How to do drywall taping without sanding?
Message 1 in thread From: ississauga Subject: How to do drywall taping without sanding? Date: 2003-07-26 19:15:40 PST As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what were good/bad things about them? One person said he uses a wet hand towel. http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJkg%40comcast.com Message 2 in thread From: Mike72903 (mike72903@aol.comnojunk ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house Date: 2003-07-26 20:30:36 PST A wet towel or spong works as well as sandpaper without the mess. One must be careful not to rub too hard on bare wet sheetrock paper or it will tend to ball up and ruin the surface. They also make sanders that fit to a shop vac that will eliminate most of the dust. Message 3 in thread From: Tom J (tomjanis2@att.net ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-26 21:37:10 PST "ississauga" wrote in message news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... > As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots > of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what > were good/bad things about them? > > One person said he uses a wet hand towel. I'm no contractor and only do drywall a couple of times a year, but I rarely do any sanding at all. If the drywall is put up correctly, the paper cover cut back on cut edges, and screws set below surface and a wide drywall taping blade used, there should be nothing to sand. I first use a 6 inch wide putty knife to put the 1st thin coat of joint compound into the joint and just wide enough to bed the tape. I come back while that compound is still wet and using the putty knife, "roll" the joint tape into the putty bed to where it's smooth. If the tape is not laying flat and in contact with the compound at this point, your application is flawed and you need more practice. Once you learn this step, it's like riding a bike, you'll always know how it's done. When this dries, I go back over the tape with joint compound again with a thin layer that is about 4 or 5 inches wide and feathered to nothing (flush) on each edge. If it's done correctly, when this dries it should be reasonably smooth but feel the slight rise in the surface when you run your hand across the joint. This is where the 12 inch wide taping blade comes in. Use it to put on the final layer of joint compound adding as little as possible right over the seam and running out about 10 inches on each side of the seam with the compound. All this application is straight in line with the joint and joint tape. A thick paint brush with clear clean water in a pail can be used to dip the brush in the water, let most run out of the brush, and then use a "flipping" motion in line with the tape to add more moisture anytime it's not laying down smooth and wanting to roll or lump up. Don't let the brush come in contact with the compound. Nail up some scrap and practice this and I think you'll quit sanding drywall!! Tom J Message 4 in thread From: Bubba Cooter (flcooter@yahoo.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-29 07:58:53 PST On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:37:00 -0400, "Tom J" wrote: Can you explain this a bit more "the paper cover cut back on cut edges" How do you prep the cut edges and any reccomendations on the "T" where a tapered joint is perpendicular to a butt joint? Message 5 in thread From: Eric Ryder (eryder@bassboat.mv.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-27 04:23:59 PST "ississauga" wrote in message news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... > As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots > of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what > were good/bad things about them? > > One person said he uses a wet hand towel. > > http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJkg%40comcast.com In my experience, drysanding with paper or screens attached to a firm10" sanding block will level the "ripples" left by recurve trowels and tiring arms better than wet techniques. The sanding block will also reduce ridges without depressing the area around them as much as rags or wet foam sanding blocks. On repair sized jobs, an additional thin (4th) coat of compound will blend said ridges and taper/butt intersections nicely. Wet sanding follows that up well. IMO, wetsanding is warranted when the time invested in a more careful taping job is offset by the potential cleanup time. Using a vac-assisted sanding block has lowered that bar for me. Message 6 in thread From: Alan (bogfern1@hotmail.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-27 19:29:41 PST On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 14:51:57 GMT, 'nuther Bob wrote: >On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 07:24:09 -0400, "Eric Ryder" > wrote: > > >> >>In my experience, > >Good advice so far, my short course: > >- Use *thin* coats. >- 3-6" trowel for coat #1 and 2, 6-12" for coat #2, 12" for coat #3. >- Don't overwork it. Apply, smooth, let it go. >- Use the trowel to scrap off any high ridges between coats. > Don't sand between coats. > >If you need a "final" sand, use a RO sander with 150 grit attached >to a shop vac. Put a hose in the exhaust port, run it out a window. >Done this way, there's no dust. > I use a hand sander designed to be used on the end of a shop vac hose. It has holes in it so that all dust is sucked throught the screen and with a proper filter in the shop vac, none gets through. No exhaust hose required. It eliminates dust so well that no mask or sealing off rooms is required. Message 7 in thread From: Art Todesco (actodesco@yahoo.