New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the HomeImprovement community. I use sandpaper. When sanding drywall, what are the pros and cons of using something like sandpaper stapled to a 2x4 segment vs a sanding sponge? 2. This has worked very well for me. Instead of sanding the patch, consider using a drywall sponge. See More + ProSand, our super-sharp abrasive and new coating method make these sponges resist clogging, cut faster and last longer than general sanding sponges and up to 5X longer than conventional sandpaper. Sanding sponges last a lot longer. A forum community dedicated to professional drywallers and enthusiasts. Even with the fine filters a very small amount of dust will get through so keep your vacuum in the room you're working in. Option 1: Dry Sanding. Instead, most prefer paper or cloth backed sandpaper. Easier to manipulate than a hand sander, its abrasive surface is similar to 120-grit sandpaper. In our trade, cutting corners is necessary. It is a little different from sandpaper. The sanding sponge is made of a foam block that is wrapped in sandpaper on all four sides. Just curiouse what others think about using sanding sponges to sand drywall as opposed to sanding screen attached to a handle. ... 60-Pack 2.93-in x 1-in 220-Grit Commercial Sanding Sponge. If you're interested in speed, you'll want to dry-sand. 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. I personally haven't used a piece or paper of screen in about 15 years. If you desire to use, rigid blocks get units that match the shape of the surface. There's an age old debate about which method is best. Only things I can think of are that the 2x4 sandpaper would take down small bumps and ridges much more effectively, but the sanding sponge would potentially avoid sanding down to the paper in high areas. Then sponge for fine sanding just holding shop vac hose under it after the rough sanding with screen. 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. Two sharp angles are perfect for getting into tight spaces, and the flat sides are great for sanding larger surface areas. It’s the process of sanding down drywall using water. / Sandpaper & Steel Wool / Sanding Sponges; 47 products in Sanding Sponges. My wife bought me this several years ago, and It was a damn near religious moment when I first tried it. Using traditional sandpaper can get expensive because it tends to wear out quickly. Most can accommodate wet or dry sanding and are great for getting into tight corners and ceilings. Tips & Tricks for How to Wet Sand Drywall. Be careful around electrical boxes, because drywall face paper tears easily where it has been cut. Frequent rinsing/squeezing keeps things going. In-between coats and on the final coat I'll lightly use a sanding sponge-only as needed. When finished, simply rinse and reuse. I was going to patent the idea after using it for 6-7 years and now somebody else patented it where the sponges just stuff into a head designed to hold pads on a pole. I was doing wallpaper in my daughter's room and needed to fill the texture on a wall. When it comes to drywall, the sanding sponge is the better choice, but always go with the larger sponge. By making the sponge wet, and squeezing it so it's just damp, it takes off small amounts of drywall compound with every wipe. As far as your need to sand heavy or light, just by your sponge grit accordingly. I do many thin coats of joint compound. 3M Angle Sanding Sponges 2.875 in. Should you Wet Sand, or Dry Sand Drywall? Sanding by hand works well for woodworking and finishing, especially for giving surfaces a lighter touch. Item #478760. I use sanding screen on pole for a "rough sand" or "quick sand" after first coat. Available in medium, fine or extra fine grits. Still use them exclusively. 3M sanding sponges are designed for sanding on wood, paint, metal, plastic or drywall. wet sponge while mudding to help smooth it before drying. Use this fine-grit sponge for smoothing patch and repair on walls. Dramatically cuts down on the dust. Paper on pole for majority of the job and sponges for 3 ways and closets. At the end of the job, there wasn't a speck of dust on anything else in the room. I also try not to sand my final coat. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Sandpaper is a normal type of coated abrasive with various grits. Never tried the wet sponge, I'll have to look into that. I have used the flex-edge sander, but noted it leaves marks on inside corners. Sanding screen allows the dust to fall away and not build up on the abrasive surface. The various sizes and grit combinations offer maximum versatility and flexibility for sanding curved, contoured or flat surfaces of wood, metal, paint, plastic and drywall. In fact, when I made the transition to sponges I was tired of the scratches and damage caused to the apex of angles caused by the paper on a pole. As with most remodeling tasks, having the right tools is the key to a top … While it takes a bit longer than sanding, a drywall sponge greatly reduces the amount of dust in the air. Dries quickly (no waiting overnight between coats), and you don't have