What type of sandpaper should I use to clean putty on walls?

Grouting the walls after puttying is an important stage in surface finishing, especially when the walls are being prepared for painting. However, in practice, it is sometimes difficult to figure out which sandpaper to clean the putty with, because there are quite a lot of varieties of this material. We will tell you about the rules for selecting an abrasive and the features of working with it.

It is important to know which sandpaper to use to sand the putty.

Sandpaper for putty: marking, purpose and application features

It is important to know which sandpaper to use to sand the putty.

Sanding the putty layer

Purpose

The photo shows the process of grouting a wall with your own hands.

Sandpaper for puttying walls is needed for final leveling and sanding of the putty surface before painting or wallpapering. Moreover, if paint is used as a finishing touch, sanding is required to be as thorough and fine as possible. The wall does not need to be sanded for wallpaper, with the exception of glossy varieties and silk-screen printing.

In the process of leveling the walls, it is possible to eliminate large differences in level with the help of plaster, then the starting layer of putty performs a more thorough leveling, and finally, the finishing layer of putty allows you to perform the most delicate work and achieve smooth walls.

However, subtle differences in level, bumps, depressions, marks from the ends of the spatula blade, scratches and other imperfections and defects still remain on the surface. To eliminate them, it is necessary to carry out final processing of the last layer - sand it with an abrasive material.

Only grinding can achieve acceptable results.

For these purposes, various methods are used: sandpaper and fabric, diamond mesh and other abrasive surfaces. The work can be done either manually or using machines.

Materials

The result of the work depends on what sandpaper you use to rub the putty.

So, we have figured out the purpose of the grinding procedure, now we need to figure out what to rub the putty with.

There may be options here:

Sandpaper by hand. This is the cheapest method that gives excellent results with the right approach. The paper is fixed on a wooden block with a smooth and even sole using clamps or fingers, as well as in another way that allows you to quickly change the abrasive, and then the surface is sanded in a circular motion;
Using an abrasive mesh by hand. The difference here is that it is not paper that is used as an abrasive, but a mesh that does not become clogged with dust and lasts longer. The price of such a mesh is higher, however, this is compensated by lower consumption and convenience, which increases overall labor productivity;
An electric grater in which the paper moves on shafts like a belt. Due to the length of the sanding strip, its wear occurs more slowly, and the mechanics allow you to work faster;
An electric grater in which a mesh is installed, and friction occurs due to vibration and displacement of the rubbing surface from side to side relative to the handle;
An electric grater, where friction occurs through a rotating plane with an abrasive coating. Both mesh and paper can be used here.

The simplest way to fix paper on a block.

Important! As you can see, both paper and mesh can be used for work, and the mesh seems to be more convenient and effective, although more expensive. Be that as it may, both materials have the right to life.

It is more convenient to use a block with clamps.

In addition to paper and mesh, you can find various stones such as pumice, diamond coatings, surfaces with notches and applied stone chips. However, the first two materials are most often used, so we will focus on them.

Marking and selection of abrasive

The surface of sandpaper in multiple magnification.

Let's move on. Sandpaper and mesh come in different forms: depending on the size of the stone chip particles or mesh cells, these materials are labeled differently and used differently.

Paper marking (we call any rolled material with an abrasive layer on the surface paper) is marked in two ways: domestic and foreign.

Domestic marking according to GOST 3647-80 USSR begins with a number (from 4 to 80), followed by the letter “N” separated by a hyphen. The higher the number, the larger the grain. For grinding putty, grades 20-N, 16-N, 12-N are used, as well as 10-N for fine processing;
Foreign markings (except for the USA, Canada, Japan and China) in accordance with the FEPA or ISO 6344 standard (corresponds to the modern Russian GOST 52381-2005) use the letter “P” at the beginning of the marking, followed by a number from 24 to 600. Here everything is the other way around: than The lower the number, the larger the grain. For our purposes, grades P60, P80, P100 and P120 are used for fine processing.

The abrasive mesh is marked in the same way as foreign paper. The marking is usually applied to the back of the material using printed ink. The code may include various additional symbols indicating the origin of the abrasive, the method of its application, moisture resistance, wear resistance and the purpose of the material.

This is what the P100 diamond mesh looks like.

