I've had similar experiences with vacuum attachments—they do make a noticeable difference. One thing I've found helpful is to focus more on the mudding stage itself. If you take extra care applying thin, even coats and feathering the edges carefully, you'll drastically reduce sanding time later. It takes patience upfront, but it's worth it when you're not choking on dust afterward... Plus, less sanding means fewer imperfections from aggressive sanding marks.
I've noticed the same thing about careful mudding cutting down sanding. But I'm curious—has anyone experimented with wet sanding instead of dry? I've heard it can cut down dust significantly, which seems great for indoor air quality and overall cleanup. Wondering if it's worth the extra hassle or if it creates other issues like uneven finishes or drying delays...
I've tried wet sanding a couple times, and yeah, it definitely cuts down the dust—huge plus if you're working indoors. But honestly, I found it tricky to keep things even. Maybe it's just me being impatient, but it seemed easier to accidentally remove too much mud in spots. Drying wasn't a big issue though...just had to wait a bit longer before painting. Anyone else find wet sanding kinda finicky, or am I just bad at it?
Wet sanding can be tricky for sure...takes a bit of finesse to get a feel for pressure and timing. I find using a damp sponge instead of fully wet helps me avoid digging out too much mud. Worth a shot if you're still experimenting.
I've tried the damp sponge method too, and it definitely helps avoid gouging the joint compound. But I noticed it sometimes leaves a slightly uneven finish compared to traditional sanding. Do you find yourself needing extra skim coats afterward, or is there a trick to getting it smooth enough on the first go-around? Curious about your experience with that.
