How to Wet-Sand Drywall in 5 Easy Steps
Reduce dust to keep you safe
Wet-sanding drywall is a technique that can elevate the quality of your home improvement projects, turning rough and uneven surfaces into smooth, flawless canvases ready for paint or texture. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or embarking on your first renovation effort, learning how to wet-sand drywall is a relatively simple task, but it can be time-consuming. However, it lets you sand drywall without creating lots of dust and debris. Read on to discover how this process can transform your walls and add value to your living spaces.
What Is Wet-Sanding?
Wet-sanding drywall is a technique contractors and DIYers use to smooth and finish drywall surfaces, including walls and ceilings. For traditional dry-sanding, contractors use sandpaper to remove excess joint compounds and create a smooth surface. In contrast, contractors wet-sand using a damp sponge, and this sanding method is less abrasive, minimizes dust, and creates a smoother surface for your remodeling project.
Benefits of Wet-Sanding Drywall
Wet-sanding offers various benefits for home and commercial drywall finishing. Here’s why you should consider it for your next project:
Less dust: Dry-sanding results in fine dust that poses a risk of health issues and makes your home feel dirty. Wet-sanding uses a damp sponge instead of dry sandpaper, so it’s a cleaner and safer method because it creates much less dust.
Smoother finish: The damp sponge helps evenly distribute drywall joint compound as you wet-sand, meaning it will fill in and smooth out small imperfections in the remaining joint compound that stays on the wall. If you do it well enough, you can make a flawless base for paint or whatever finishing wall treatment you choose.
Less abrasive: Dry, gritty sandpaper is abrasive, whereas a wet sponge is not. So, if you want to protect your drywall and reduce the risk of scratching or damaging the paper surface, choose wet-sanding for a gentle approach. This is especially effective for finishing coats that require a light touch.
Easier cleanup: Less dust means less cleanup. With wet-sanding, you won’t need to vacuum and wet mop up dust and debris because most of the extra joint compound you remove will stay trapped in the damp sponge. As you rinse the sponge between rounds of wet-sanding, you’ll rinse away excess materials rather than releasing them into the air and dispersing them around the job site.
Prepping to Wet-Sand Drywall
While one of the major benefits of wet-sanding drywall is the reduction of dust and debris, you’ll still need to wear the proper protective equipment. One of the most crucial drywall sanding tips is to protect yourself with safety glasses, disposable gloves, and a dust mask. When shopping for a sponge, purchase a drywall sponge so it will deliver the exact results you need.
How to Wet-Sand Drywall
Now that you’re ready to begin, follow these five simple steps for the smoothest outcome and best results.
1. Wet the Sponge
Fill your bucket with clean water and dip the sponge into it. Allow it to fully saturate before gently wringing it out. Drywall sponges tend to dry quickly, so avoid wringing out too much water. The sponge should feel damp.
2. Sand Surface Spots
Using the abrasive side of the sponge, buff out any uneven or rigid areas using a circular motion. Avoid using too much pressure in a single spot to prevent creating a depression in the drywall mud, which could compromise drywall finishing levels.
3. Wet-Sand the Area
Wet the sponge again and use the smooth side to wet-sand your drywall. Gently rub the damp sponge in a circular or figure-eight motion over the drywall surface. Apply even pressure, but avoid pressing too hard, as this can damage the drywall or create new imperfections.
To keep the surface wet, periodically dip the sponge into the water to minimize dust and create a smoother finish.
4. Rinse and Dry
Once you’re satisfied with the smoothness of the surface, rinse the drywall thoroughly with clean water using a clean rag to remove any remaining residue. Allow the wall to dry completely before proceeding with additional finishing steps, such as priming and painting.
5. Repeat as Needed
After the area has dried, check it over to see if the process needs to be repeated in any areas. Repeat the process as necessary until you’re happy with how the surface looks and feels.
Additional Tips for Sanding Drywall
Whether you use a traditional dry-sanding or wet-sanding method for your project, it helps to know some pro tips to get the job done faster and smoother. Here are some top suggestions for getting the most out of your drywall sanding project.
Use the right sandpaper or sponge: If you decide to dry-sand, start with coarse-grit sandpaper (100- to 120-grit) for the first round of sanding to remove the biggest flaws. Then, finish with a finer grit (like 220) to get a smooth finish. For wet-sanding, choose a fine-textured sponge for the whole job.
Feather compound edges: The whole point of sanding is to get a seamless finish. To do this, feather the edges of the joint compound. Blend the edges of the compound application into the surrounding drywall so there are no noticeable ridges or lines. You’ll be glad you did when you paint over it, and the drywall joints become invisible, giving you a flawless wall or ceiling surface.
Pay attention to ventilation: Particularly with dry-sanding but even with wet-sanding, ventilate your work area so that you don’t inhale dust particles or fumes from the joint compound.
Use light pressure: Resist the urge to press hard while sanding. Rather than taking off more of the joint compound and speeding along the job, you’ll likely remove too much compound or damage the surface of the drywall. Instead, let your sandpaper or sponge do the work without digging in.
Take your time: It’s not a race, and rushing the process can leave you with uneven surfaces and more work. The worst-case scenario is hurrying and making a mistake, forcing you to repair or redo the joint compound, let it dry, and sand it again, which will take much longer than doing it right the first time.
Check your work: Use your hand to feel the sanded areas and visually inspect them for bumps, rough spots, ridges, and other imperfections. You can also shine a bright light on the surface from different angles to highlight spots you may have missed. If you see or feel a spot that’s not smooth, go over it again until it disappears.
Clean up: As soon as you're done sanding, get rid of all the dust and residue. Use a damp cloth, damp sponge, filtered vacuum, wet mop, or similar tools to clean. You want a clean surface, so paint or finish materials will adhere tightly to the drywall.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Wet-sanding drywall is a simple enough task for even the novice DIYer to tackle. However, the process will be time-consuming, especially depending on how much excess drywall compound is on the surface. If you don't have time in your schedule to complete the task, hire a drywall installer near you to knock out the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
After wet-sanding drywall, it's crucial to allow the surface to dry thoroughly before proceeding with priming or painting. How long does drywall mud take to dry depends on factors like humidity, temperature, and the extent of moisture introduced during wet-sanding, but the drying process takes at least 24 hours. It's essential to ensure the drywall is completely dry before applying finishes to prevent issues like paint bubbling, adhesion problems, or surface imperfections. Using fans, opening windows, or using a dehumidifier can help expedite the drying process.
When looking for how to sand drywall, the choice between wet- and dry-sanding drywall depends on the specific project requirements and personal preferences. Wet-sanding is often favored for its ability to minimize dust and create a smoother finish. The process is ideal for situations where dust control is crucial, such as in occupied living spaces or when working with extremely dry, dusty joint compound. Dry-sanding, on the other hand, can be faster and more convenient for smaller touch-up jobs or when working in areas where water use is impractical, as it eliminates the need for a constant water source and drying time.
Breathing in dust from sanding, especially over an extended period of time, or in high concentrations, can lead to respiratory issues, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It may also exacerbate pre-existing conditions like asthma or allergies. Certain types of dust, such as those from lead-based paint or asbestos-containing materials, can be highly toxic and have severe long-term health consequences if inhaled. While wet-sanding can be more time-consuming, it does reduce the risk of dust inhalation.