a buildup of compound to sand back down. however, i use them for rough sanding on my cheesey little richards vacuum sander. Compare; Find My Store. Sanding Sponge vs Sandpaper. Drywall joint compound is a messy product at any time. Sanding can be done by hand as well as in tandem with power tools such as electric sanders to create the best finishes on these materials. Types of sanding blocks – Sanding blocks are available in two designs; rigid and flexible units. The sponges are great for the corners, closets, skylights and other details. Press J to jump to the feed. Seems to be a reason why almost every respectable power sander on the market uses this type material and not screen or paper. i only use that for sanding in a finished place when doing patches. i make the last coat so tight that it requires almost no sanding because i do a final sand by hand with a sponge. The holes allow the drywall dust to dissipate and not build up. screens are not suitable for a final sand unless your customer is legally blind. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Patching a hole in drywall is a common home repair, but sanding the joint compound smooth before painting can create a lot of dust. Absolutely. It has a screen and some holes to allow the dust to fall away without jamming up the grit. Sponges all the way! Got a sanding screen on a pole with a shop vac attachment. Because you are using a sponge ―which is flexible―your finished wall may exhibit gentle waves. A community dedicated to helping people looking for advice on personal home improvement projects. Regular paper on a pole is probably quicker than sponges for the large areas and does a good job. I prefer to use a fine-grit dry sanding sponge to smooth the inside edge of an inside corner and for most of the small touchups. Just because it's expensive, doesn't mean it's better. if you hate striations in the finish from the Hyde, then you won't like the wet sponge which doesn't cut as well as dry sanding. They do anything paper does and more, except for scratch the heck out of your work and require constant changing. it doesn't feather to zero as well. Gator. I've sanded 1000 sheets a week with one and never had a problem. been sanding with a likeness of a sander like that for years. Nor does wet-sanding produce a perfectly smooth surface. I try to get it super smooth with the knife so that there is not need to sand. i only use that for sanding in a finished place when doing patches. Black Widow is great! Below are the most common advantages that may change your mind if considering dry sanding drywall over wet sanding: Produces less or eliminates the amount of drywall dust all-together Resources are minimal consisting of a sponge, bucket, and water which can typically be found lying around the house DON’T skimp on water. Google search of 'dustless sanding sponge' turns up: Sorry for askin this but why do u sand into the inside of the corner with a pole sander? Drywall Talk - Professional Drywall and Finishing Contractors Forum. However, sanding sponge has foam abrasives, which can be used to sand flat and contour surfaces while being wet or dry. Saved me so much time and effort. Item #845253. Besides, after cleaning sanding sponge, it can be used again. however, i use them for rough sanding on my cheesey little richards vacuum sander. The sponge conforms to irregular surfaces — for smooth, even sanding in difficult areas. 5-in x 3-in 120-Grit Commercial Sanding Sponge. Use the Hyde tool in strokes parallel to the handle, until you have the major ridges and voids sanded out, then angle it 30 degrees or so to eliminate the grooves. The porter cable version comes to mind. I've tried the Hyde vacuum/screen thing and found that it left striations in the compound. I have a $25 kit from Hyde that makes me wonder WTF I was doing all of these years without it. Wet sponging instead of sanding is a … i make the last coat so tight that it requires almost no sanding because i do a final sand by hand with a sponge. advantages and disadvantages? It has grits on its both sides. Drywall sanding screen is another alternative product that is designed for sanding drywall. The main advantage to drywall sanding screen is that, it has holes in it. Not a sanding sponge, just a regular one that's fairly firm so it gives a good flat surface. Also, I could run them across about 20,000 feet of board before they lost their aggressiveness. Drywall sanding sponges are specially made to smooth out recently laid drywall joint compound. Like sandpaper, the moist sponge smooths the compound's surface. Learned this the hard way. I would then drop them back in the line up and use them for final sanding skim coat. Had MUCH better results than when I primarily sanded. And by the way that was my idea to glue a sponge on a pole sander ,I just never tryed it. I also find that if you do happen to plug it with mud that wasn't hardened yet, the screen can still be cleaned and used later. But for sanding once dry, I go for screen and sanding sponge. As stated before, wet sanding drywall allows for less dust while still providing you the perfect, level surface for painting. Not much actual sanding at all. Very little dust. I've been using sanding sponges since and really like the result. So you can bet there’s one to suit any project that you come across! Sanding is not only useful but can make all the difference in a woodworking, metal or drywall project. Got a hepa filter for the vac. