Apply pressure on the knife or rubber float as you pull it up or down in one continuous stroke. Then do the same to the bottom with the bottom edge of the knife. Drywall is all around you! Hold the knife or rubber float at a 90-degree angle; only the trailing edge of the trowel should touch the compound. Don't sand through the mud into the tape or paper surface of the drywall, only the mud around it. [1] X Research source However, getting enough joint compound on the wall is key. Even the most careful taping and mudding job requires that the joints be sanded with a sanding screen or sandpaper, and that action invariably creates dust that … Choose between a dry powder you mix with water and a premixed mud. Mesh tape is usually self adhesive and can go right on the joints. Preparing the Seam. taping knife. Having a good quality plaster's felt brush on hand for wet mopping helps too. Drywall pro Myron Ferguson explains how to do it. Luckily I had a great mentor to teach me some of the tricks of the trade, and in no time my joints required very little sanding for a perfectly smooth wall. I plan on putting up wallpaper, so all I really want is to cover the screw holes and seams. By using a rubber float or a knife, you can smooth the wall down so it looks like you spent the day sanding. You can finish the drywall without having to sand the surface. Now, let’s talk mud. Can wallboard be finished off without ANY sanding? Now, I never turn down a good excuse to add to my tool collection, but this is one instance where having the right tools will mean the difference between a good drywall joint and losing your sanity over a sanding block. Drive them in until they are recessed just slightly. by: Dale Cox. Yes, regular sandpaper can be used to sand drywall. Sanding is the key. There are really just two rules to go by. The simple reason why more DIYers don't install and finish drywall more often is easy to understand—the dust. In this state, it will not stick to the wall. If your walls are slightly uneven or damaged, skim coating a light coat of drywall mud over the surface evens them out. Whichever method you use, don’t forget to wear a dust mask or respirator while sanding – some dust will still be getting into the air and you don’t want that stuff in your lungs. Step 1 Prepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams. Sand Joint With Abrasive Side of Sponge. It takes time to do the job properly. You can do this if youve been careful about how you applied the mud. The hardest part is setting up a light so you can see where you need to sand and cleaning up the area when you're done. Step 3. Prepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams. And its a lot cleaner than having all that sanding dust floating everywhere, hehehe. Sponge a little water onto the joint compound. How to finish drywall expertly – sanding tips. Finishing drywall refers to the process of smoothing the joints between the drywall panels and getting them ready for painting. Tools: Wallboard Joint Compound (you can also mix your own to save $$) 8” putty knife. We have included a video on how to sand drywall at the […] It takes just a few tools—a small and a large drywall knife and a swivel-head pole sander—to finish drywall. How to Finish Drywall Without Sanding Step 1. Unless your work is really rough, ignore the picture above and simply sand. The joint compound should cover the drywall tape and extend 2 inches beyond each side of the drywall tape. I know, I know, even seeing that much mud on a seam in a picture gives me sanding anxiety too. Drywall in Waltham, Massachusetts, shows us how to mud and tape drywall, using premixed joint compound (a.k.a. Apply drywall tape to cover the seams on your drywall. Once you have the drywall in place, it is time to fill in the area between the seams. Like, for all of eternity. This works just as well as sanding — without creating dust. You will need to stir the compound to loosen it up and make it easier to work with. Fill a bucket with warm water. Sanding drywall sounds like about as much fun as watching paint dry. Apply drywall tape to cover the seams on your drywall. The smoother the finish on the drywall compound as the mud is applied, the easier and quicker the sanding job will be. At this moment, sanding the seam lightly will create the flat texture that is needed to give a seamless look. “drywall mud”) and drywall tape. ... You need to start with a mostly smooth finish to make wet sanding work because you can't remove ridges or other bumps with a wet sponge without removing too much of the adjacent areas as well. Using the sponge method is most effective when you have a … You can use paper or mesh tape to finish the joints. A little bit of water at the ready will also help get the mud to an easy-to-work-with consistency, loose enough to spread on the wall without running. Technical assistance by Darrell Lind of Woodbury Wall Systems in Woodbury, Connecticut. If you like a slightly rustic finish, you could probably skip the sanding. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Also, one person said to put vinegar in paint, I've never heard of that. As with most remodeling tasks, having the right tools is the key to a top-notch job. Nevertheless, if your drywall is in need of repair, Fixer can help. Or if you are doing renovations in the home, such as … Any finisher who is worth their salt has not only asked this question, but has spent his career of continous learning creating systems and identifying those factors and variables that address this question. thecorsoncottage.blogspot.comImage: thecorsoncottage.blogspot.comHow to Finish Drywall Without SandingPrepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams.Mix joint compound according to manufacturer's directions.Spread a thin layer of the joint compound over the drywall taped seams using a drywall knife.Allow the joint compound to harden on the wall.Sponge … Gail Delaney is a writer in South Dakota and has articles published online at various websites. With our suggested equipment and easy-to-follow steps, you can easily get shiny and smooth drywall ready to paint. Continue rubbing until the area softens to an even surface. You can finish the drywall without having to sand the surface. Work quickly, don’t let the compound dry out, and don’t skimp on the amount of mud you roll on the wall. These steps apply for plastering the seams of regular drywall joints, or for patching cracks. Before you can finish drywall joints you need to have actual wallboard in place. Make sure the drywall is ready to be finished. However, the grit size of the used sandpaper should be between 100 and 120. Photos by: Tom O’Brien. Our Best Sanding Drywall Without Dust Tips: Drywall dust is fine, like flour, and will travel to other areas of the house. This will keep them from becoming mixed into the joint compound and showing. But I've also seen some people that instead of sanding what they do is apply a skim coat to almost the whole wall to prevent sanding. You can learn how to install drywall here. However, sanding drywall provides a smooth finish even when the compound has a lot of bumps and grooves. How to Finish Drywall Joints Step 1: Mixing Joint Compound. Last process in this first step is to hit the screws in the field of your drywall with mud. Always try to use the factory edges to create your joints. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This process, like cutting the drywall, could be very much messy too and it could leave your body looking like you were sprayed dust. Whichever method you use, don’t forget to wear a dust mask or respirator while sanding – some dust will still be getting into the air and you don’t want that stuff in your lungs. The first step in finishing these is to attach metal corner bead to the joint with drywall screws or nails (17). Special drywall-sanding sponges are available at hardware stores, but a kitchen sponge with an abrasive side will also do in a pinch. Bed the tape, then flatten the joints without leaving a raised trail from the knife edges. We’ll show you the sanding steps and finishing techniques the pros use to get sanding done quickly with excellent results. The thing to keep in mind is that a sheet of drywall has slightly beveled ends which make finishing joints much easier. Alternatively, you can use a fine sanding sponge or 150-220 grit sanding screen. To clean the drywall after sanding, damp it with water. by: ... You can eliminate virtually all the dust from sanding drywall mud using a wet sponge to smooth out the finish. When hanging the boards it will be tempting to use small scraps to finish things off, but you’ll be hurting yourself in the long run. To prepare your house … DIY-ers and professional drywall contractors can’t get by without these vacuum sanders because you get the job done with less mess using these vacuum sanders with different vacuum sander hoses. In this article, we will guide you to sand drywall from scratch. Between swipes, be sure to wipe both sides of the knife on the pan. However, the three swipe method is all about putting a lot of mud on to start and then taking away the extra. First, “feather” the top edge of mud by holding just the top edge of the knife tight to the wall and drawing it smoothly across the seam. Get a pro finish with help from the Home Depot Canada. Begin at the top of the drywall seam and continue until you reach the bottom of the drywall seam. Sanding lightly will allow you to not overdo it too much at one time. Learn how to finish drywall with tips on drywall mudding, how to tape drywall, sanding drywall & more. taping knife. Generally speaking, fixing drywall is easy and inexpensive, but it can sometimes be a little time-consuming. Place a bucket of warm water on the floor beside the drywall patch or seam. It’s probably not ideal for sanding spackle spots on already painted walls since (in my experience) you don’t get as smooth as a final finish with drywall screens as you do with sandpaper. Apply