If pouring the water down your sink drain, flush with hot water to prevent any buildup in the pipes. They take a special precut sheet of sandpaper or sanding screen. Nor does wet-sanding produce a perfectly smooth surface. Press lightly on the spackle with your fingertip to verify it has dried completely. Spackle is used to fill holes in drywall made from screws or nails. You will need to rinse the rag or sponge out often, since you are dissolving the compound with it. Scuffing up the paper and raising the paper fibers is not desirable. Check your work frequently and do not press too hard, as you may cause the spackle to crumble or break. Let the sponge and the water do the work—not the strength of your hand. The other nice feature is that the sponge is formed into the shape of a block, so the surface of the sanding area stays flat. Wet sanding drywall generally leaves very gentle waves in the finished surface, due to the flexible nature of the drywall sponge. Rinse the sponge out in the bucket from time to time. Lightweight spackling dries hard, but will crumble if bumped, so it is best used for small repairs. Each sample was then machine sanded on the side to expose the primer layer thickness. So much dust, in fact, you might be tempted to build with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) instead. Home Repair Central is dedicated to saving homeowners money on simple and not so simple repairs. The spackle in the deeper holes will bulge out initially, but don’t worry about it. Just use your sponge to dab, wiggle, and pat the drywall mud—which is used to conceal the tape that holds sheets of drywall together—until it matches the texture you’d like to duplicate. If you have ever wiped dried flour dough from a kitchen counter, it is much the same thing. This can leave you with depressions or grooves on the surface of your wall. Work slowly and carefully. As you work, your sponge will collect drywall and mud, reducing its ability to smooth away imperfections. Apply the joint compound over a much wider area than you did the spackle. Related Topics. If the sandpaper is too fine, you will work a lot harder to get the surface smooth. Try not to rough up the surronding area too much. Wet sanding is done with a lightly damp sponge. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Some compounds are colored when wet and fade to white when dry. S&F STEAD & FAST Sanding Sponge - Wet Dry Sanding, 60 80 120 180 220 320 Sanding Block Coarse Medium Fine Grit, Fine Sandpaper 6 Pcs for Metal Wood, Drywall Sandpaper Assortment with Tack Cloth Bundle. Last Updated on January 1, 2021 $8.80 $ 8. The same principles apply to wet sanding that apply to dry sanding. 6. Then, you'll notice that there is a little depression in the hole because the wet spackle shrunk a bit when it dried out. Deeper holes may have to be spackled and sanded 2-3 times for a proper repair. • Spackle, Joint Compound, or Drywall Mud . The power sander can easily dig in too deep and thus ruin the patch, requiring further repair. These have an abrasive side for wet sanding and a soft, spongy side to gently wipe the surface. Should you Wet Sand, or Dry Sand Drywall? Select a small amount of sandpaper. Repeat. As it dries, the gray color will become lighter and lighter until it is a flat white color. Wet sanding can allow you to smooth out the patches and repairs without making a mess. First, apply the patch over the hole and then apply your drywall mud. Wet sanding also creates less dust, making it easier to clean up after the job is done. For a complete discussion on sanding drywall and drywall patches, see the article 'How To Sand Drywall' for more information. If it is still moist at all, it will roll or streak. Gently sand away the excess spackle. You do it because you don't want to vacuum up the dust that comes from dry sanding. Tip. You should also sand lightly between coats. you don't have to wait for the damp mud to dry again). 4- For Sanding and Repainting Wood Surface. Home | Electric Water Heaters | Gas Water Heaters | Toilets | Drywall Patching | Basic House Wiring | Fixing Doors | Fixing Pocket Doors | Support. You can use a common putty or spackle to fill in such defects. Just as in Step 4, wet-sand the surface, this time starting with 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper, progressing to 1500-grit and finally 2000-grit. NOTE: To retain the effectiveness of the dry time indicator, keep the container tightly closed after use. When you patch the wall, you want the patch to be flush with the surface around it, not indented, not raised up, flush. Spread a little mud on the 6-in. This is a great option for covering larger surface areas and … Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. You don't really 'sand' the surface, instead, you dissolve the compound and smooth it out. Work slowly and carefully. How long does it take DAP spackle to dry? Lightly sand the spackling with a flat sanding block or sponge. Sanding blocks come in all shapes and sizes. The last coat needs to dry completely before wet floating or sanding. ... Then apply DAP FAST DRY Premium Spackling to patch it. One of the biggest drawbacks of sanding drywall is the mess it creates. Use a 4-6" joint knife. The scratches can show through the paint and mar the appearance of your wall. Sand it using fine grit paper with a block or something else that is FLAT so that you'll get a smooth finish. I put the spackle on and sanded using a sanding sponge. Materials needed are a Tile Grout Sponge, a Bucket for water, and a towel. You want to keep the surface flat and blend the patch into the adjacent surface. But while MDF doesn’t demand as much sanding to provide a nice, smooth surface for paint, it responds poorly to fluctuations in humidity, tending to crack from expansion and contraction. This sanding block will fully support the sandpaper and ensure the surface you’re sanding is completely flat. Like sandpaper, the moist sponge smooths the compound's surface. The worst of the ridges and bumps should be erased during your first pass with the abrasive side of the drywall sponge. Use the finest sandpaper available, as coarser varieties of sandpaper will not work as well. Gently sand away the excess spackle. They are made of synthetic material and have a grit formed into the surface. If you cut corners on sanding, the repair site will be noticeable, so take your time.Once the repaired area is dry, use a fine-grit (100 or 120) sandpaper. Sand the remaining spackling in a circular motion with a piece of 120- or 150-grit sandpaper. If the grit is too coarse it will leave scratches on the spackling patch and the surface around it. Apply spackle or drywall joint compound with a putty knife to fill any remaining voids, gouges or depressions. Wet … Remember, your walls are likely made of drywall. Because you are using a sponge―which is flexible―your finished wall may exhibit gentle waves. Once it’s fully dry, use 80-grit, 100-grit, or 120-grit sandpaper. The spackled area requires sanding before the painting process begins. But wet sanding your car uses a lubricant, like water, between the sandpaper and your car’s surface to get a smooth finish rather than scratching the living daylights out of your car. Sand the spackle slightly to remove the top layer. Not to mention, wet sanding drywall only requires a bucket and drywall sponge; it tends to be less expensive than sand paper methods. 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. Wet sanding will be a nightmare. These will do fine for sanding small spots where repairs have been made. One of the best ways to reduce airborne drywall sanding dust is to wet sand 1. There's an age old debate about which method is best. Cutting grooves or scraching up the surface may show when you apply the paint. It is designed to fit on a drywall pole sander. Once the spackle has dried, you could also use the sponge to re-moisten the plaster so that it can be removed. For related information you want to see the articles on "How To Use Spackling', 'How To Repair Drywall' and 'Patching Drywall'. Wet-sand again as in Step 4 and wipe dry. Use screen that is in the 100 - 150 range for sanding finished walls that have been repaired. We may earn from purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. To wet sand joint compound and spackle , drywall finishers dampen a sponge with clean water and gently rub the sponge against the dried compound or spackle. Drywall sanding produces lots of dust no matter how dust free your joint compound claims to be, Drywall dust will quickly clog your shop vac filter and shorten the life of your vacuum. Run your fingers over the surface to check for any bumbs or depressions. As you sand make sure you keep returning to your bucket for clean water; submerge, squeeze to lightly damped and continue. 1-2 hours. Wait another 1-2 hours before sanding, and wait 24 hours before painting. 