- Been there with the “abstract art” walls—my first attempt at wet-sanding left more streaks than a toddler with a crayon.
- The vacuum sander’s a step up, but I swear it still finds a way to coat every surface in the room. Maybe it’s just my 1920s plaster dust mixing in for extra chaos.
- I’ve started using those sanding sponges with the mesh sides. Not perfect, but at least I don’t feel like I’m prepping for a blizzard indoors.
- Anyone else notice that no matter how careful you are, you always find a rogue ridge or crater after you paint? Drives me nuts.
Curious—has anyone tried those fancy dustless sanding systems, or is that just another “miracle” that ends up being more hype than help?
Title: Getting smooth drywall joints without losing your mind
I actually gave one of those “dustless” sanders a shot—borrowed it from my cousin who swears by it. Honestly, it cut down on the mess a bit, but it’s not a miracle worker. Still had to wipe down everything after. I almost feel like the mesh sponges are less hassle overall, even if you have to go over the same spot a few times. And yeah, those random ridges after painting? I just pretend they’re part of the house’s “character” at this point...
Honestly, I’ve found that the key is super-thin layers of mud—like, thinner than you think you need. Feather out each edge as much as possible, then let it dry fully before sanding. I like mesh sponges too, but sometimes I’ll use a damp cloth to knock down dust and tiny ridges before the final sand. Makes a difference, even if it’s a bit more work up front. Those “character” ridges? Been there... sometimes even I just hang art over them and call it a day.
Honestly, I’ve found that the key is super-thin layers of mud—like, thinner than you think you need. Feather out each edge as much as possible, then let it dry fully before sanding.
Couldn’t agree more about the thin coats—makes life a lot easier. One thing I’d add: sometimes folks rush the drying stage, especially if they’re on a tight schedule. Even with fast-setting compounds, patience pays off. If you try to sand before it’s completely dry, you just end up smearing or tearing the mud. I usually run a bright light along the wall to spot any trouble spots before final sanding. Saves a lot of frustration down the line. Hanging art over ridges? Yeah, guilty as charged...
I usually run a bright light along the wall to spot any trouble spots before final sanding. Saves a lot of frustration down the line.
That trick with the light is underrated. I’ve walked into “finished” spaces where nobody bothered, and every seam shows up as soon as the sun hits it. I’ll admit, I’ve tried to rush it with hot mud, thinking I could shave off a few hours—never worth it. Ended up redoing half the wall. Patience isn’t fun, but it’s cheaper than repainting.