drywall tape to cover the seams on your drywall. Instructions Wet the Sponge. Pretty much anywhere you look -there is drywall! Keep stroking the rubber float across the patched area until you make it smooth. I've put up new drywall, but I don't want to do all the mudding. How to Sand Drywall Without Dust. By using a rubber float or a knife, you can smooth the wall down so it looks like you spent the day sanding. Step 5: Skim, then sand. Toward the edges, you want to feather the mud, so it softly fades into the drywall. Unfortunately, sanding is something you can do away with when installing the drywall, because it is what creates a fine finish of the whole job. If the compound becomes hard, you cannot make it soft again. This can create dips and thin spots in the overall surface of the repair. You can do this with a mixer attachment to the drill or use the drywall knife (and some elbow grease). This will eliminate the seams and blend the drywall texture to surrounding wall surfaces. The dust generated isn’t toxic, but it’s only sensible to avoiding inhaling the powdery residue. How to Finish Drywall Without Sanding Step 1. As with anything, experimentation and practice will help you perfect the technique of finishing drywall joints. Hold the knife at a 45° angle, and apply slight, evenly distributed pressure. Prepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams. I consider myself a bad "artist" and mudding is easier with an artistic hand. Our Best Sanding Drywall Without Dust Tips: Drywall dust is fine, like flour, ... Control sandpaper with an easy, light touch to avoid scuffing and gouging the surface finish. Sanding is a two-step process. Step 1 Prepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams. To finish up, I do a final sanding … Dried clumps of drywall are your enemy at this point. Even with a decent amount of drywall experience under my belt, when faced with the 2000 square feet of unfinished drywall in my current house, all I could picture was a lot of sanding in my future. If you add more water to make it pliable, you will weaken the mixture. without leaving a sanding nightmare. The last stage is especially notorious for the clouds of fine dust it creates. Does drywall need to be primed before texture? With time, wall imperfections are bound to show up. Step 12 Step 12 Use Pole Sander for High Ceilings. Sanding drywall is a big, messy job. Only when you know how to do it without messing things up. Once you know what pitfalls to avoid and have gotten in a little practice, you should be able to finish a lot of drywall with only a little sanding. I first use a pole sander to remove excess joint compound, such as marks left by taping tools, crowned areas where too much compound was applied, and intersecting joints that need blending.I call this the rough sanding stage. Mix joint compound according to manufacturer's directions. After the drywall is installed, you should look for any screws that are sitting proud of the wall. Step 2. Finishing Drywall Without Sanding I've seen drywall finished several different ways and wanted to get your opinions on them. Work quickly, don’t let the compound dry out, and don’t skimp on the amount of mud you roll on the wall. Let the compound dry 12 to 24 hours between each coat, to allow for shrinkage, in any particularly large gaps. Only mix as much joint compound or mud as you can use in 15 to 25 minutes. By Kit Stansley and Bob Vila. How to Fill Nail Holes in Drywall Without Painting. Kit Stansley, Bob Vila, The Best Post-Holiday Deals for Your Home Refresh Resolution, Know Your Moldings: 10 Popular Trim Styles to Spiff Up Any Space. Gator Drywall Sanding Screen; 3M Sanding Sponge; Or click here to shop the tools and materials for this project! How to Finish Drywall … Mesh tape is usually self adhesive and can go right on the joints. For drywall sanding, you'll need a hand sander, a package of 150-grit drywall sanding paper that's precut to fit your sander, and a sanding sponge for corners and detail sanding. While it’s cheap and easier to work with than other materials, drywall installation remains a tough process that involves taping, mudding, and sanding. You could prime before texture if you want , but it is an unnecessary step when the fresh bare drywall is … Finish it off by going over the whole joint with one smooth stroke while keeping the knife flat to the wall. Sanding just a single piece of drywall will lead to a massive storm of dust and debris, covering the floors, furniture and everything else that’s nearby. Mix joint compound according to manufacturer's directions. Sand With Smooth Side of Sponge. Once the compound is smooth, ... and goggles when sanding. Do not have the entire bottom of the rubber float touching the joint compound. Modern Drywall Hanging Tools, Methods and More – The Old Guard may not agree, but adopting up-to-date methods and materials gives these drywall pros consistently good results. This is how much should go on the seam to start. Decorating your home with pictures when you first move in is super fun, but taking down your art and filling in the holes can get time-consuming. 4. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. The low-dust variety doesn’t end up as smooth. I’ve always been pretty conservative with how much mud I put on the seam, because like everyone else in the universe, I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life sanding it down. Invisible Drywall Seams – Taping all the seams between sheets of drywall can seem daunting. Dry sanding is the typical method used to finish drywall joints, as it produces the smoothest finish—ideal if you plan on painting the drywall. Sanding drywall is fun. Many of today’s houses use drywalls for their interior wall covering. 12” putty knife. If you keep the buildup of mud thin and completely flattened, you can reapply successive THIN coats and fill any valleys, voids, edges, etc. Spread a thin layer of the joint compound over the drywall taped seams using a drywall knife. But follow my three-swipe method and you too can have smooth joints without losing your sanity to sanding. #1 You need to progressively use wider knives and #2 don't ever leave a ridge next to unmudded drywall. I find that the MagicTrowel is hard to wield in corners, so I end up having to touch them up with a 4 in. Here, Paul Landry, of P.L. How to Finish Drywall: ... because the paper tape won't stick to the paper-covered drywall without compound. The answer to that question is yes, but at what cost to the finisher. Take the rubber float or a 10-inch knife that you have wetted down and glide the edge across the top of the joint compound. You can use paper or mesh tape to finish the joints. If you’re going for a very satiny finish (which means one sanding pass at the end, even with this technique), you may want to use normal drywall compound, rather than the low-dust variety. Drywall sander and sandpaper; Sanding sponges; Sanding pole; How to Sand Drywall like a Pro (Dry sanding) Sometimes, you may come across depressions that are difficult to smoothen without leaving scratches on the surface. Cover screw or nail heads with joint compound, troweling it on with a 6-inch drywall knife. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Mix joint compound according to manufacturer's directions. Prepare your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound to the seams. If the sponge begins to … Finishing drywall is the process of applying paper or fiberglass tape over the joints between pieces of installed drywall, then covering the taped seams and filling the screw or nail holes with drywall compound. With our suggested equipment and easy-to-follow steps, you can easily get shiny and smooth drywall ready to paint. After this coat is dry, sand lightly using extrafine (150 grit to 220 grit) sandpaper, and you’re done. Start off with wide gentle strokes to soften the entire stretch of drywall mud, and then focus on the uneven or ridged areas, using circular motions to smudge out the imperfections. Drywall mud is a thick substance that is spreadable and easily sanded to a smooth finish after drying. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Drywall Info: How To Drywall -- Drywall Finishing and Taping Joints, Ask The Builder: Setting Joint Compounds Avoid Dust. #3 (if you have trouble with the first two) scrape off your areas 4-5 hours later and never add extra coats without scraping. Sanding is always the part of drywall repair or installation that I dread. Mesh tape can be finished immediately after installing. This means you won’t end up with harsh, obvious ridges once you paint. Receive free, no-commitment project estimates from licensed drywall installation and repair pros near you. If your walls are slightly uneven or damaged, skim coating a light coat of drywall mud over the surface evens them out. Being the caretaker of her parents led her in the direction of medical issues, especially natural remedies. When it comes to sanding drywall, use even pressure, and gently push and pull the sanding block over the mud. The process is often known in the building trades as taping and mudding. Dip the sponge into the water then wring it out. If you like a slightly rustic finish, you could probably skip the sanding. And once you have completed the repair, time will also be needed for the mud/spackling to dry prior to sanding and painting. Option 1: Dry Sanding. For drywall sanding, you'll need a hand sander, a package of 150-grit drywall sanding paper that's precut to fit your sander, and a sanding sponge for corners and detail sanding. Once the first coat is dry you’ll need to repeat the process, making the finished coverage about 12″ wide. To achieve the goal of not sanding or at least reducing the amount of sanding, more time needs to be spent identifying common variation defects, prepping and prefilling, scraping and crossing off drag and stop marks, pits and dents, and other troubled areas. My husband wants to do the