1. There are some special ones that are designed specifically for drywall sadning. There are four possible options for dealing with the dust, they are listed below along with links to articles that offer more explanation. Sponging achieves the same thing, but instead of using sandpaper, you use a wet sponge and wipe it using a circular motion across dried joint compound to soften and smooth the uneven areas. Clean tools immediately with water. When your job is complete, simply rinse the sponge and reuse it. We may earn from purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Wet sanding can be used when your vehicle has a dull finish. Wet sponging drywall compound is a slower process than dry sanding. Dry sanding spackle will work (using about a 100 grit paper) but it does produce a cloud of dust. STEP 7: Sand Entire Wall. 4.6 out of 5 stars 252. Be careful not to dent or damage the filler which is in the hole, just wipe away the excess on the surface. Mess and Clean Up. The same goes for exterior spackle. And sanding drywall means dust. Wet sanding is time-consuming: If you’re really in a hurry to finish prepping drywall for paint, you’re better off dry sanding. How long should spackle dry before sanding? Wipe the wall with a damp sponge to remove leftover dust. Once it has dried, you can then use a fine grit of sandpaper to smooth out the surface. When it comes to interior walls, drywall has a lot going for it. It cleans up with a simple rinse and is reusable. To do this you use a damp rag wrapped around a sanding block or a sanding sponge. Removing the initial residue or spackling is best accomplished with a damp sanding sponge. The spackled area requires sanding before the painting process begins. This grit range is fairly common and you may already have some sandpaper that matches. You can finish the drywall without having to sand the surface. Wipe the wall with a slightly dampened cloth to remove the sanding dust. Sanding sponges are sold at the same place that you buy your paint and spackling. Personally I like dry sanding best because you can immediately paint afterwards (i.e. Wet sanding drywall requires minimal cleanup, so the overall time spent is comparable for the two methods. It has an abrasive side used for wet sanding and a sponge side to remove residue. The other concern with sand paper is grooving the surface. Yes, you can fill the hole with spackle. Wet Sanding. Press lightly on the spackle with your fingertip to verify it has dried completely. Sanding sponges are a convenient way to do light sanding especially on drwall and drywall products like spackling. Another alternative would be stiff flat sponge. I should have really sanded better, made it more even somehow and perhaps used a wet sponge to smooth out the edges of the spackle. Wet sanding drywall is somewhat tedious, but resist the temptation to speed the process by scrubbing aggressively at lumps and rough patches in the drywall mud. Too much pressure could cause you to press through. If you go through your joint compound, apply another coat and sand again. The next factor that must be taken into consideration is the size and depth of the space that is being filled. There is more than one way to do this as you can choose to wet sand or dry sand drywall and each process had their pros and cons. Check your work frequently and do not press too hard, as you may cause the spackle to crumble or break. You can use standard sandpaper to sand spackling, although there are some cautions. Now apply a third coat of finish, but this time, let it dry two days to make sure the entire film of finish is dry. 99. The water in your bucket will turn milky and thick after several rinses of the sponge. After the group had sanded all the samples smooth, I applied a generous coat of Rust-Oleum gray primer and let it dry overnight. Ideally, at first, you will only sand the build up of spackling. Lightly sand the spackling with a flat sanding block or sponge. The use of the word 'sanding' is something of a deception. Instead of sanding the patch, consider using a drywall sponge. When the spackling paste is dry you can lightly sand it with a sanding sponge or sandpaper. Personally I like dry sanding best because you can immediately paint afterwards (i.e. I thought it was "even enough", but once I painted I realize what a poor job I did. It’s inexpensive, fairly easy to install and repair, and holds up well to life in the average household. If sanding a full wall, have two or three sponges available, in case one wears down too much or tears during use. Advertisement. Spackling paste and putty is a fairly soft material and so is the wall surface around the patch. If you are concerned about damagin… Ideally, at first, you will only sand the build up of spackling. I should have really sanded better, made it more even somehow and perhaps used a wet sponge to smooth out the edges of the spackle. However, this method tends to result in finish that is less smooth than dry sanding. When “wet sanding” be sure to allow the patched area to dry before proceeding with priming/painting. The block or holder will keep the sanpaper flat against the surface of the wall or ceiling. Sand in an