Important! To sand the putty layer, four main grades of sandpaper or mesh are used: 20-N, 16-N, 12-N, 10-N and P60, P80, P100 and P120, respectively.

Execution of work

Grouting putty is easy.

We have found out why and how to sand the walls, now let's figure out how to rub the putty.

The instructions are simple and obvious:

If the wall is uneven and there are many defects on the surface, we start with the largest grade (P60 or 20-N). We clamp a piece of paper or mesh on the grater and begin processing, do not press too hard, move the grater along the plane in a circular motion;

We work in circular movements.

We work until the surface becomes homogeneous and there are no visible flaws left on it. Then we change the brand to a smaller one and go through the wall again. For a perfectly smooth surface required for painting, we complete the process with the finest paper 10-N or P120;

For fine finishing we use fine mesh or paper.

During the work, we use safety glasses and a respirator, since there will be a lot of dust, and it will not allow you to breathe and see normally;

Protect your eyes and respiratory tract.

In corners and hard-to-reach places it is better to work with your hands without using a block or grater. You can also use special bars with sharp corners;

Be careful in the corners - a rectangular grater will leave scratches.

It is advisable to use electric graters for large volumes of work and short deadlines. To treat one apartment, it makes no sense to buy such a device;

It makes sense to use a power tool only for large volumes.

At the end of the work, wipe the walls with a rag or sweep away the dust with a brush. You can go over them with a vacuum cleaner.

Finally, we clean the walls and ceiling from dust.

Step-by-step instructions for sanding walls

It is better to sand the wall while wearing a respirator or a bandage that protects the face. Putty dust does not contain toxic substances, but its quantity makes staying in the room extremely uncomfortable. It will be difficult to breathe without protective equipment. You will also need glasses and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

It is advisable to prepare a stepladder. The ceiling and the top of the wall can be processed by standing on a chair or stool, but in this case you will have to constantly reach for hard-to-reach areas at the very top. The hand in this position gets tired quickly.

To ensure that all irregularities are clearly visible, side lighting will be required. A table lamp or night light located in the corner will do. In this position, it will create a stream of oblique rays, causing the irregularities to cast shadows. If you shine the light directly, they may not be visible. The shadow creates the necessary contrast and reveals even minor defects.

If you work with sandpaper, it is better to use sheets with different grain sizes. For finishing, it is not advisable to use paper larger than P150 - it will leave marks. It is more convenient to remove large irregularities remaining after drying with a spatula. The material behaves differently depending on its composition. To figure out which paper to use, you need to try it on a small area. It is possible that scratches will remain even with P220 grit. In this case, you need to switch to P240.

When sanding, you should never put pressure on the tool - otherwise it will leave a mark in the soft coating. If large depressions have formed, they can no longer be leveled using a dry method. You will have to fill them with plastic mass, wait for it to dry and start all over again.

In corners it is more convenient to work with an abrasive sponge in the shape of a trapezoid. By leveling one edge, it will be impossible to damage the other. For hard-to-reach places, sandpaper wrapped around a pencil or finger, or a special mesh is suitable. Its advantageous difference is that it is easier to clean.

How to sand walls after puttying without dust

When grouting joints between sheets of drywall, you can use a wet tool. This method is not suitable for a large area, since the grains will immediately become clogged with wet mass. There are sanders with electric pumps and dust collectors. This device filters out particles perfectly, but a small amount remains in the air, so it is better to work with a respirator.

How to sand the walls after puttying?

The first step is to acquire the necessary tools and consumables. You will need:

Several types of abrasive mesh or sandpaper.
Sanding block.
Sanding sponge (used for hard-to-reach places).
Ladder.
Good lighting: spotlight or pendant lamp.
Small construction spatula.
Personal protective equipment: respirator, safety glasses, hat.

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Experts recommend sanding the walls after puttingtying them, before painting the surface or before gluing wallpaper. Grinding is often carried out for other types of construction work. The grinding process is relatively simple, but quite labor-intensive and dusty. How to sand walls after puttying? When sanding by hand, you can use sandpaper or a special abrasive mesh. The choice of material depends on the personal preferences of the master.

