After patching drywall from scratches & holes, you need to sand the patch to make it smooth & match it with the existing wall. If you want to give the same look to the wall as before, you have to be precise while sanding. If you sand it too much or sand it less than what is required, this can create scratch marks on the wall.
Drywall sanding can be done in two ways. You can use a sander or you can use sanding blocks or sponges.
When sanding a drywall patch, sanding blocks/ sponges are more suitable. Using sanding blocks gives more control while sanding. You can detect every small patch & sand them as you want.
In this article, we will give you a detailed guideline about sanding a drywall patch using a sanding block or a sanding sponge.
How to Sand Drywall Patch
For sanding a patch, you need to follow some steps. Follow the steps we have mentioned below & the job should be done without any hassle.
Prepare the surface
Prepare the surface you are going to sand. And by preparing we mean, make sure the wall is clean & smooth before you start sanding. If there are any mud spots in the wall after patching, then remove them with a mud knife.
Prepare yourself
Prepare the equipment that is going to be needed in sanding. In drywall sanding, you can get the job done by using a sanding block. If you want to do wet sanding, then also keep a sanding sponge. The mud knife is optional. It can be helpful with removing the mud spots. So you can keep them if you want.
You should know that you have to face a lot of dust in this work. Using a vacuum helps in a limited way. It can’t remove all the dust from the room.The drywall dust contains chemicals that are dangerous to the human body. So wear a mask & eye protection before you start.
Cover the room
Cover your whole room, & floor with plastic covers. Also, cover the furniture & electrical tools, The chemical dust can damage them permanently.
Use a sanding block
If the patches are small, sanding blocks are very good to use. Use a 120-150 sanding block. grit sanding block. Put a slight pressure and start sanding over the patches. Keep sanding until it smoothly matches with the wall. Don’t put too much pressure. It can further create more scratches on the wall.
Note: You can also check out how to make sandpaper at home.
If the patches are having large areas, Use a bigger sanding block. It will ease your work & also will save some time of yours. then it is good to start sanding from the edges. Because that’s where the transition is gonna happen. Keep sanding the edge line & then go into the inside area. Don’t rush. Take your time & look for the remaining small spots on the wall. Take them out by using the corner of the sander.
How to sand drywall patch without dust
You really don’t want to deal with a ton of dust after sanding. But the problem is, sanding produces a lot of dust. You are sure looking for a way to save yourself from that trouble, right?
Luckily, there’s a solution to this problem. If you want no dust in your room after sanding the patch, then you can go for wet sanding. Wet sanding is the most popular way of sanding drywall, which produces almost little to no dust!
For wet sanding, you’ll need a sanding sponge. Use 120 or 150 grit sanding sponge. Follow the safety measures as stated above. Also, the preparation you should take is almost the same as before.
Now, take a bucket & pour some water in it. Soak the sponge in water for a few seconds making sure that it is wet enough. Squeeze the sponge to release the extra water. Then start sanding. If the water gets milky, change the water when it’s needed.
By following the above method, you’ll get rid of the dust problems & you don’t have to face hurdles of clearing the room after sanding.
Let the drywall dry for a few hours & it will be ready if you want to paint the wall.
FAQ
- Is sanding drywall dangerous?
Drywall contains many ingredients (gypsum, silica, clay, etc). So, the drywall dust can cause irritation to your body or throat irritation. Also, you can face breathing problems if you have asthma. There is also a possibility of long term diseases if you are under constant sanding process. So keeping yourself safe from the dust should be your topmost priority.
- Can I use a power sander for drywall sanding?
There are dedicated drywall sanders available for drywall sanding, In some cases, you also can use an orbital sander also.
Conclusion
Sanding drywall is not a hard task to do. With a little patience you can do the job easily. Just be careful so that you don’t damage the wall while sanding.
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