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-27 20:09:31 PST HD sells a unit that you put water into a drop-off tank. You hook it up to any vacuum. The dust drops off in the water. This is good for your vacuum as the fine dust really gets into every corner of the vacuum and also plugs the filters pretty fast. I have also used a small blower to suck the dust from the sanding block and push it outside the house. Also, the dust really doesn't do the bearings any good either. Alan wrote: > On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 14:51:57 GMT, 'nuther Bob > wrote: > > >>On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 07:24:09 -0400, "Eric Ryder" >> wrote: >> >> >> >>>In my experience, >> >>Good advice so far, my short course: >> >>- Use *thin* coats. >>- 3-6" trowel for coat #1 and 2, 6-12" for coat #2, 12" for coat #3. >>- Don't overwork it. Apply, smooth, let it go. >>- Use the trowel to scrap off any high ridges between coats. >> Don't sand between coats. >> >>If you need a "final" sand, use a RO sander with 150 grit attached >>to a shop vac. Put a hose in the exhaust port, run it out a window. >>Done this way, there's no dust. >> > > I use a hand sander designed to be used on the end of a shop vac hose. > It has holes in it so that all dust is sucked throught the screen and > with a proper filter in the shop vac, none gets through. No exhaust > hose required. It eliminates dust so well that no mask or sealing off > rooms is required. > Message 8 in thread From: Alan (bogfern1@hotmail.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-28 16:31:07 PST On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 03:09:27 GMT, Art Todesco wrote: >HD sells a unit that you put water into a drop-off tank. You >hook it up to any vacuum. The dust drops off in the water. >This is good for your vacuum as the fine dust really gets into >every corner of the vacuum and also plugs the filters pretty >fast. I have also used a small blower to suck the dust from the >sanding block and push it outside the house. Also, the dust >really doesn't do the bearings any good either. With a high-efficiency filter, the dust does not reach the bearings, but yes the filter does need to cleaned once in a while. My vacuum does not have corners where dust collects. > >Alan wrote: >> On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 14:51:57 GMT, 'nuther Bob >> wrote: >> >> >>>On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 07:24:09 -0400, "Eric Ryder" >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>>In my experience, >>> >>>Good advice so far, my short course: >>> >>>- Use *thin* coats. >>>- 3-6" trowel for coat #1 and 2, 6-12" for coat #2, 12" for coat #3. >>>- Don't overwork it. Apply, smooth, let it go. >>>- Use the trowel to scrap off any high ridges between coats. >>> Don't sand between coats. >>> >>>If you need a "final" sand, use a RO sander with 150 grit attached >>>to a shop vac. Put a hose in the exhaust port, run it out a window. >>>Done this way, there's no dust. >>> >> >> I use a hand sander designed to be used on the end of a shop vac hose. >> It has holes in it so that all dust is sucked throught the screen and >> with a proper filter in the shop vac, none gets through. No exhaust >> hose required. It eliminates dust so well that no mask or sealing off >> rooms is required. >> > Message 9 in thread From: Jimmy Galvin (james.galvin@mags.net ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-27 05:55:40 PST You just need more practice. The more you do, the more stays on the wall and not on the floor. There is no way around it. It is the same with anyone. Keep at it and you will be OK. "ississauga" wrote in message news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... > As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots > of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what > were good/bad things about them? > > One person said he uses a wet hand towel. > > http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJ kg%40comcast.com Message 10 in thread From: John Grabowski Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? Date: 2003-07-27 06:51:19 PST I am not a drywall person, but I have picked a few things from watching them and asking questions over the years. A painter I worked with many years ago showed me his technique for dustless finishing of joint compound. He used a big damp sponge. His joints would have a glass smooth surface when he was finished and never any dust. I use this technique myself now. Get a bucket of clean water and a good quality large sponge. Squeeze all of the water out of the sponge so that it is just a little damp and run it across your joints. It will take a little time to get a feel for this. To much applied pressure will remove too much joint compound. Clean the sponge in the bucket of water frequently. This will only work with joint compound. Other wall patching compounds are different and must be sanded. Good luck, John Grabowski http://www.mrelectrician.tv "ississauga" wrote