Abrasive (grinding) mesh for putty - its advantage lies in its perforated structure. All construction dust will pass through the holes, so during work it will not clog as much as regular sandpaper. The mesh needs to be changed when it wears out, which can be determined by its appearance: if it starts to tear or you feel that the grinding process is no longer as effective, then it should be replaced. As a rule, the mesh for grouting putty is sold on the market in pieces, the sizes of which correspond to the size of the bars, so all you have to do is install it and get to work. But remember that the bars are also different, so when purchasing a mesh, take this factor into account. The disadvantage of the sanding mesh is its higher price than sandpaper.
Sandpaper for putty - its main drawback is that during work it will constantly become clogged with construction dust, so it will have to be changed much more often than the mesh. You can purchase sandpaper in a variety of options: ready-made pieces, small rollers or large rolls. If you decide to go with rolls of sandpaper, you need to decide how you will cut it based on the size of the bar to ensure minimal waste. Of course, you can buy already cut pieces, but such a purchase will cost much more.

In addition, sandpaper has such a concept as grain size, which is indicated by a number marking. The choice of grain causes some difficulties for inexperienced craftsmen. The higher the serial number of the sanding belt, the higher its grain size (the number of grains per square centimeter), and vice versa. For example, coarse-grained tapes include tapes in the following range: from P20 to P220, and fine-grained sandpaper labeled from P240 to P2500.

Sanding the walls after puttying is carried out in two stages. Here you need to remember that the first grinding is done using coarse-grained sandpaper, and the final grinding is done with fine-grained sandpaper . To carry out renovation work in an apartment, sandpaper with a grit size of P80–P280 is mainly used. Not so often (for “jewelry” processing) smaller abrasives can be used – P320–P360. After treating the surface of the wall with starting putty, it is recommended to polish it with a rough grinding stone P100–P180. Sometimes, for initial processing, sandpaper marked P80 is used, but this is too coarse material and, for example, it is not suitable for painting. After treating the walls with finishing putty, the surface is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper P220–P280.

Workflow Description

We will consider the manual method of carrying out the work. This option is best suited for novice craftsmen, since it is difficult to ruin the finish when working by hand. Another advantage of this method is the ideal result, which cannot be achieved when using a power tool.

Power tools require certain handling skills

Stage 1 - collecting the necessary tools and materials

Sanding the walls after puttying is done using a standard set of devices. All of them are sold in construction stores and cost little, which makes the sanding process even more affordable.

For work we will use the following:

The sanding block (also called a manual skinner) can be made in two versions. The first option is a classic design with a handle and metal clamps, the second is in the form of a bar with grooves for fingers in the upper part and semi-automatic clamps. Width varies from 85 to 105 mm, length from 165 to 230 mm, price ranges from 170 to 300 rubles;

This is what the simplest device looks like

A more modern version with semi-automatic abrasive clamping

To accurately mark the corners, a special abrasive sponge with a beveled end is used. Use options with a grain size of no more than P120. The cost is about 80 rubles;

This sponge makes it easy to work on corners.

Sandpaper or abrasive mesh. I will discuss all aspects of grit selection in detail below;
Spotlight or carrying lamp. Necessary not only for general lighting, but also for control of the work process;

The lamp must be mobile

A stepladder or table from which you will reach all the surfaces to be leveled;
A putty spatula, it will be used to cut off all the sagging mortar to make sanding easier;
Sanding putty is a very dusty process. For work, be sure to stock up on a respirator, safety glasses and a cap . It’s better to wear a special protective overall so as not to spoil all your clothes.

These two elements are required, the rest are optional

Now let's figure out what kind of sandpaper to sand the putty for painting. The technology involves the use of several abrasive options. All necessary information is presented in the table.

Type of work	Materials used
Sanding the rough layer	For work, it is best to use sandpaper or mesh with a grit of P100-P120. Don't listen to those who advise something rougher, you'll just ruin the finish
Initial sanding of the finishing layer	Personally, I use the P150 option, it is almost scratch-free and quickly removes noticeable irregularities. If the surface has many flaws, then try P120; if the surface is not very scratched, then use it
Final sanding	What kind of sandpaper should I use to sand the finishing putty to perfect condition? The roughest option is P220, try it, if there are small scratches on the surface, then take P240 or even P280. That is, you need to try a couple of options on the spot to choose the best one

The abrasive mesh is produced in pieces for a specific grater size

Sandpaper is sold by the meter, you simply tear off a piece of the desired size before use.

