Hello curious, how many here use a bright light shining across the drywall when performing final sanding. I am at the final stage of finishing the drywall (final sanding) in basement which currenty doesn’t look too bad with the little natural light and can lights. However when I shine a light across the wall I can see the imperfections (more smaller ones than larger ones). I plan on fixing or sanding out the big ones but would drive myself crazy trying to fix each one. I am living in a fairly new spec house and can see several flaws in the drywall done by others now that I am looking for them, just to compare my work.
Any opinions
thanks
Dan
Replies
I added a sconce in the stairway a brand new house and the new light source revealed many imperfections in the walls of the stairs. The owned said that she had to have the drywallers come bake to fix several spots in the house and I pointed out to her that they probably finished the walls with only the temporary lights on the job and that with all of the cans and wall wash trims finished and on that you can now see things that they couldn't then.
The other problem is that the eggshell finish that they used on the wall reflects light way better that the unpainted rock. So, again, the finished walls show imperfections better.
I say, get out the light. You won't be sorry.
There are no electrons! It is all made up. Don't believe it.
Electricity is made by GREENIES.
When I think I am on my last coat I shine a spototlight on each wall. Once I fix any imperfections then I know I'm done. Nothing will be visible after that.
absolutely spotlight it. What you probably don't see is that when the drywaller is done, the painter is doing the same thing. I like doing my own drywall, but its an experience in humility. It's good, then I spotlight it. Fix that. Then I prime, see more, fix that, First coat of color, oh, look at that. Aggravating really, but anything you can do when it's just drywall I vote for.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Agreed, its a lesson in humility from start to finish. My proven method is the same as yours...
mud...
sand.....
mud.....
sand...
spot light.....
mud.....
sand.....
spot light....
prime.....
spot light....
mud.....
sand......
Until you've got it right. Try every conceivable angle with you spot light and then watch the room for a day as the sun comes in at various angles, you don't want to be in that room trying to watch the sunset and have your attention turn sharply to the imperfections in your work........
thanks guys will be going over it all again tomorrow
Dan
Aw...wow you're making it look real good, can u come over and finish my kitchen wall? I'm doing mine and it looks pretty good so far but where there is lights it shows in some spots.
agreed- use the light. i bring out the light earlier, when i think i'm about halfway done, so i can see which spots are actually worse than i thought and might need a heavier sanding.
you never know where a lamp will wind up in future, highlighting the flaws
Always use the light. We use it in flatwork plastering as well.
It doesn't need to be bright. It is the angle that shows the flaws.
I carry a light in one hand and a square of 120 in the other.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
So what do you think makes the handiest/best lamp?A drop cord incandescent?150w halogen clip on?Spring clamp reflector incandescent?Mag lite?LED flashlight?500 W halogen on stand?
Inquiring minds want to know.The heck, you say?
Usually, one of those cheap bulbs on a cord with the unbrella reflector. Forty watt is enough to do ot while not geting too hot to hold, and sometimes it is handy to clamp it to a door or stepladder to free up a hand. I've usually got one around too. Go through half a dozen a year.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Yeah, they don't last too long, do they?
I am currently out of stock on that type of light.
I try to buy rough service bulbs for those.The heck, you say?
I cast my vote for the "spring clamp incandescent" with a reflector, I like 60w, I need a little more light than Piffin. Forget the Halogens unless you want to fry yourself.
I find the most problems by viewing the wall in a back-lighted situation. The light reflector should be right on the wall from all compass points.
Light in the left hand, 220 paper (I like wet-or-dry) in the right.
Pay special attention if there are wall washers planned for the install - try to mimic their light pattern with your "sanding light".
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Saw the thread and it made me chuckle. I was working in the living room of the pastor's house in Laurel. I finally got to the point where I couldn't even stand to be in the room any more, then spent another half day or so, going over it one more time.
I asked Boss to go over it. Then I went over it, and then I asked Andy to look it over. It passed inspection. They put on the texture and moved the lamps. Everybody walked in and said - What happened?? I found spots (about half dozen) that were embarassing. Only good part was that I didn't do it alone. I had two helpers.
I do know better, and even had one of the extra lights in the truck for just that purpose, but I was pretty sure I had gotten it all. Yeah, right!
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I notice he was painting the back bedroom with a bright light, never thought of that.. 2+3=7
I use a clamp-on light on my hawk, so's I can fill as I work. Gets a bit cumbersome after a while, but the option of going around with it (or a trouble light) and a pencil to X the spot means going around once to mark and once to fill.All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
Dan sounds like what I'm doing, remodeling the basement I use the light at angle get it looking good then preprime hit it with a light again and touch up any bad spots. You can drive your self crazy getting everything, I'm a perfectionists so that's what I do. Somewhere I read drywall needs only to be finished so in normal room lighting from a distance of six feet you can't see any flaws. So for what that is worth.
Jeff
Truth is, if you don't want to see ANY imperfections, your gonna want to call in a plasterer and have it skimcoated. If you can live with a couple small flaws that will most likely end up behind a piece of furniture, then go for the sanding but don't cry over spilled milk later. If your like me, and you don't want to call in any help, skimcoat is out of the question, so sand sand sand sand. I literally just finished a room this weekend. it's the second one I've done and its better than the first, but still not perfect. I used one of those construction lights that you can just plug in and carry around with an incandescent bulb and carried it around with me. Use teh light because once you paint the walls, there will be no more sanding, and you have to live with what you've got
I've found that once you finish, and you go through the "acceptance"phase over all the imperfections you notice, you will still be very happy with your result
Edited 12/5/2005 11:18 am ET by xosder11