I get where you’re coming from about the dust, but honestly, I’d rather spend a bit more time getting the mud right up front than have to sand like crazy later. Lightweight mud’s never really worked for me either—too many bubbles and it shrinks weird. I’ve switched to all-purpose for the first coat, then top with lightweight just for finishing. Less sanding overall, and the joints seem smoother. The vacuum sponge helps, but I still end up with dust everywhere... maybe it’s just part of the deal.
Yeah, I hear you on the dust—seems like no matter what, it gets everywhere. I’ve tried those “dust control” muds and honestly didn’t notice much difference. Getting the first coat as smooth as possible saves me a ton of grief later. Sometimes I’ll even wet-sand the last coat just to keep the mess down, but it’s not perfect. Guess it’s just part of the fun...
Honestly, I’ve never been totally sold on wet-sanding. I get that it cuts down on dust, but I always end up with uneven patches or those weird streaks when the light hits just right. For me, using a wider knife for the final coats and feathering the edges makes a bigger difference in how smooth things turn out. Maybe it’s just my technique, but I’d rather deal with a bit of dust than have to redo spots because they look off later... Dust is annoying, but so are visible seams.
I totally get where you’re coming from—wet-sanding always sounds like a cleaner option, but I’ve had similar issues with streaks and uneven spots showing up once everything dries. Have you ever tried a damp sponge instead of a full-on wet sand? Sometimes that helps blend things without leaving those weird marks. And honestly, using a wider knife and feathering the edges is such an underrated trick. At the end of the day, a little dust seems easier to deal with than having to patch up visible seams later... Do you find certain mud brands make it easier to feather out, or is it all about the technique for you?
Honestly, I’ve never had much luck with the damp sponge trick—maybe I’m just too impatient, but it always seems to leave the surface a bit too soft for my liking. I’m with you on the wider knife though; that’s a total game-changer for feathering. As for mud brands, I’ll take USG Plus 3 any day over the cheaper stuff. It just spreads smoother and sands down easier, which saves me time (and sanity) in the long run. Technique matters, sure, but if the mud’s too gritty or dries weird, no amount of skill is gonna fix that.