Sanding and Finishing Drywall

Hey everyone,

I'm in the middle of finishing a basement and I'm struggling to get a smooth finish on my drywall. I've applied the joint compound and let it dry, but when I sand, I'm either leaving swirl marks or I'm accidentally sanding through the paper. Any tips or tricks for achieving a professional-looking, smooth finish? I'm using a pole sander with 120-grit paper.

What's your go-to method for the final coats and sanding?

Thanks!

Hi John,

Swirl marks are usually a sign that your sanding pressure isn't consistent, or you're using too coarse a grit for the final stages. For the final coat, try to apply it as thinly and smoothly as possible. After it dries, I usually switch to 150-grit for a light skim, and then 220-grit for the final sanding. A dust mask and good lighting are crucial!

Also, make sure your joint compound is completely dry before sanding. Sometimes it looks dry but is still a bit soft underneath.

John, I agree with Sarah. Consistent light pressure is key. One trick I learned is to use a block of wood with sandpaper taped to it, or a drywall sanding sponge for tight corners. For larger areas, a drywall pole sander is great, but don't press too hard. Feather your strokes!

If you're sanding through the paper, you're definitely pressing too hard. The goal of sanding is to knock down the high spots of the compound, not to remove it down to the paper. For the last coat, aim for the "flattest" application you can manage.

Thanks for the advice, Sarah and Mike! I'll definitely try switching to finer grit paper (150 and 220) and focus on lighter, more consistent pressure. I also need to pay more attention to the drying time. I think I might have been rushing it a bit.

I'll try the feathering technique and see how that goes. Appreciate the help!