Getting smooth drywall joints without losing your mind

- 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).

Priming after the first pass is such a sanity-saver, especially when you’re working with walls that look like they were built by someone eyeballing it after a few drinks. I’ve tried the sponge trick too, but sometimes I feel like I end up just smearing mud around instead of smoothing it. Ever tried those flexible sanding pads for weird corners? I swear by them, but maybe I’m just making more work for myself.

Flexible sanding pads are a lifesaver for those oddball corners, but I hear you - sometimes it feels like I’m just chasing my tail, sanding the same spot over and over. I’ve had better luck with a corner trowel for inside angles, though it took me a while to get the hang of it without leaving lines. Ever tried wet-sanding after priming? It’s messy, but sometimes it’s the only way to get rid of those stubborn ridges. Curious if anyone’s got a trick for outside corners that doesn’t involve redoing them three times...

Curious if anyone’s got a trick for outside corners that doesn’t involve redoing them three times...

- For outside corners, I’ve had the best results using metal corner bead with a setting-type joint compound (the 45-minute stuff). It seems to resist dings and holds a sharper edge.
- I always feather out the mud at least 10–12 inches on each side, even if it feels like overkill. Less sanding later.
- Light hand-sanding with a foam block after everything’s dry - no power sanders near corners, they just chew things up.
- Wet-sanding after priming? I’ve tried it, but honestly, I get nervous about breaking through to bare drywall. Maybe I’m too cautious.

Anyone else have luck with those plastic corner tools, or do they just make things worse?