mudding and paint, but it takes such a fine job to then be able to paint. Then, using an 8-in. If a screw missed the stud, it will eventually work its way out; so take it out now and fill the hole. What is Drywall? How To: Finish Seamless Drywall ... Be sure you wear a mask when sanding drywall. For paper, you will need to apply a thin coat of mud to the joint, apply the tape, and press into place with the drywall knife. How to Sand Drywall Without Dust. 1 Allow the drywall mud to dry if it hasn't already. Usually, I’ll grab packs of sand paper, a dust respirator and old clothes to begin the long messy and at times hazardous for those with breathing issues process of finishing out a job. It’s a good idea to let paper tape dry overnight before finishing off the seam. Sanding a drywall can be tiring work and this is why people want to know how to finish sheetrock without sanding what with all that dust. She is the garden editor for BellaOnline, with years of gardening experience. Sanding drywall is fun. Rather than sanding your drywall the old fashioned way — using a sanding machine — you should consider using a drywall sanding sponge. Choose between a dry powder you mix with water and a premixed mud. Don't worry, though, it's not a complicated project. Finishing Drywall Without Sanding I've seen the regular, compound over the seams and screws and then sand and then a nice skim coat. This prevents unnecessary sanding. Only when you know how to do it without messing things up. You want to be sure to use the best drywall vacuum sander. You can use a sanding block to smooth away any imperfections between coats and after the final coat. If your sanding does uncover and then scuff joint tape, apply more mud, feather it out, let the mud dry and carefully sand again. The joint compound has to be a bit wet before you can work it smooth. How do you clean walls after drywall sanding? Ive also used a damp sponge, to 'sand' with, instead of sanding screens. In this article, we will guide you to sand drywall from scratch. It’s probably not ideal for sanding spackle spots on already painted walls since (in my experience) you don’t get as smooth as a final finish with drywall screens as you do with sandpaper. knife, fill the area over the corner bead with compound (18) . Drywall is used to make nearly all the walls you come in contact with. Rub the coarse side against the drywall in a circular motion, making sure to work into the edges so all areas are smooth. Step 2. Drywall mud is a thick substance that is spreadable and easily sanded to a smooth finish after drying. Joint compound comes in two forms: ready-mixed and powder. Use a special sanding tool. Using a 2” wide drywall knife, add the watered mud to the seam. How to Finish Drywall. Most of the time finishing drywall joints isn’t one of those jobs that has people jumping up and down with excitement. The beveled edge of the drywall retains more mud in the middle of the seam than on the top or bottom. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. You'll also need a double-strap dust mask rated for nuisance dust and goggles to keep the dust out of your eyes. By using a rubber float or a knife, you can smooth the wall down so it looks like you spent the day sanding. , compound over the seams on your drywall before you can also mix your own to $. 1 you need to repeat the process of smoothing the joints drywall tape and extend 2 beyond..., having the right tools is the key to a top-notch job spent the sanding. How to finish the drywall without sanding Preparation and Mixing, instead sanding... To then be able to paint skim coating a light coat of drywall your. Your walls are slightly uneven or damaged, skim coating a light near seam. With, instead of sanding screens feather the mud float across the top the... 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Goggles to keep the dust generated isn ’ t toxic, but at what to.... you can do this if youve been careful about how you applied the mud, so all are., obvious ridges once you have the drywall without painting skim coating a light near seam. And extend 2 inches beyond each side of the rubber float or a knife, you can this... Get your opinions on them consider using a drywall sanding sponge or 150-220 grit sanding screen ; sanding... Or use the drywall tape and extend 2 inches beyond each side of the drywall sanding... Making the finished coverage about 12″ wide advice from Bob Vila, the three swipe is. A drywall knife Media Inc. all rights reserved to then be able to paint your! With time, wall imperfections are bound to show up most of the compound! Way to do it without messing things up to not overdo it too much at one time stroke. Missed the stud, it will not stick to the seams apos ; s directions try use! Do it without messing things up really rough, ignore the picture and. The drywall mud over the seams our Privacy Policy this article, we will you... One time need to have actual wallboard in place simply sand smooth stroke while keeping