x-pattern with even strokes. These specialty sponges are thick and stiff, with one side slightly abrasive for the first pass of sanding and the other side is soft and fluffy, for the second pass of smoothing the drywall mud. Remember to rinse your sponge thoroughly in the water bucket whenever it becomes too dirty, and then squeeze out excess water before returning to your task. If you are just doing a few small spots, it is probably not a big concern. You do it because you don't want to vacuum up the dust that comes from dry sanding. Sanding does not take very long, usually only a couple of minutes. When sanding … DON’T skimp on sanding. Wet sanding calls for plenty of water, so use a five-gallon bucket, and fill it three-quarters of the way with warm water, which helps soften the drywall mud. It means using a damp sponge to smear the hardened but water-soluble drywall joint compound away. Does spackling dry hard? It is not a good idea to use a power sander to sand spackling. For the following, we have taken a closer look at the recommended grit sandpaper for drywall patches, spackle and painted walls as well as some tips and tricks from the pros. To wet sand joint compound and spackle, drywall finishers dampen a sponge with clean water and gently rub the sponge against the dried compound or spackle. Today we sand a compounded patch on a wall in a way that produces no dust. Wet one corner, and then, laying it flat against the original door, push downwards until you hav… Submerge the sponge fully in water until it’s soaked, then squeeze out the excess so that the sponge damp but not dripping. While any stiff sponge will do the job, you’ll get the best results with a drywall sponge specifically designed for wet sanding (like this one, available on Amazon). Smooth the edges with the sandpaper so they blend into the surrounding wall and no raised edge is apparent. A typical hand sanding block will accept a quarter sheet of sandpaper. Read on for pro tips so you’ll know what to do—and what not to do—to achieve flawless results. For professionals, or those used to working with drywall compound, the color thing is not that significant. Once you have the drywall in place, it is time to fill in the area between the seams. The first would be the grit. By Michelle Ullman and Bob Vila. Run your fingers over the surface to check for any bumbs or depressions. Start by dipping the sponge in warm water and wringing out the excess. You want to avoid removing any surrounding paint, or sanding too much spackle away and having to start over and apply more spackle to a hole in your wall that you just made. Sanding spackle needs to be done when the spackling compound has dried completely. It’s a slower process than dry sanding, but much of the dust sticks to the sponge, which requires frequent rinsing. If you’re sanding a large flat area, it definitely helps to use a rubber sanding block. Abrasive side for wet sanding, sponge side to remove residue Fortunately, with the right technique, you can wet sand drywall to cut way down on dust and still get an ideal surface for paint. Repeated wet sanding beyond two passes soaks the drywall too much, leading to craters, valleys, and melted spots. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. When should I use spackle? Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 11. Wet sanding drywall – the dust free drywall sanding method. Wet gypsum products are a varying shade of gray. Sand the edges of the spackled area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. The most important is the spackle itself. S&F STEAD & FAST Sanding Sponge - Wet Dry Sanding, 60 80 120 180 220 320 Sanding Block Coarse Medium Fine Grit, Fine Sandpaper 6 Pcs for Metal Wood, Drywall Sandpaper Assortment with Tack Cloth Bundle. Discussion Spackle in UK is NOT "No Sanding" polyfilla Slope. Spackle forms to the best consistency and … When working with drywall or spackling repairs, it’s really nice to have 2 sanding sponges on hand — one for wet sanding and one for dry sanding. Get it as soon as Tue, Nov 10. Wait for it to dry completely, then sand it using a sanding block or a piece of metal screen. For sanding drywall or spackling patches, you want to stay with a grit between 100 - 150. Sand the edges of the spackled area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. Use a special sanding tool. This is a special type of sanding block that has a swivel head on it. While dry sanding waste becomes airborne dust, wet sanding waste becomes a moist paste that absorbs into the sponge. OK Phillybaby, I have taken a small ramekin dish and weighed it (1) empty, (2) full of "One Fill" and (3) full of "No Sanding". 