Drywall?

[sissybells]

We are getting ready to start drywalling our basement and I remember when we did it in our last house the sanding made the biggest mess. I was wondering if anyone has tried wet sanding? How did it work and was it alot easier? THank yOu for helping.

 

[FroggyinArk]

NOOOOOOOOO do not try wet sanding sheet rock,, you will ruin it.


the bvest way to avoid a huge mess( you will still get dust all over but not as much) is to have 2 people, and a really good shop vac , one of the big ones with th etriple filtration system, have the helper hold hose near the sander, or attach a longer hose like a pool vac hose, and tape it directly to your sanding block or pole, thats the w ay we sand it on our job sites and while we still get dust its a lot less.

 

[MickiMouth]

If your walls are very smooth, put a skim coat over the finish and you should only have to lightly sand. If you prefer to wet sand you will not ruin your walls. You aren't soaking the drywall you are only feathering the edges, doing the seams but it has to be a smooth finish. If you sand the walls just sweep up the dust and use a dustpan not your vaccuum.

 

[Charade]

I would also recommend putting up a sheet of plastic at the top of the steps to block any dust from getting up there.

Also, watch out when you run your heating system if you have a forced air system. You will send the dust throughout the entire house.

Lastly I would recommend what Froggy said as the best way to keep the dust down to a minimum. Get sanding sheets that look like a mesh and not regular sanding paper. They do a better job and make less of a mess. They also have holders for that type of paper that you can attach a vac hose to and since the paper is very porous, the dust will be sucked through the holes.
Sand slowly. If you do a decent job spackling it will minimize the need to sand.

BTW, I HATE spackling!!!

 

[MickiMouth]

I would be careful using mesh paper as it can leave scratches.
You could also look into renting a dustless sander. They can be difficult to use as they are big and bulky.

 

[DrCavin]

http://www.homestore.com/HomeGarden...O_FinishSandingDrywallSeams.asp?poe=homestore

A guy at work did the "wet sanding", was closer to wet sponging. When the drywall mud gets moist, you can smooth the high spots and fill the low spots with a damp sponge. He thought it worked pretty well. I have always sanded it, using a sander attached to a shop-vac is about the best I have tried.

 

[RUDisney]

I am the only person in my house who is allowed to even say spackle because I've seen what my DH can do with it.

Make sure your coats of spackle are thin and definitely wet sand your work. I think it's easier and cleaner than dry sanding. If you're going to dry sand, get a sanding block. I sometimes go over my wet sanding with a block to make sure it's smooth... once it has dried again.

Since you've gotten so many different opinions at this point, are you sorry that you asked yet?

 

[sissybells]

LOL. I'm definately not sorry I asked. I love all the ideas and will go over them all with DH. Thank You All so much.

 

[Charade]

I would be careful using mesh paper as it can leave scratches.
.

You're right but if you're careful it can be avoided. Plus you can smooth it out with a slightly damp sponge.

 

[Charade]

Be careful using a damp sponge. It doesn't stay flat like a sandpaper holder does. I only use a wet sponge for a final smooth finish once the sanding is done if needed.