- Gotta admit, I’m always tempted by the “hot mud” shortcut, but it’s bitten me too. My 1915 walls are nowhere near flat, so that stuff just laughs at my optimism.
- I get the appeal of quick dry, but honestly, I’d rather do two thinner coats of all-purpose and sand lightly. Less cursing later when I discover a hard ridge under fresh paint.
- Anyone else notice the old plaster sometimes sucks the moisture out of mud crazy fast? I’ve started misting the surface a little before patching… seems to help with blending.
- Still haven’t figured out if there’s a magic way to avoid the dust everywhere. If you find it, let me know.
Still haven’t figured out if there’s a magic way to avoid the dust everywhere. If you find it, let me know.
If only there was a dust fairy, right? I’ve tried the “wet sponge” trick for sanding—less dust, but it’s not perfect and takes patience. Also, totally with you on misting old plaster. That stuff is thirstier than my houseplants in August. I’ll take a few extra coats over wrestling with hot mud any day... my sanity thanks me later.
If only there was a dust fairy, right?
Wouldn’t that make life easier... I hear you on the wet sponge method—tried it once, felt like I was just smearing stuff around for ages. Still, anything to keep the dust down. I’ve learned to just accept some mess and tarp off everything. At least you’re not battling hot mud—those quick set times stress me out more than the cleanup. Hang in there, it gets easier with practice.
Yeah, that wet sponge trick never worked for me either—just made a mess and left streaks. I’ve flipped a few houses now, and honestly, investing in a decent vacuum sander was a game changer. The upfront cost stings a bit, but the time saved (and less dust everywhere) is worth it. Hot mud’s another beast... I’ve had to redo entire seams because it set before I could feather it out. Prep and the right tools make all the difference, even if it means a little more setup.
Vacuum sanders really do save your sanity, but man, the first time I fired one up I thought I was about to take off for the moon—so much suction. I’m with you on hot mud too. Tried to beat the clock once and ended up with a lumpy seam that looked like a snake under a blanket. These days, I just give myself extra time and keep a damp rag handy for quick cleanups. Prep’s not glamorous, but it sure saves headaches (and dust bunnies) later.