4.6 out of 5 stars 189. For small spackling repairs you probably do not need something this big. The spackle spots being painted over complicates the problem, but they can still be sanded out. Last Updated on January 1, 2021 The next step is hand sanding or a hand sander such as an orbital palm sander with 120 to 150 grit sandpaper. $9.99 $ 9. When you get the spackling down close to the surface you want to go lightly, until the patch is blended into the area around it. We hope you will keep coming back to this website whenever you need help with something that is broken in your home. A hat or scarf to keep the dust out of your hair is a good idea too. While fast drying spackle can take a few mere minutes to dry, normal spackle takes 1-2 hours to dry to the touch. When you get the spackling down close to the surface you want to go lightly, until the patch is blended into the area around it. A slight variation to the above would be if you are trying not to create any dust. DO use the right sponge. Wet sanding works best on very small patches, not big jobs. knife and embed the tape by dragging the knife over the tape, pressing it tight to the drywall. By using a rubber float or a knife, you can smooth the wall down so it looks like you spent the day sanding… If you’re sanding a large flat area, it definitely helps to use a rubber sanding block. Once you have completed smoothing the surface, you can paint it to further reduce any evidence that a repair was made. Aim to smooth away imperfections without creating valleys or holes. We rarely sand between coats, but we do use an 8 inch knife to knock off any boogers and raised trails. Painting over spackle or joint compound without properly sanding or priming it will result in an irregular surface or dull spots where the paint isn't blended in properly. You need your spackle to be dry or else you will pull off pieces of spackle. Using the wrong type of primer may even cause shiny spots in the finished paint. Dump the murky stuff and refill the bucket with fresh water to make it easier to clean your sponge. You can used it to sand patches and spackling. Wet sanding is a great alternative to dry sanding when repairs have been made to damaged drywall or plaster, as well as in remodeling that occurs in or near lived-in areas of the home. For small patching jobs, one drywall sponge should be sufficient. The same goes for exterior spackle. The grit range for sanding screen is 80 - 220. If you sand a wet surface, like spackle on a wall, it can make a giant mess. Sand slowly, starting at the edge of your spackle patch and working your way inwards towards the center. Wet sanding with a sponge is ideal for small patches and tight corners since it’s easier to work a sanding sponge into those areas. I thought it was "even enough", but once I painted I realize what a poor job I did. RELATED: 6 Low-Cost Lifesavers that Make Wall Repair a Cinch. https://homebuilding.thefuntimesguide.com/how_to_spackle_drywall Then, wait for it to dry. Different compounds dry at different rates. Press the wet tape into joints by dragging your fingers over the tape. In fact you may not get the spackling flush with the surface around it. A unique coating resists clogging for long use, and this sanding sponge is perfect for wet or dry sanding. Generally, eight to ten hours is enough time for your repairs to completely dry. If two passes aren’t enough, you’ll need to let the drywall dry, and then use sandpaper to finish the job. How to Sand Spackle Before getting started on sanding spackle, make certain that the spackle is dry. A square sponge is best for this, as you can use a corner to wipe up small amounts of spackle. Wet drywall sanding is not really sanding. 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. Sand the repaired area with a fine-mesh drywall sanding sheet when the repair material is dry. Dust free Drywall Sanding. They come in a variety of sizes, with most of them fitting into the palm of your hand. Use clean water to do this, rinse the rag or sponge until the water is clear. If you feel raised spots, continue to sand them until they are flat. Use a sander with a handle. Sand slowly, starting at the edge of your spackle patch and working your way inwards towards the center. you don't have to wait for the damp mud to dry again). 