Thinning mud definitely helps, good call. A couple other things I've learned the hard way:
- Use a wider knife than you think you need—makes feathering edges easier.
- Try shining a bright work light sideways along the wall; imperfections pop right out.
- And yeah, breaks are key... drywall fatigue is real.
Thinning mud is definitely a game changer, agreed. Also, the wider knife tip is spot-on—I learned that after way too many frustrating evenings trying to blend seams with a narrow blade. One thing I'd add: sanding sponges can be your best friend for touch-ups and corners. Less dust, more control, and easier on the wrists. Curious if anyone's tried wet sanding techniques to cut down on dust? Seems promising, but I haven't ventured there yet...
"Curious if anyone's tried wet sanding techniques to cut down on dust? Seems promising, but I haven't ventured there yet..."
I've given wet sanding a shot a couple times—mostly on smaller bathroom remodels where dust control was crucial. Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. It does significantly cut down on airborne dust, which is fantastic, but it can get messy fast with muddy drips everywhere. I'd recommend trying it on a small area first to see if the trade-off is worth it for you... personally, sanding sponges still win out overall for convenience and control.
I've messed around with wet sanding a few times and agree—it definitely cuts down on dust, but the cleanup afterward was kind of a pain. Still, if you're sensitive to dust or working in a finished space where you really can't afford mess-ups, it's worth giving it a whirl. Just keep a bucket and sponge handy...and maybe some patience. It's not perfect, but you'll find your own rhythm after a bit of practice.
I've tried wet sanding too, and yeah, the dust reduction is nice, but honestly, I found it more frustrating than helpful. Maybe it's just me, but I felt like I was constantly chasing my tail—wiping down walls, rinsing sponges, changing water buckets. It seemed like I was trading one hassle (dust) for another (constant cleanup). Plus, if you're not careful, it's easy to overdo it and accidentally remove too much joint compound, especially if you're newer to drywall finishing.
Have you ever tried using one of those drywall sanding vac attachments instead? I picked one up on a whim last year, and it surprised me how well it worked. It's not completely dust-free, but it definitely cuts down the mess significantly without the whole sponge-and-bucket dance. You just hook it up to your shop vac, and it sucks up most of the dust as you sand. Sure, there's still some cleanup afterward, but it's way less tedious than wet sanding, at least in my experience.
I guess it depends on your setup and patience level. If you're working in a finished space with furniture or carpets already installed, wet sanding might still be your best bet. But if you're just looking for a cleaner alternative to traditional sanding that doesn't involve constant rinsing and wiping, the vacuum attachment might be worth checking out. Curious if anyone else has tried both methods and noticed a big difference in results or ease of use...
