Wet sanding new drywall
#1
02-03-14, 08:33 AM
Wet sanding new drywall
Is wet sanding easy to do for a beginner? Any negatives? We need to sand a new ceiling in my daughter's basement, 18' X 18', including 2 soffits. The main reason would be to keep the dust down. Thanks.
#2
02-03-14, 09:20 AM
Group Moderator
By wet sanding do you mean using a damp sponge? Yes, it's easy but in my opinion it generally does not yield as good a result as dry sanding. You can get good results if there is not an excess of mud and with practice but you are basically re-wetting the mud and wiping it away so a lot depends on your technique. Dry sanding is easier and is better at removing an excess of mud.
#3
02-03-14, 11:07 AM
Super Moderator
You can rent a sanding vac if you don't have a shop vac. They actually have systems just for sanding taped seams. I can't say I've ever heard of wet sanding sheetrock.
#4
02-03-14, 11:26 AM
Group Moderator
Wet sanding tends to be a finishing technique - as Mark said, it isn't a good way to remove a lot of material.
#5
02-03-14, 11:33 AM
Actually it was PD that said that 
but I agree 
Dry sanding always does a better job of leveling out the finish! Using a wet sponge works great when you need to eliminate the dust [like working in a finished home] but for it to look acceptable it requires the mud to be applied evenly. Dry sanding while it does produce a lot of dust, works a lot better for a novice finisher.
but I agree 
Dry sanding always does a better job of leveling out the finish! Using a wet sponge works great when you need to eliminate the dust [like working in a finished home] but for it to look acceptable it requires the mud to be applied evenly. Dry sanding while it does produce a lot of dust, works a lot better for a novice finisher.
#7
02-04-14, 07:08 AM
Group Moderator
If you do decide to rent a powered sanding vac be very careful to keep it on the mud area of the seams and I would not use it on the nail/screw areas. They can raise fuzz from the sheetrock's paper which makes getting a nice painted finish difficult. It is a great tool though if you keep it on the mud.
If you decide to sand by hand make sure you get the mesh sanding sheets intended for wall board finishing and the pad to hold it. They are pretty inexpensive and work much better than traditional sandpaper since it does not clog.
If you decide to sand by hand make sure you get the mesh sanding sheets intended for wall board finishing and the pad to hold it. They are pretty inexpensive and work much better than traditional sandpaper since it does not clog.