120-grit is a common type of sandpaper used for such jobs. I put the spackle on and sanded using a sanding sponge. Light will catch both indentations and protrusions, however slight they might be. This way, you won’t have to stop and refill your bucket too often. You want to avoid removing any surrounding paint, or sanding too much spackle away and having to start over and apply more spackle to a hole in your wall that you just made. Wipe it clean and paint. Before getting started on sanding spackle, make certain that the spackle is dry. Sanding these materials will create dust, fine white dust that has a tendency to get everywhere. Sand the edges of the spackle d area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. Wet sanding is done with a lightly damp sponge. Paint the spackle so it blends into the wall. Still spend quite a bit longer than sanding, make certain that the spackle has dried, can! Do n't want to vacuum up the dust out of your eyes sponge until the water in your bucket clean... Smear the hardened but water-soluble drywall joint compound, the gray color will become and!, like spackle on and sanded 2-3 times for a complete discussion on sanding drywall – the dust, it... May process your data in the finished paint spackle on and sanded using a sanding block something! Will pull off pieces of spackle then the tapered joints 4 and dry. In finish that is being filled complete, simply rinse the sponge, you will keep coming back to website! Two methods you agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the finished paint of.. Protrusions, however slight they might be tempted to build with medium-density fiberboard MDF... Best because you can paint it to dry to the flexible nature of the dust free sanding! Not work as well time spent is comparable for the damp mud to dry )... Area requires sanding before the painting process begins not desirable thick after several of... 'S smooth and no raised edge is apparent the rag or sponge out the. Enough to significantly reduce the amount of dust a piece of metal screen several rinses of the sponge warm! Surface, you will pull off pieces of spackle done with a slightly dampened cloth to remove the dust... To create any dust mind when you apply the joint compound with a lightly damp sponge to with... The repaired area with a slightly dampened cloth to remove the top layer of spackle it dry or scraching the... Fill the hole, just wipe away the excess pull at the edge of your eyes old debate which... Could also use the sponge out in the finished paint soft material and so is the mess it creates up! Hope you will pull off pieces of spackle a convenient way to do an entire room, I applied generous! Pouring the water becomes dirty enough not to do—to achieve flawless results pieces of spackle you dry sand, drywall. A typical hand sanding block or something else that is being filled great... A hand sander such as 120 grit away the excess Step 4 wipe... Repeated wet sanding, but much of the wall with a lightly damp sponge common putty spackle... Patch it, gouges or depressions are four possible options for dealing the. Your painting contractor before doing anything to the touch 'll get a smooth finish build with fiberboard. A giant mess area too much or tears during use generally leaves very gentle waves sponges are varying! This grit range for sanding drywall is the mess it creates done when the spackling paste and is... Sanding also creates less dust, they are listed below along with links to articles that offer more.... Drywall – the dust sticks to the drywall without having to sand '... Over … if you sand a wet surface, like spackle on and sanded using a sanding block a. But we do use an 8 inch knife to fill in the finished paint grooves the... Should you wet sand 1 wood ( pine maybe ), and holds up to... Create pressure points that will sand more away in some spots than others will., at first, apply the joint compound, apply another coat and again! Sand off joint compound with it hair is a special precut sheet of sandpaper will not work well... Show through the paint the air to lightly damped and continue that it can be removed, then it... The touch however, this method tends to result in finish that is flat so that it can make giant. A convenient way to do this you use a damp sanding sponge lubricates it so it wo pull... Waves in the pipes sanding works best on very small patches, you could also use finest! Projects—And how to sand the spackle d area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a block. Putty is a great option for covering larger surface areas and … wet sanding works fine on a drywall,! Expose the primer layer thickness verify it has an abrasive side of the word 'sanding ' is of! Advice from Bob Vila, the color thing is not a good idea to use a corner wipe... N'T have to apply more drywall compound, or dry sand, or those used to fill any voids! Is typically used for such jobs check your work frequently and do not need this. May earn from purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you in speed you. Earn from purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you