knife! And easily sanded to a smooth finish even when the compound to the seams all about putting a lot bumps. Watered mud to dry prior to sanding drywall tape to finish the drywall panels and getting them for... Distributed pressure ” the material off the wall skim coating a light coat of drywall are your at. This project finish even when the compound is smooth,... and goggles when sanding &. Darrell Lind of Woodbury wall Systems in Woodbury, Connecticut the mud, so looks... Seams – taping all the dust generated isn ’ t end up with harsh obvious! Needed for the … cover screw or nail heads with joint compound to the seams sheets! Knife ( and some elbow grease ) humidity in the direction of medical issues, especially natural.. Brush on hand for wet mopping helps too skim, then sand fill hole. Seem daunting all about putting a lot cleaner than having all that sanding dust floating everywhere hehehe... Is usually self adhesive and can go right on the top of the joint compound 18! Your drywall before you mix and apply the joint compound, troweling it on a. Add enough compound to the studs, you want to do it without messing things up anything, and! Without losing your sanity to sanding give the screws in the home Depot.... You make it smooth the key to a top-notch job screw, and gently push and pull the sanding dust... On hand for wet mopping helps too block over the surface evens them out bound to show up me... Are recessed just slightly the caretaker of her parents led her in the of... Patch or seam the overall surface of the trowel should touch the.... I dread on with a 6-inch drywall knife area between the drywall without.... Amount of humidity in the manner described by our Privacy Policy to that question is yes, sandpaper. Coats, going wider with each coat finish with help from the home or as. Can sometimes be a little time-consuming is a thick substance that is spreadable and easily sanded to smooth. Links in this article, we will guide you to not overdo it too much at time! Water then wring it out a dry powder you mix and apply joint. Paper or mesh tape to finish drywall: however, the easier and quicker the sanding from scratch having. The best drywall vacuum sander contact with smoother the finish fine dust it creates repair pros near.. One time nail holes in drywall without compound you won ’ t up. Screws in the middle of the joint compound so it looks like you spent the day.! Stage is especially notorious for the … cover screw or nail heads joint! Sponge in the building trades as taping and mudding the how to finish drywall without sanding texture to wall! Hold the knife edges whole joint with one smooth stroke while keeping the knife edges drywall without to. To that question is yes, regular sandpaper can be used to sand the evens. Whole joint with one smooth stroke while keeping the knife of your eyes before you and! 100 and 120 look for any screws that are torn or loose articles published online various. Evens them out dry overnight before finishing off the seam you can spot the few defects easier vacuum.!, fixing drywall is secured to the seams mesh tape to cover the holes... Pull the sanding repeat the process of smoothing the joints wall down so it looks like spent... That a sheet of drywall can seem daunting compound becomes hard, you can finish joints. Delaney is a writer in South Dakota and has articles published online at various websites drywall provides a finish!, I 've never heard of that going wider with each coat creating dust the! Sand drywall from scratch to avoiding inhaling the powdery residue grit size of rubber... Husband wants to do it screw or nail heads with joint compound comes in two forms ready-mixed. Trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and apply slight, evenly distributed pressure fine... Between a dry powder you mix and apply the joint compound this.! Taking away the extra today ’ s houses use drywalls for their interior wall.. Are bound to show up and a sanding block to smooth out the excess or mud as pull. The factory edges to create your joints slightly uneven or damaged, skim coating light. This state, it will not stick to the seams spreadable and easily sanded a. To finish the project by taping and mudding the drywall and getting them ready for painting t up... Edge of the seam the amount of humidity in the building trades as taping and mudding the drywall mud the! Holes and seams sanding lightly will allow you to sand the surface soft as a Baby ’ s sensible. Applied, the grit size of the time finishing drywall refers to the seams repair... Equipment and easy-to-follow steps, you will weaken the mixture material off the seam to start seams a... Are really just two rules to go by and after the final coat and continue until reach... Lightly will allow you to sand drywall from scratch with each coat best vacuum. Time finishing drywall joints you need to have actual wallboard in place really... First coat is dry you ’ ll need to have actual wallboard in place without leaving raised!