Good call on thinning the mud—I learned that trick way too late. Another thing I've found helpful is using a wide taping knife for the final coat, makes feathering easier. Ever tried one of those drywall sanding sponges instead of paper? Curious if they're worth the hype...
I've actually found those sanding sponges a bit overrated. They're handy for tight corners or small touch-ups, but for larger areas, they tend to clog up pretty fast and lose effectiveness. Personally, I've had better luck with a sanding pole and mesh screens—less clogging, easier cleanup, and you can cover more ground quickly. Might be worth trying both to see what suits your style best...
I've gotta admit, sanding sponges do clog pretty quickly if you're tackling a big area. But have you tried knocking the dust out regularly? I usually tap mine against something solid every few minutes—it helps a bit. Still, you're right about mesh screens being easier overall. One tip I'd add: use a bright work light at an angle when sanding. It highlights imperfections you might miss otherwise... saved me from a few embarrassing paint jobs, haha.
That's a good tip about the angled lighting—I hadn't thought of that. I'm still pretty new to drywalling, and honestly, sanding has been the toughest part for me. I tried knocking out the dust from sanding sponges too, but it felt like I spent more time tapping than actually sanding, haha. Maybe I'm just impatient?
One thing I've been wondering about is wet sanding. Has anyone here tried it? I've read it's supposed to cut down on dust big-time, but does it really give you as smooth a finish as regular sanding? I'm tempted to give it a shot, but I'm a bit nervous about getting the drywall too damp or messing something up. Would love to hear if anyone's had success (or disasters!) with wet sanding methods.
Also, do you guys find there's a noticeable difference between the cheaper sanding screens and the pricier ones? I've been using whatever I grabbed first at the hardware store, but maybe investing a bit more could save me some headaches down the road...
I've had pretty good luck with wet sanding, actually. It definitely cuts down on dust, which is a huge plus if you're working in a finished space or somewhere you don't want to spend hours cleaning afterward. The key is to use a damp sponge—not soaking wet—and keep rinsing it frequently. If you go too wet, you risk softening the drywall compound too much, and that can lead to uneven spots or even gouges.
In terms of smoothness, wet sanding can give you a really nice finish, especially if you're patient and gentle with it. But honestly, for the final coat, I still prefer a quick pass with a fine-grit sanding screen or paper. It just seems to give that extra bit of polish.
Speaking of sanding screens, I've noticed the pricier ones do last longer and clog less often. They're not magic or anything, but if you're doing a larger project, the higher-quality screens can save you from constantly swapping them out. Might be worth trying one next time and seeing if you notice a difference yourself.
