a snowstorm hit by the end of the day. Never again.
You’re right though, it’s more about consistency than chasing some mythical perfect grit. If you can run your hand over the joint and not feel anything weird, you’re good. And yeah, sometimes it just feels better knowing you went all in, even if no one else notices.
Keep at it. The little details add up, especially when it comes time to sell or show off your work.
