Drywall sanding (reroof, window, vacuum, paint)

[Jan Alaska]

We took on a huge project when we decided to buy a fixer upper, 1500 sq ft and only 1 room that doesn't need completely stripping down to the bare bones and renovating.
The worst is the drywalling and sanding BUT we found a product at a home improvement store (not the big boxes) that does a fab job, its made by a company called Sand & kleen and is a two stage wet/dry system where you have a handheld sander which has a hose that goes to a bucket of water, another hose connects to your shopvac so the dust is pulled into the water. After killing a vacuum and our old shopvac doing the master bedroom this is great! hubby just finished sanding the living room in about an hour with no dust in the air. What a great product !!!

We may just have the dining room finished for Christmas after all

[MrWillys]

Real drywallers aren't afraid of a little dust. I created this awhile back, so maybe it'll help.

//www.city-data.com/forum/house...h-drywall.html

We did use vacuum sanders upon request though.

[rrtechno]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

Real drywallers aren't afraid of a little dust. I created this awhile back, so maybe it'll help.

//www.city-data.com/forum/house...h-drywall.html

We did use vacuum sanders upon request though.

A little dust in a new construction situation is one thing. In a renovation or repair where the family is still living in the house is an entirely different story.

Our neighbor is a drywall finisher and we had him do some work for us one time. When he was done, the only way you could tell he had been there was by looking at the newly finished drywall. We did not have to clean up any dust from any other room in the house, or for that matter, from the woodwork in the room he was working in.

Very Much Appreciated.

[Sherifftruman]

You can also use this. Porter Cable Product Details for Drywall Sander with Dust Collection - Model # 7800 They make a vacuum as well or you can use your own. It works pretty well for smaller projects, just need to keep the bag over the filter clean.

I see them used often on commercial projects if we are in a place where we can't make too much dust. (though it does not get 100% of it and you have to be careful not to hit the paper too much)

[Jan Alaska]

We are doing this renovation on our own, no outside contractors, the bedroom that caused so much dust is out of the way of other rooms but the dining and living room are all open plan so we really couldn't have the dust issue again. Have to say by not hiring in we have saved literally thousands especially as the whole house had to be rewired and reroofed, plus there's a feeling of pride when we get to do it ourselves.

I posted this product because we found it for less than $20 and it has worked out great for us non-professional house renovators.

[MrWillys]

Originally Posted by rrtechno

A little dust in a new construction situation is one thing. In a renovation or repair where the family is still living in the house is an entirely different story.

Our neighbor is a drywall finisher and we had him do some work for us one time. When he was done, the only way you could tell he had been there was by looking at the newly finished drywall. We did not have to clean up any dust from any other room in the house, or for that matter, from the woodwork in the room he was working in.

Very Much Appreciated.

You may have misconstrued my point. In areas where infection control is in place (such as hospitals) all work is done in containment (plastic barriers with zippered doors). Therefore, it makes vacuum sanders a moot point. Some can actually create more damage than good if not used properly, and they do not eliminate clean up. The Porter Cable mentioned above is a spinning wheel, and if not held properly can dig big holes. Vacuums also do not eliminate hand sponge touch up, because you'll still get called on poor workmanship if not done right. My experience was it was a political tool that gave a perception of a dustless process, and was actually not used 100% of the time.

[Hopes]

Thanks for sharing this!

If my husband is ever permitted to sand drywall in our house again, it will be required he buy one of these!

[Jan Alaska]

I'll post pics when we are done, the end of the tunnel is in sight !!!

[thecoalman]

In addtion to the vac do it in the warmer weather and put a fan in the nearest window pointing out.

[Ted Bear]

The fan works well to PULL the dust out of the room.

However, it is more important to do a very detailed job with your plaster, and leave very little which needs to be smoothed.

The first step after you have applied the final coat of plaster is take a damp sponge and go over any rough patches. This is a dust free operation.

Then, if there are any minor blemishes, hit them with a 220 grit sandpaper. The mistake most of us make is trying to get our drywall seams PERFECTLY smooth. Doesn't need to be. The paint will cover a lot of the minor blemishes. Watch what the 'pros' do......very little, if any, sanding.