Tips for Sanding Drywall
When it comes to sanding drywall, there are quite a few common mistakes. We're here to help you avoid those mistakes and give you tips for getting the best results from your drywall sanding job. This is tedious, dusty work–but if you do it right, you'll have a great-looking paint job that makes all the effort worthwhile.
Tools you'll need
- Sanding block
- Sandin pole
- Putty knife
- Sanding sponge
- Trouble light
Materials required
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Joint compound
1. Use a special sanding tool
As is the case with most remodeling tasks, having your hands on the right tools is key to a top-notch job. For sanding drywall, you'll need a quality hand sander, a sanding sponge for detail sanding and corners, and a package of 150-grit drywall sanding paper (precut to fit your sander). The job will also require a double-strap dust mask ( we also carry reusable masks) for nuisance dust and goggles to keep all the dust out of your eyes. We recommend adding a hat or scarf to keep the dust out of your hair as well.
If your sanding job is a large one, a pole sander is also a good idea. They can be tricky to master, but if you're sanding more than one room, it's worth the effort to learn. The problem with drywall pole sanders is that they can flip over and gouge the surface if you're not careful–causing extra repair work. One tip we've learned is to keep the sanding head slightly angled and never let it be at a right angle to the pole. A drywall pole sander is perfect for sanding the drywall primer coat before you paint–a step that requires little pressure and control.
- Using a drywall sander: sand with minimal pressure around screws and the edge of seams to avoid the drywall paper "fuzzing". Sand down the center of seams just enough to remove bumps and ridges.
2. Select fine sandpaper for the best results
You might be tempted to purchase 80-grit paper to speed up the job–but because today's lightweight joint compound is so soft, there's no need for heavy-grit paper for sanding. In fact, it will likely leave undesirable sanding marks.
We'd recommend using 120-grit or 150-grit paper for top-notch results. Purchasing precut sheets made to fit your hand sander will be the easist.
- Installing the fine-grit sandpaper: Be sure it's taut by first anchoring one end under the clamp. Then, push the other end below the other clamp and tighten the clamp screw with your other hand.
3. Fill gouges
Do not try to sand out big ridges or gouges. You'll have a much easier time just troweling on another coat of joint compound. This is especially important when you're working on the edge of joints. Too much sanding will cause damage to the paper face on the drywall. Touch up grooves and large ridges with another joint compound coat–it may take a few coats to fill deep grooves.
4. Use a handheld light to spot problem areas
Utilize your hand saner and sponge sander to touch up any problem spots. Use a pencil to mark depressions and any other spots that need filling. Finish up by filling the marked areas with joint compound. Finally, sand those spots when they dry.
5. Prime and re-sand walls
Most beginners skip sanding after priming, but it is a critical step. Sanding before painting gets rid of paper fuzz and lumps that would otherwise show through your paint job. At this point, you should also take care of any other imperfections by filling them with joint compound. When you've finished, be sure to sand and reprime these touched-up areas.
6. Use a sanding sponge for corners
Sanding your inside corners with a hand sander is begging for trouble. Firstly, it's difficult to get a crisp corner. Even more troublesome: the tendency to gouge or scuff the opposite side of the corner with your sander's edge. It's fine to sand within a few inches of the corners with your hand sander, just go back and touch the job up with a sanding sponge and a folded piece of drywall sanding paper.
7. Sand with a light touch
Using a hand sander is pretty straightforward, but here are some tips we want to share with you:
- Use moderate to light pressure and avoid sanding the same spot in a straight line.
- Don't sand over your electrical boxes or other openings.
- Stay a few inches away from electrical box openings–touch them up later on with a sponge.
- Avoid over sanding. If you over sand a spot, touch it up with joint compound and resand when it's dry.
Ready to sand drywall like a pro?
Al's Taping Tools has you covered. We have been supplying contractors with the most extensive selection of professional-quality tools, parts, and accessories since 1985. Our experts are always happy to help you save time and money on your next project. Shop drywall sanding equipment and our other handy tools here.