How to Sand Drywall for a Paint-Ready Finish

Drywall dust spreads quickly, so prepare the room before sanding to reduce cleanup time later:

• Remove furniture or cover it completely.
• Lay drop cloths on floors.
• Seal doorways with plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.
• Turn off HVAC systems to prevent dust circulation.

• Inspect the joints and mark raised areas with a pencil.
• Lightly sand the drywall mud — not the drywall itself — using a sanding block or pole sander.
• Use long, even strokes and don’t press too hard.
• Sand just until the surface feels smooth and flush.
• Wipe dust away periodically to check your progress.

• Inside corners require a lighter touch.
• Use a sanding sponge instead of flat sandpaper.
• Sand one side of the corner at a time.
• Keep strokes vertical to maintain crisp lines.

The wall should feel smooth and look uniform under good lighting. Before moving on to primer:

• Run your hand over the wall to feel for bumps.
• Shine a light across the surface to spot shadows.
• Wipe down walls with a dry cloth or vacuum attachment to remove dust.

Taking time to fix flaws before applying paint ensures better results later. Here’s how to handle typical issues during sanding:

• Visible ridges: Apply a thin skim coat of drywall mud, let dry and re-sand.
• Exposed drywall paper: Seal with primer before repainting.
• Uneven seams: Feather edges wider with joint compound

Once sanding is complete, your walls are ready for primer and paint. For more DIY help, see How to Paint a Wall, Trim and Ceilings.

For sandpaper, sanding tools, safety gear and more, visit your local Lowe’s or shop Lowes.com to get everything you need for your next drywall project. Here are some product categories Lowes customers trust the most.

• Sanding drywall after mud and tape is essential for achieving a smooth, professional-looking paint finish.
• Choosing the right sandpaper grit helps level imperfections without damaging the drywall paper.
• Use a 120–150 grit sandpaper for initial sanding to knock down ridges and uneven seams.
• Switch to 180–220 sandpaper for final smoothing before priming and painting.
• Avoid very coarse sandpaper since it can tear drywall and create extra repairs.
• Prepare the workspace to control dust by covering furniture sealing doorways and turning off HVAC systems.
• Sand drywall joints lightly using long even strokes and stop once the surface feels smooth and flush.
• Use sanding sponges and a gentle touch when sanding inside corners to maintain crisp lines.
• Check your work before painting by feeling the wall shining a light across the surface.
• Fix common sanding problems such as ridges, exposed drywall paper and uneven seams early for better paint results.
• Dry sanding is faster and best for large areas but produces more dust.
• Wet sanding reduces dust and works well for small repairs tight spaces and final touch-ups.
• Always follow drywall sanding safety tips, including wearing a dust mask, eye protection and cleaning up dust promptly.

Yes. Sanding drywall smooths joint compound, removes ridges and tool marks and helps create an even surface so primer and paint can adhere properly.

Use 120–150 grit sandpaper for the initial sanding to level seams and joints. Then switch to 180–220 grit for a final smoothing before priming and painting.

Run your hand over the wall to see if it feels smooth and even. Shining a work light across the surface can also help reveal high spots or imperfections that need more sanding.

Wet sanding creates less dust and works well for small repairs or touch-ups. Dry sanding is faster and better for large areas but produces more dust.

Yes. Over-sanding can expose the drywall tape or create low spots. Sand lightly and stop once the surface is smooth and flush with the surrounding wall.