Do You Need to Sand Drywall

Sanding drywall is an essential task in any home renovation project. This task comes after hanging drywall sheets and covering gaps and nail gouges in the drywall with tape and joint compound. Sanding the drywall after the joint compound, or mud, dries creates a smooth and even surface for applying primer and paint.

Do you need to sand before painting drywall?

Sanding after priming is a critical step that most beginners skip. But sanding before painting removes paper fuzz and lumps that will show through your paint job. This is also the time to take care of other imperfections by filling them with joint compound.

How many times do you sand drywall?

DON’T make more than two passes. If two passes aren’t enough, you’ll need to let the drywall dry, and then use sandpaper to finish the job. Repeated wet sanding beyond two passes soaks the drywall too much, leading to craters, valleys, and melted spots.