Drywall Sanding Tips For The Home Handyman

There may be many reasons why one will choose to take on the household repairs at home. It could be a lack of money, pressure from your wife, a desire to learn a new skill, or just looking for a new hobby. Whether you are going to start with a small project such as adding a new wall in your unfinished basement or a big job of adding a whole new level onto your existing home, there are steps you can that will make things go more smoothly with less hassles. When one learns these drywall sanding tips, they can not only finish a professional looking job but save both time and money.

The following article will show you the best drywall sanding tips for the home handyman to cut down your work and allow you to complete a project that you will want to share your success with all of your friends and family.

You will want to make sure you have the best tools for the job. Drywalling can be a tough and messy task. The first few pieces of equipment you will want to pick up are googles to protect your eyes from all of the falling debris, a particle mask to keep the dust from entering your mouth or nostrils. Buying some plastic to cover the vents and doorways will protect the rest of your home from being damaged or dirtied.

The first of the drywall sanding tips we will share is in regards to the proper tools for the job. If you will be dealing with drywall on a ceiling, you should invest in a pole sander. A pole that has a swivel top will allow you to easily maneuver them whereever you need to go.

Using 120 to 150 grit sandpaper will allow less build up of grit in the screens.

Depending on the type of job you are doing, you may find that a wet sand works better than a dry sand. Using the right smooth mud and a sponge over the joints allows for a less messy outcome.

If you would like a cleaner and less vigorous job, you could invest in a vaccuum rig that works on round head surfaces. You will still need to sand the angles by hand. The typical price range for these tools are $1200-$1500, so may not be ideal for those who are just starting out or don't plan to do drywalling projects on a continous basis.

Don't try to sand gouges or dents in the wall or ceiling. It will have a much smoother look over all by just filling the spaces with compound. This is the best solution for when dealing with the edge of joints where if you sand too much you could damage the paper face on the drywall.

Make sure you have adequate light. You will want to be able to shine it on the wall or ceiling where you are working to look for any spots and rough areas you may have missed.

Once you have sanded the surface once, prime the wall and then sand again. This is a step that many beginners miss out on they end up with a job where you can see paper fuzz and lumps throughout their finished project.

Finally the last two drywall sanding tips are to use a sanding sponge for inside corners and to remember to sand lightly, You do not want to sand over the same spot in a straight line. This will cause depressions and leave grooves that will be seen once you have painted.