Sanding plasterboard: what you need to know. When I bought my house, we used a local contractor who specialized in this type of woodworking. He did provide a tool set that included sandpaper for the surface to be sanded and a scraper to remove the build up. We sanded regularly, about once a week, and it was fine. For us, sanding is not an issue.
Sanding can be done by hand using a power sander, but if you have never done this type of work before, you might want to consider getting a sander that has an attachment for the tip of the blade. There are several different styles, so take the time to shop around and choose one that will do the job for you. Most of them come with several different speeds and models.
Never use sandpaper that is too coarse or rough. It can actually scratch the surface underneath. We used a few different size sandpaper, all four of them, on the interior and exterior of our home.
To begin sanding, you need to get your sandpaper down to its correct gauge. I would start by just using a very coarse sandpaper. We used two-grit sandpaper. Once the board is sanded, you can then move onto the next part of the project, the top. Continue sanding the top until it is nice and smooth.
You may find that after sanding, there is some cracking. Don’t worry about it. This happens to every woodworker, every type of woodworking. Just use more sandpaper and sand away!
After sanding the board smooth, you are ready to paint it. If you need to use paint, then go with a paint that is specifically for plasterboards. For our project, we used latex primer and the color was clear. The finished product looks great and we love to show it off to our friends.
If you find that your sanding plasterboard is cracked, then you need to sand it right back down. We went through a couple different bags of sandpaper before we found the perfect one. Do not be afraid to spend a little extra money on this step. It will pay off in the end.
When sanding, it’s important that you wear gloves. I recommend the latex ones. They are much better for your hands. We even had to bring a breadbox with us to sand our boards because the shop we purchased the sanding from didn’t provide us with one. Sanding can get messy, but you need to work fast to get the right level. Keep sanding until you are happy with the result.
We recommend doing all your sanding outdoors. This way you won’t get the dust in your eyes or in your lungs. Also, try to sand in small batches. It can take a few sandings before you start to see results.
The biggest problem with sanding is getting in the right place. Your nails have to fit in between the board and the molding. You also have to watch out for splinters. Use a good pair of rubber sanding pads to help you keep your hands from being cut. A wet mop can be used to clean up any leftover debris. It’s important to rinse your hands well after sanding so that nothing gets in them.
Sanding can get tedious at times. It can also take a while depending on the size of the room you are sanding. It can also get messy since there are many different materials you have to mix together. Make sure you set aside enough time to do this project. It can also be done outdoors if the weather is good.
Overall, sanding plasterboard should be done with care. It takes some time and effort, but it will all pay off when you have a smooth surface to work on. When you are done, your home will be more welcoming home. Plus, you’ll have saved yourself a lot of money!