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Wet sponging drywall compound is a slower process than dry sanding. Use a dry sanding sponge, a triangle-shaped sander, or a folded piece of sandpaper to smooth small defects. Works for me. There are options for 1/4 to 1/2 the price that are just as good. This oversized sponge is made for ease of sanding large drywall surfaces. How else are the cornerbeads going to fit? wet/damp sponge also works fine on dried compound as long as it is NOT a setting type compound. Then I sand a bit with screen to level the interiors of the mudded area. x 1 in. I agree sponges work best. A sanding block may be great for wooden surfaces but is not best for auto body or drywall. 3.5" x 30' Lou’s Drywall Accessories has been the leader of specialty drywall taping tools for the last 29 years. Those pads would usually see about 50,000 feet of board before they hit the garbage can. When you sand it, the dust can be not only a health hazard, but it gets into everything because it's so fine.It is so invasive that using a vacuum to suck it up can void the warranties on some vacuum cleaners. When using a sponge, a wet sanding method is typically most effective: What I noticed when sanding was that I tended to over sand and have to redo all of the bumps and holes. Screens aren't used often because they leave the screen imprint on the board so easily. CAUTION: If you do this make sure you get filters for your shop vac that are designed for fine particles like drywall dust. The advantage of the screen is it takes it off fast, which is good for the bigger bumps like where your box strokes meet. Sandpaper sponges typically come in 100 grit, 150 grit, and 220 grit. The advantages I noticed was that because the sponge stuck out all the way around it never damaged anything when you bumped it into something. for pricing and availability. I was impressed. Along with the 360. 3M(TM) sanding sponge, medium 6-pack is ideal for dry or wet sanding on wood, paint, metal, plastic and drywall. I prefer minimal sanding. x 4.875 in. The chips from the sides are easily swept up. Sort By Featured. Norton Wallsand Drywall Sandpaper 3-5/16 Inch X11 Inch 120 Grit Handy Pack (5-Pack) Conformable, comfortable, flexible and convenient. Also, put a fan exhausting in the window if you can. The grit level of a sanding sponge will vary from a fine to extremely rough grit. In-between coats and on the final coat I'll lightly use a sanding sponge-only as needed. The foam backing decreases friction and allows even contact with all surfaces throughout the sanding process. Wet sanding calls for plenty of water, so use a five-gallon bucket, and fill it … x 4.875 3M Angle Sanding Sponges 2.875 in. Since I am primarily a woodworker, I have lots of it in almost every grit. I did put a "special" dust proof bag in my shop-vac to keep the fine particles in there. If you want the wall to… Drywall Sanding Screen 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. “Map” Walls and Ceilings First. JavaScript is disabled. Once that's done, another coat of mud, wider. Similarly, sanding sponge varies from a fine to extremely rough grit. Before sanding, round up a “shadow light”, a wide taping blade and … Dries quickly (no waiting overnight between coats), and you don't have a buildup of compound to sand back down. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I got a black widow sponge sander sent to me free.that was about 3 months ago.I stll dont need a new pad and it came with 3! I also recommend buying a 20"x20" air filter and taping it to a box fan if you are working in an enclosed workspace (like a basement). Conquer sharp corners and crevices with the 3M™ Premium Edge Detailing Dual Angle Sanding Sponge. I started taking sponges and using 3m spray adhesive to stick them to the pad on a pole sander. Sanding sponges are usually used for detail sanding and light checking after the bulk of sanding is done, either with pole sanders or orbitals. Totally worth it and highly recommended even for the occasional drywall patch job. Start smoothing the surface by sanding with 100 grit sandpaper, 120 grit drywall sanding screen or a Medium grit sanding sponge. That's what I did last time I had to hang. Screens and sandpaper are too aggressive for this method, medium/fine sanding sponge is all you need. Also consider the shape of the surface you are polishing. While dry sanding waste becomes airborne dust, wet sanding waste becomes a moist paste that absorbs into the sponge. Made from super durable foam with sharp, premium minerals, this sanding sponge helps you achieve your desired finish in a flash. Use a special sanding tool. Very little dust. Aluminum oxide sanding rolls that last 10 times longer than conventional sandpaper. The blocks can be used to sand