Finally, let’s look at another common question: which is better – mesh or sandpaper? The good thing about the mesh is that it becomes much less clogged with dust during operation and therefore lasts longer. And the good thing about paper is that it is sold everywhere and costs noticeably less than mesh.

Don't buy cloth-based sandpaper, it's a waste of money. All the same, the sandpaper wears out very quickly, and the strength of the base is useless; cheap paper will suffice.

Stage 2 – primary surface grinding

When preparing walls and ceilings for painting, they are puttied at least twice, and between these stages it is advisable to sand the surface.

How to sand walls after puttying?

Before sanding the walls after puttying, you should make sure that the finishing layer is completely dry and ready for processing. Take care of good lighting in advance - it is necessary that the light falls on the treated area at an angle and only from one side. Remember to take care of your personal safety, always wear goggles, a hat and a respirator. There will be a lot of dust!

Large overhangs can be removed or trimmed using a small, clean putty knife. After this, secure the rough sandpaper to the sanding block. You always need to sand the wall in the direction from top to bottom and from left to right; in this case, not the entire surface is processed at once, but is divided into small sections.

If you have never sanded walls before and are not sure whether you have chosen the right abrasive grit, then first be sure to practice on a small area somewhere in the corner. After a short grinding, check the result - if you find scratches on the surface, it is better to replace it with an abrasive with a finer grain.

It is still permissible to use coarse-grained emery for wallpapering, but it will no longer be suitable for painting walls, since even minor defects cannot be allowed to appear - they will show themselves very clearly after painting.

When grouting, you should not press too hard on the sanding block, although, of course, you will still have to put in some effort. It is not recommended to grind in one place for too long, so as not to overdo it: sand it, inspect the surface for unevenness, and move on to the next area. If large depressions are found during the initial polishing process, it is better to skip them and treat them with putty later.

After sanding the main surface of the wall, you need to start processing corners and other hard-to-reach places. In this case, the use of a sanding bar can only harm the putty layer. Therefore, it is best to use sanding sponges that have beveled corners. If this material is not available, the corners can be sanded with a sheet of fine sandpaper folded in half.

Leveling process

To ensure high quality grinding, you must adhere to some rules for carrying out work:

You can start grouting only after the finish coating has completely hardened. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after applying the last layer of putty;
before starting work, you need to protect furniture and floors from dust with a covering film;
First you need to mark the most obvious surface defects. You can determine their location using a lamp;
It is recommended to start cleaning from the corners. Do not put too much pressure on the grater, otherwise you can create a “bald spot”, which will then have to be putty again;
It’s better to immediately decide which sandpaper to rub the putty on. It is not recommended to change the abrasive material during operation;
If you find depressions in the coating, you should not try to smooth them out with grout. It is better to then carefully putty them and sand them again.

Processing walls with a sander takes less time, but requires some skill. You may not calculate the force of pressure and ruin the coating.

Important! Ultimately, walls after mechanical grouting of putty require modification, because after it, as a rule, a lot of small defects remain.

How to sand a ceiling after puttying?

The ceiling attracts no less attention than the walls, and every flaw on its surface will be evident. The technology for sanding this surface is no different from sanding walls, except that working on the ceiling is much more difficult. Therefore, it is better to understand the question of how to sand a ceiling after puttying if you have grinding machines in your arsenal.

A mesh for grinding putty No. 60–80 is put on the machine if rough cleaning is being done; mesh No. 100 if finishing sanding is performed. To reach the surface, you need to use a stepladder. If a machine with a special rod is used, surface treatment is performed directly from the floor. The surface is sanded in a circular motion until it is perfectly smooth.

Primary grinding of the putty allows you to remove large defects. After its completion, you need to remove construction debris, debris, dust and check the surfaces for cracks and minor flaws, and then you can apply a layer of finishing putty. When the surface is dry, you can begin final sanding using a fine-grained abrasive. The technology remains the same as described above, but in this case all movements should be less sweeping and more accurate.