in message news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... > As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots > of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what > were good/bad things about them? > > One person said he uses a wet hand towel. > > http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJkg%40comcast.com Message 11 in thread From: Tony H (Tony@email.com ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-27 09:31:07 PST To end dust you must have a good tapeing job Wide bands tapered edges Last finish is with top coat cement. Then use a sponge lightly On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 13:51:08 GMT, "John Grabowski" wrote: >I am not a drywall person, but I have picked a few things from watching them >and asking questions over the years. A painter I worked with many years ago >showed me his technique for dustless finishing of joint compound. He used a >big damp sponge. His joints would have a glass smooth surface when he was >finished and never any dust. I use this technique myself now. Get a bucket >of clean water and a good quality large sponge. Squeeze all of the water >out of the sponge so that it is just a little damp and run it across your >joints. It will take a little time to get a feel for this. To much applied >pressure will remove too much joint compound. Clean the sponge in the >bucket of water frequently. > >This will only work with joint compound. Other wall patching compounds are >different and must be sanded. > > >Good luck, > >John Grabowski >http://www.mrelectrician.tv > > >"ississauga" wrote in message >news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... >> As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots >> of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what >> were good/bad things about them? >> >> One person said he uses a wet hand towel. >> >> >http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJkg%40comcast.com > Message 12 in thread From: Owen White (owhite@tigr.org ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-28 06:59:16 PST I just completed a relatively small (900 sq ft walls and ceilings) room and did the drywall myself with the help of one other person. I am not a contractor. I have done one other job before this where I went the sanding route. Use of the abrasive sponge worked exceptionally well. I suggest that you follow all the sage advice here about applying the joint compound. Then hit all non-smooth areas of joint compound. I hit the area within arms reach with a water spritzer, let the compound loosen a little, and then went to with the sponge. The consistency of the joint compound gets to a point where its more like sculpting the material than sanding it, and it became very easy to work out most streaks, dents, and noticable ridges. Avoid getting the paper wet and sanding to the point of balling up the paper. In my case large portions of the walls got to the point of being as smooth as glass. It is a very satisfying product and there is no dust. The sponge is an extremely efficient use of time. Another lesson learned was that butt joints make a bumpy ridge from the ragged edge of the drywall paper. Before putting up the drywall, but after cutting any edge that's going to be a butt joint, bevel the edge with a sander. Its saves miles of effort later on. Owen "John Grabowski" wrote in message news: ... > I am not a drywall person, but I have picked a few things from watching them > and asking questions over the years. A painter I worked with many years ago > showed me his technique for dustless finishing of joint compound. He used a > big damp sponge. His joints would have a glass smooth surface when he was > finished and never any dust. I use this technique myself now. Get a bucket > of clean water and a good quality large sponge. Squeeze all of the water > out of the sponge so that it is just a little damp and run it across your > joints. It will take a little time to get a feel for this. To much applied > pressure will remove too much joint compound. Clean the sponge in the > bucket of water frequently. > > This will only work with joint compound. Other wall patching compounds are > different and must be sanded. > > > Good luck, > > John Grabowski > http://www.mrelectrician.tv > > > "ississauga" wrote in message > news:14e8ca45.0307261815.7e220a96@posting.google.com ... > > As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots > > of dust while sanding. Have you tried non sanding techniques and what > > were good/bad things about them? > > > > One person said he uses a wet hand towel. > > > > http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=aHWdnUIrBOecLmqjXTWJkg%40comcast.com Message 13 in thread From: v (v.viverrid@verizon.net ) Subject: Re: How to do drywall taping without sanding? View this article only Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house , alt.home.repair , alt.building.construction Date: 2003-07-29 06:58:28 PST On 26 Jul 2003 19:15:40 -0700, someone wrote: >As a contractor I did my first drywall taping job today and ate lots >of dust while sanding. If you are sanding that much, you are doing something wrong. Homeowner DIYers sand extensively. Pros hardly at all. Sponge often works better. The "need" for sanding is sometimes related to trying to do too much in too few coats. mho, -v.