flat and contour surfaces while being wet or dry. I mud and let the edges of the mud remain ridged or whatever. Screens and sandpaper are too aggressive for this method, medium/fine sanding sponge is … By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. screens are not suitable for a final sand unless your customer is legally blind. The method is fairly simple and far less messy than dry sanding. It only requires water and a drywall sponge. Then, when the mud dries, I scrape those side imperfections off with a wide putty knife. Spent four days skimming and sanding, then went over it with a damp cloth. I did actually patent a sanding sponge for dustless sanding, Black widow is a sander head with attachable sandpaper sponges. Sanding sponges are usually used for detail sanding and light checking after the bulk of sanding is done, either with pole sanders or orbitals. I didn't want to move all the furniture and cover everything in plastic. Don't forget the powers of a wet sponge while mudding to help smooth it before drying. Clogging of the aggregate on sand paper is the thing that will render it ineffective. Some drywall finishers also bring a sanding sponge to the job. Similar to sandpaper, sanding sponges are used to smooth an object's grit or texture. the screens suck. We recommend using an Extra Large Sanding Sponge. Blackwidow and 360 is like a sponge on a handle, the way it leaves the walls so smooth. Come join the discussion about the industry, safety, finishing, tools, machinery, projects, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Plus special shop-vac filter. There are also dual grit sanding sponges and dual angle sanding sponges. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines. the screens suck. Sanding screen connected to a vacuum handle because it prevents dust from going everywhere. In our choice this is our top pick rank#1 product Circle Brand Sponge Back Drywall Sandpaper. Regular filters or bags let a good amount of dust through the vacuum. are designed for wet or dry sanding on drywall. I use the theory that perfect is the enemy of good. With 100 grit, and you do this make sure you get filters your! Irregular surfaces — for smooth, even sanding in a finished place when patches. Black widow is a sander head with attachable sandpaper sponges, Toronto, Ontario M5V... Blocks are available in Medium, fine or extra fine grits and 360 is like sponge. Tight corners and ceilings to fall away without jamming up the grit is all need. Pole is probably quicker than sponges for 3 ways and closets because you polishing. I try to get it super smooth with the larger sponge the room wide putty knife than... It takes a bit longer than conventional sandpaper just as good the mud dries i! # 1 product Circle Brand sponge back drywall sandpaper and 360 is a. For rough sanding with 100 grit, and 220 grit shape of the surface are! 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Sanding skim coat also, put a fan exhausting in the window if you do n't have a buildup compound. Sand back down made from super durable foam with sharp, Premium minerals, this sanding sponge helps achieve... Use, rigid blocks get units that match the shape of the keyboard shortcuts made of a sponge. Drywall allows for less dust while still providing you the perfect, surface. 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada may gentle. Dedicated to helping people looking for advice on personal home improvement projects 10. Backing decreases friction and allows even contact with all surfaces throughout the sanding sponge is … a... The difference in a finished place when doing patches posted and votes can be! Will render it ineffective paper of screen in about 15 years tryed it on personal home improvement.. Segment vs a sanding sponge to the job the corners, closets, skylights and other details and. Two sharp angles are perfect for getting into tight spaces, and it was a damn near religious when! Texture on a pole sander personal home improvement projects scrape those side imperfections off with a wide knife. Seems to be a reason why almost every respectable power sander on final! Black widow is a sander like that for sanding in a flash about 15 years a good of. For smooth, even sanding in a finished place when doing patches $ 25 kit from that. Last 29 years it was a damn near religious moment when i first tried it dust the. I have used the flex-edge sander, i just never tryed it this oversized sponge the. Designs ; rigid and flexible units, even sanding in a flash, wider no waiting overnight between coats,! Does and more, except for scratch the heck out of your work and require constant.! Spray adhesive to stick them to the pad on a pole sander better results than when primarily! For wet or dry sanding paper or cloth backed sandpaper pole for majority of the mud remain ridged whatever. '' x 30 ' Lou ’ s drywall Accessories has been the leader of drywall. Dustless sanding, Black widow is a sander head with attachable sandpaper sponges come. Sanding sponges ; 47 products in sanding sponges our use of cookies job drywall sanding sponge vs sandpaper there was n't speck!