Marking of sanding materials

The main characteristic of an abrasive is its grain size, which is designated by the letter “P” in GOST markings. The numbers after the letter indicate the density of abrasive grains per unit area. The higher the value, the smaller the grain size. Some manufacturers use the old markings:

“H” – when the grain size is calculated in tens of microns;
“M” – if the fraction size is indicated in microns.

In this case, a larger value of the digital component of the marking indicates the presence of abrasive particles corresponding to a larger number.

For finishing grinding work, it is recommended to use sandpaper or abrasive mesh with the following markings: P150, P180 8-N, 6-N.

Required Tools

How to sand walls after puttying? For this purpose, special tools are used for grinding surfaces. How to sand the walls after puttying to make the wall as even and smooth as possible:

For sanding, a sanding block is most often used. This device acts like a grater with a manual base. The block is equipped with sandpaper or an abrasive mesh.

It is better to use a grinder if grouting needs to be done as quickly as possible. The choice of device is selected depending on the required power - the higher the power, the faster the grinding will be completed.

How to sand the putty becomes completely clear. Now it is important to decide not on the device itself, but on the auxiliary materials. Therefore, the question arises: what kind of sandpaper to rub the putty on and what kind of mesh is needed for sanding the putty.

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What kind of sandpaper to use and what advantages are determined here:

Mesh for grouting putty. It is the most convenient option, since grinding is carried out efficiently and quickly, and most importantly, without dust. In this case, there is no clogging of the material, and its high wear resistance is maintained. The sanding mesh requires periodic change during active work. The dimensions and quality of the mesh can be determined before purchasing.

Sandpaper for grouting putty. It is a less successful option, but quite effective. It is better to choose sandpaper with a grain number of 60, 80, 100, and then number 120. It is better to take the material in small quantities, as you should check the compliance. Most often, grit number 60 is suitable. For final sanding of walls, sandpaper with grit number 120 is used.

Sanding putty not only requires special tools and devices, but is also performed in accordance with a certain technique. It is important to carry out the treatment without using a primer.

On video: how to sand a wall after puttying.

Choice of abrasive material

Grouting of putty can be done using mechanical means or manually. When manually sanding, two types of abrasive materials are used: mesh and sandpaper for putty. Each of them has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Sandpaper for grouting putty

This is the most common material, which is a fabric or paper-based tape on which an abrasive coating is applied. Sanding paper is sold in rolls and formatted strips and differs in grain size. Coarse-grained paper is used for stripping old paint and varnish coatings and sanding layers of plaster applied to walls. A tape with fine abrasive particles is used for finishing surfaces.

Sandpaper for grouting putty can be produced in several colors, but its quality depends only on the composition and grain size of the abrasive.

Advantages: low cost, the tape does not stretch and is available in a wide range.

Disadvantages: low strength and wear resistance.

Abrasive mesh

The mesh for grouting putty is made of fiberglass, coated on all sides with abrasive shavings, which is most often used as silicon carbide.

Enlarged image of the grid:

The material is sold in sets of formatted canvases of different sizes, as well as in rolls. The main characteristic of the mesh, like sanding paper, is its grain size. But in use it has a number of advantages over sandpaper.

Advantages: the cellular structure of the material allows dust resulting from grinding the finishing layer of putty to freely come out without clogging between the grains of the abrasive coating. Using mesh saves time because it is more wear-resistant than paper, which means it needs to be changed less often. This is a waterproof material that is suitable for grouting all types of building materials. It makes it easy to sand surfaces in hard-to-reach places.

Disadvantages: Can only be used with additional accessories. Since the mesh has a double-sided abrasive coating, it is almost impossible to hold the blade in your hands, so it is better to secure it correctly.

Thus, the answer to the question of how to rub putty is obvious.

How to sand walls

How to sand walls after puttying so that the surface becomes perfectly smooth? It is important to know the technology and methods of how to sand walls after puttying. But first you need to decide on some characteristics of the walls in order to choose what to sand the putty with.

Grouting putty begins with choosing a tool. If the question arises about what kind of sandpaper to do the work with, then you should decide on the degree of processing: the initial sanding is 60 grains, and the final sanding is 120. How to sand the walls of a room with a large area? A machine is best for this, although corners, recesses and depressions will still have to be sanded by hand using sandpaper.

