Drywall installation is a popular choice for interior wall finishes. Despite its many advantages, one major downside is the dust produced during the sanding process which can be a nuisance. Fortunately, there’s an effective solution – wet sanding. This technique significantly reduces the amount of dust produced, making it a viable option for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
What is Wet Sanding?
Wet sanding is a process involving a damp sponge to smooth out excess joint compound after it dries. By moistening the compound with a sponge, it begins to dissolve and loosen, allowing for easy removal. Wet sanding is usually done with a thick, stiff sponge.
However, it’s worth noting that wet sanding isn’t a perfect solution. Some professionals view it more as a “joint smudging” process rather than actual sanding, due to the amount of compound that remains on the wall rather than being absorbed by the sponge.
Despite this, wet sanding can be valuable as it helps to make the seams between the drywall sheets less visible or even invisible after painting.
Why Choose Wet Sanding?
The most significant advantage of wet sanding is dust reduction. Traditional sanding creates a substantial amount of dust which can get everywhere, from your clothes to the furthest corners of your home. This fine dust can cause irritation to your eyes and lungs, even with protective measures in place.
Wet sanding, on the other hand, produces nearly zero dust, making it a cleaner and safer option. It’s especially beneficial for those with dust allergies or sensitivities.
Wet Sanding vs. Dry Sanding
While wet sanding is slower compared to dry sanding, it offers the considerable advantage of being virtually dust-free.
Dry sanding often results in a smoother finish as it’s able to take down high spots quickly. However, using a flexible sponge for wet sanding means your finished wall might have gentle waves.
If you’re aiming for speed over cleanliness, you might prefer dry sanding. But if dust is a concern, wet sanding could be the ideal choice.
How to Wet Sand Drywall
Wet sanding drywall involves a step-by-step process that requires patience and precision. Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare Your Sponge: Fill a bucket with warm water and dip your sponge into it. Wring out the sponge so that it’s damp but not sopping. The sponge should be damp enough to dissolve the hardened joint compound. There are special drywall sponges designed for this task, or you can use any large, stiff household sponge.
- Start Sanding: Begin by reducing any obvious high spots with the abrasive side of your sponge. Move the sponge in broad, circular motions, being careful not to press too hard on one spot to avoid creating depressions in the joint compound.
- Rinse and Repeat: Rinse the sponge whenever it starts to clog up with dust and compound. Continue sanding with a newly dampened sponge. This part of the job can take some time, so be patient.
- Smooth Out the Joints: After addressing the high spots, switch to the smooth side of the sponge to feather the joint compound outward from the joints, helping to reduce seam visibility after painting.
- Let the Wall Dry: Allow the damp compound to dry fully before inspecting the surface. Wet sanding moistens the dried compound, moving it to other parts of the wallboard, which helps to smooth and feather the ridge edges.
Wet Sanding Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when wet sanding drywall:
- Don’t expect a perfectly smooth surface. Wet sanding might leave gentle waves on your finished wall due to the flexibility of the sponge.
- Don’t over-soak your sponge. An overly wet sponge can dissolve and remove too much compound, requiring you to reapply more.
- Be patient. Wet sanding is a slower process than dry sanding, but the dust-free benefit is worth the extra time.
- Don’t over-sand. Over-sanding can get the drywall paper too wet, which can cause problems with the finish.
In conclusion, wet sanding is an efficient way to finish drywall without the mess and health risks associated with dust. It might take a bit more time and patience, but the end result is a clean, dust-free space ready for painting.