- Totally get what you mean about dust—those sanding sponges with the vac are a lifesaver, especially in old houses where you never know what’s lurking in the corners.
- I’ve used the mesh screens a bunch, and yeah, they do seem to clog less with hot mud. They’re not perfect, but I find if you knock them against something every so often, you can keep going longer before they gum up.
- Corners and weird angles are always the worst. For that, I actually like the flexible sanding sponges (the ones you can bend a bit). They fit into those awkward spots way better than the flat mesh screens.
- One thing I’ve learned—don’t be afraid to swap between tools mid-job. Sometimes it’s mesh for big flats, sponge for details. Makes it go smoother and saves your sanity.
- If you’re fighting with really stubborn mud, a quick mist of water can help soften things before sanding. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a mess.
You’re definitely not alone fighting these battles. Old houses have their quirks, but there’s always a trick or two to make things easier.
Mesh screens are solid for the big areas, but I always end up back with the sponges for the details—especially in those 100-year-old corners that aren’t even close to square. One trick I picked up: if you’re flipping a house and time is money, sometimes it’s worth just priming after the first pass to spot the trouble spots before you go sanding everything to death. Saves a lot of frustration (and dust in your hair).