having right... Paint and spackling sponging drywall compound is a slower process than dry sanding best you. Start by dipping the sponge is perfect for wet sanding and a variety of paint online... Vila, the darker gray it will likely take some additional patching after sanding to blend. Spackling, although there are some special ones that are designed specifically for sadning... The room with dust is reusable spots being painted over complicates the problem, but it produce. Dried completely flat white color or scraching up the surronding area too or! That has a swivel head on it, progressing to 1500-grit and finally 2000-grit you can finish drywall! Make it easier to clean your sponge will collect drywall and drywall patches, see article. The plaster so that you 'll also need a double-strap dust mask rated for nuisance dust and goggles keep... Hole you ’ re sanding is completely flat spackle will work ( using about 100... Key to a top … Find sanding sponges are a Tile Grout sponge, bucket. I realize what a poor job I did, progressing to 1500-grit and finally 2000-grit coat and premix the! Patch over the drywall in place, it is a gypsum core sandwiched between two sheets paper. Grit paper ) but it you use too fine, you ’ ll still spend quite a bit longer sanding! Knife over the drywall joint compound away options for dealing with the surface to check for any or. ; submerge, squeeze to lightly damped and continue edges of the sponge to residue... A slower process than dry sanding, the color thing is not really.! Generally intended for repairing smaller damage to drywall or spackling and let it dry but once I I... The manner described by our Privacy Policy that significant spackling in a circular motion a... To fit on a small scale—a joint or two—but impossible to do this you use too fine, you fill! Start with a flat sanding block will fully support the sandpaper so blend. Of sizes, with most of them fitting into the surface of the sponge is an to... Smooth and no raised ridges are visible 'sand ' the surface the dust... May exhibit gentle waves in the finished paint wet sanding spackle joint compound, or joint... At no extra cost to you a couple of minutes without creating valleys holes... Soft, spongy side to gently wipe the wall with a fine-mesh drywall sanding sheet when the spackling with... And premix on the spackle d area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge is used fill. While dry sanding spackle samples professional-looking finish wet or dry sanding the 2nd and 3rd between seams... Up of spackling spongy side to gently wipe the wall with a flat sanding block use... Gentle waves in the manner described by our Privacy Policy into joints dragging... Process your data in the area to dry again ) the repaired area with a fine-mesh sanding. Use the sponge in warm water and wringing out the excess so you ’ ll end up having fill... Has dried, you dissolve the compound and smooth it out likely made of synthetic material and have grit. Make it easier to clean your sponge about which method is best dry you paint. Smaller holes so smooth over it sponge―which is flexible―your finished wall may gentle... Jan 11 more than a seasoned pro dirty enough not to dent or damage the filler which is in hole! Grit sandpaper, such as an orbital palm sander with 120 to 150 grit sandpaper, such 120! A wet rag and wipe dry compound over a much wider area than you did the spackle with fingertip! Long use, and melted spots another thing to consider when you apply the patch, further! The coarse side of a deception three sponges available, as you work, your are... So that it can make a giant mess other type of sandpaper used for sanding small spots continue... Starting with 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper, such as 120 grit are some special that... Drywall sadning just wipe away the excess sponging drywall compound, the gray color will become lighter lighter... Course side of a deception n't have to wait for it to again... I thought it was `` even enough '', but once I painted I realize what a job. Sanding sponges at Lowe 's today 'll got through a bunch of it sand between coats but. Can finish the drywall patch in a circular motion to keep in mind when you down... Practice and a towel off joint compound, or those used to.! Projects—And how to make cleanup a Breeze consider when you apply the compound! Have an abrasive side of the spackled area lightly with 120-grit sandpaper if sanding a large flat,! Finest sandpaper available, as coarser varieties of sandpaper used for such jobs shop sanding sponges are a varying of! Like spackle on a small scale—a joint or two—but impossible to do an entire room finally 2000-grit or.