PSA: My bathroom redo proved skipping drywall sanding is a disaster

During my nights off, I fixed my bathroom drywall after a previous owner's messy work. They didn't sand between coats, so now I have obvious seams and bumps to deal with. Is it just me, or is sanding a step you never skip?

4 comments

4 Comments

aaron_adams15d ago

Remember my neighbor who tried to skip sanding his ceiling patch? He used premixed mud and a 6-inch knife. After painting, every swipe mark showed up under the hallway light. Looked like a topographical map. He ended up renting a pole sander and creating a dust cloud for a whole Saturday.

moore.beth1mo ago

Your PSA about skipping drywall sanding being a disaster is right for most DIY jobs. But it's not always a must-do step. If you spread the joint compound thin and smooth it out well, you can sometimes skip sanding between coats. The trick is using a wide knife to feather the edges properly so bumps don't form. Still, for beginners or in visible spots, sanding between coats is the safe bet to avoid seams. I learned that even pros who skip sanding have years of practice to make it work.

moore.beth1mo ago

Feather those edges with a 12-inch knife to really blend the compound. A light sanding after the final coat still helps catch any missed spots. Saves time but keeps things looking pro.

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jana8811mo ago

That 12-inch knife tip from @moore.beth is smart for blending edges. But I've seen walls where skipping sanding between coats left ridges that catch the light. My buddy tried to rush his garage drywall and now every joint looks like a speed bump. It took us two extra weekends to sand it flat after painting. For DIYers, sanding is just part of the deal to avoid those ghosts in the finish.