Stupid Homeowner question #72
My contractor has finished drywall taping and sanding. I’m going to be priming and painting the walls and ceiling. What is the best way to clean the dust off the walls before priming. Using a shop vac? wiping with a bucket & wet towel? Garden hose?
Thanks!
Listeners write in about ventilation and radon control and ask questions about tightening basement garages, ventilation solutions, and safer paint stripper.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Mike, I prefer to give the whole wall a quick once over with a tight, slightly damp sponge. This not only removes the dust, but it also feathers out the edges of the compound.
Edited 2/20/2006 9:33 pm ET by BoJangles
I agree with mike. I either use a broom lightly over the wall, or a damp rag. Concentrate on the corners, thats where alot of dust hides. Also, dont forget the piles in the corner on the floor. if you miss one of those and catch it with a brush or a roller you'll get dust all over the wall.
Stupid contractor answer #72:
I would leave the garden hose outside..........
I generally run a clean, fine bristle push broom over the broad surfaces, and then run the vac over the corners (including ceiling corners).
With PVA primers, a lot of painters don't even bother to get rid of the dust before painting. But I don't suggest this.
A dry cloth will work too, kind of flicking off the dust as you go.
I would be careful about using a damp sponge; too much mosture can mess up the topping compound, and sometimes you can end up with a slurry that creates more problems.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Thanks for the help guys.Stupid Homeowner Question #73What is PVA Primer?
PVA=Polyvinyl acetate, aka white glue.
PVA primer = primer containing PVA and intended as a first coat on bare drywall. Generally inexpensive and works reasonably well.
DG/Builder
PVA primer -- the standard primer used for sheet rock.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Don't sweat it--most DW primer are PVA based--at least the worthwhile ones.Grab some USG first coat DW primer and go to town.From the founding member of "The MoB"
Welcome aboard.Mike" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Edited 2/21/2006 1:33 am by Mitremike
When I don't have a big area to do I use a tack cloth. The damp sponge has caused me problems in the past as well.
I use an unconventional method that is a lot faster for this.
I open the windows, and put on a dust mask. I plug in my air sweeper ( a fan in a box with a filter on it)
Then I plut the hose on the ejection port of the shopvac and use the narrow nozzle to BLOW the dust loose from the SR. This creates a cloud that settles to the floor where I vacumn it up half an hour later.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Box fans are worth their weight in gold aren't they. Well, at least it's worth something cheaply plated--say $20 worth.
:-)
Cheers,
Don
I use an unconventional method that is a lot faster for this.
What I enjoy about your building methods is that you do a great job of combining unconventional approaches with good solid carpentry.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Dust leads one to believe that sanding was required--something a drywaller avoids at all costs but as long as you already have dust....try harder taping the next time. Tyr (We can all laugh in our dreams now!)
???Hunh???
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks - now blow the dust out of my ears, willya?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
As much as I am compelled to clean as much dust off a wall surface as I can before painting I am not convinced that failing to so so will be a problem of any consequence. Drywall dust is so fine that it will not cause asthetic problems. Think of it as an additive and paint away.
Just don't tell the other guys here that I told you this.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -Albert Einstein
http://www.peteforgovernor.com
Thanks for saving me the typing. Been doing that in every room in this house. In fact just today I finished hand sanding all my upstairs pine floors last time with a RAS to get all the scratches out of the pine I made with the big drum sander I rented yesterday.
TONSSSS of dust everywhere. Got on the resperator...opened all the doors and windows and cranked the leaf blower full steam ahead. Looked like my house was on fire from outside...lol. Walked away for 15 minutes and came back and did it again. Clean as a whistle.
"Just" finished staining...whewwwww. I stopped bothering with the fan....I just chase the dust with my blower.
And I'll tell ya what...I wiped my hand on the floors and walls and not one drop of dust came off on my hands.
Bye the way...the new Crapsman vacs come with a leaf blower attached to the top of it. I scored that a cpl of weeks ago rather than spending $400 for the Fein I spent $100 for that one...and even got to use the attached leaf blower rather than having to go out to the shed to get my gas one again.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/at.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&guid=1D1338C5-DD25-44E5-9C9E-590936BC60EE&frames=no
I did that once on a garage job I did. Man that was fun. I dont think the neighbors liked it too much though.
On a side note, my van was parked outside the garage when I did this and two years later, the rear door handle still sticks every time I open the door.
Don't get too much dust off.
You need some dust to fill in the holes/defects you missed.
Mike,
I place an exhaust fan in the window, blowing out of course. Seal around it somehow to maximize air draw.
Then I take my compressor and use an air gun attachment to blow off the dust. Works really well in corners, and you don't have to worry about messing up the finish with a damp rag. Wear a dust mask.
Hope this helps.
Doitall