Has anyone tried sanding down just the high spots instead of going for a full smooth finish? Wondering if that’s a decent compromise or just more work in the end.
I’ve actually done that on a couple walls where I didn’t want to go all-in with the sanding. It helped a bit with cleaning, but honestly, it still left enough texture to catch dust. It’s less work up front, but you might find yourself wishing you’d just gone smoother when you’re wiping things down later. Did you notice any weird patchiness when you tried it? That was my main issue—looked a little uneven in certain light.
Sanding just the high spots is one of those shortcuts that sounds great in theory, but in practice... eh, it’s a mixed bag. I get the temptation—nobody wants to be covered in drywall dust for days. But if you’re even a little picky about how your walls look, you’ll probably regret not going the extra mile. I’ve seen so many people try to “just knock down the peaks” and then end up with weird shadows or patchy spots once the paint goes on. It’s like the wall is trying to tell on you every time the sun hits it at the wrong angle.
Honestly, if you’re after a finish that doesn’t drive you nuts every time you walk by, it’s worth putting in the effort up front. I know it’s a pain, but a smoother wall is just easier to live with—especially if you’re into lighter paint colors or have any kind of natural light coming in. Those imperfections will show up way more than you think.
If you’re really dreading the sanding, I’d say invest in a decent pole sander or even one of those vacuum sanders. Makes a world of difference and saves your lungs (and your patience). Or, if you’re feeling bold, try wet-sanding with a sponge—less dust, but it takes a bit of practice to get right.
Shortcuts are tempting, but drywall is one of those things where “good enough” can come back to haunt you. Trust me, I’ve seen enough patchy walls to last a lifetime.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called in to “fix” a wall someone tried to shortcut. You’re right—once the sunlight hits, every little ridge shows up. I always say, the extra 30 minutes with a pole sander saves you hours of regret later. Wet-sanding’s great for touch-ups, but it can smear if you’re not careful. I usually stick with a vacuum sander—makes cleanup way less of a nightmare.
I always say, the extra 30 minutes with a pole sander saves you hours of regret later.
Man, that’s the truth. I’ve tried to rush it before and ended up chasing shadows on the wall for days after. I know some folks swear by wet-sanding, but I’ve had it gum up on me if the mud’s not fully set. Never tried a vacuum sander, though—might have to look into that since my shop vac already hates me after every project.
I hear you on the wet-sanding—tried it once, ended up with a wall that looked like a toddler’s art project. The vacuum sander’s not a miracle worker, but it does keep the dust from taking over your lungs... and your sanity. Worth a shot if you’re tired of cleaning drywall snowdrifts.