Sanding the walls after puttying is carried out in accordance with the following instructions:

1. First, the most visible irregularities and defects on the surface of the walls are highlighted. What kind of technology is needed for this? A powerful spotlight or lantern that is installed as close to the wall surface as possible. Thus, shadows appear on it from the protrusions or depressions of the putty. These places should be circled with a pencil.

2. How to rub putty correctly? It is better to start cleaning the putty from the corner. You need to move from top to bottom, occupying a strip of about one meter. After processing the designated strip, you should proceed to the next one. The movements should be spiral.

3. The putty on the walls should be sanded carefully, without applying much force. In this case, it is better to use sandpaper. Do not press too hard on the canvas to prevent holes from appearing in the putty. And there is no need to align the recesses with the general level.

4. Cleaning the finishing putty consists of the same steps as the starting one. In this case, polishing is done carefully, but with extreme caution so as not to damage the putty layer. It is better to sand the finishing putty using sandpaper.

To sand walls, you do not need to have experience in the construction industry. It is enough to adhere to a certain technology that is very easy to learn and apply.

How to minimize defects

To avoid possible shortcomings, it is necessary to use universal or finishing putty compounds. The first version of the mixture is laid in one layer on the prepared base, the second method is only suitable for use on the base layer.

Attention! Manufacturers of plasters indicate the consumption of the mixture on the packaging; on average, this figure for a layer thickness of 1 cm for one square meter is 10 kilograms.

Solutions have different compositions:

Type of plaster	Description
Water-dispersed	They are easy to sand and adhere perfectly to the wall.
Polymer	They have high elasticity and strength. Easy to process, and the coating does not lose its properties. Acrylic based.
Plaster	They are the easiest to sand, but have low reliability, unlike other types. Can only be used in rooms with minimal humidity.
Cement	As they dry, they shrink, which reduces their strength and adhesion to the pre-coated soil on the wall. To avoid this, plasticizers are introduced into the solution, which leads to higher prices.
Oil-adhesive	Characterized by good adhesion. Suitable for painting.

Also an important factor when choosing will be the company that produces the plaster mixtures. It is better to buy a high-quality gypsum or polymer composition than a poor water-dispersion one.

Ceiling sanding rules

How to sand a ceiling after puttying correctly, what tools and methods should be used for this? The ceiling is sanded using almost the same technology as the walls. To perform the work, you should prepare sandpaper. An abrasive mesh may also come in handy.

Wet grinding is ideal in this case. But in this case, the procedure takes much longer, since after each session you should wait until the surface dries.

The ceiling is usually rubbed using a tool such as a grinder. Sometimes the procedure is done manually. How to properly sand the ceiling:

The sandpaper for puttying the ceiling is the same as for puttingtying the walls. First, with 60 grit, and 120 sandpaper as a polishing tool. If you use the surface for wallpaper, then sanding is done thoroughly and completely.
It is necessary to produce illumination, which will highlight all the defects against which the skin will be produced. The grater is carried out along a designated strip from one corner to another.
Secondary putty should be disposed of in the same way. The choice of tool is the same as for the first layer of putty surface.
After this, the ceiling is primed and treated with antifungal agents. It does not matter whether the ceiling will be painted or wallpapered in the future.
To process the corners between the walls and the ceiling, use a tool such as a round sanding block. We use this technology for rubbing protrusions and shaped objects.

In any case, the grout base should be sandpaper or graters in the form of a sanding mesh. If it is necessary to paint the ceiling, it is necessary to carry out the treatment with puttying.

In places where depressions appear, it is necessary to carry out secondary treatment with putty.

Putty sandpaper - how to perfectly level the surface without experience

In the photo: sanding allows you to bring the surface to perfection

In this review, I will tell you how to properly prepare the ceiling and walls for painting. If you think that when finishing the main thing is to apply the putty perfectly, then you are mistaken. Flaws on the surface can be very easily removed by grinding, and how to do it efficiently, read below.

It’s more difficult to sand the ceiling, but if you want, you can handle this job without any problems

If everything is done efficiently, then even without painting the surfaces will look great.

Surface treatment after grinding

After surface treatment, further finishing cannot be started immediately. First you need to remove all construction dust that has settled on the walls and ceiling during the sanding process. To do this, you can use a tool such as a construction vacuum cleaner.

You need to walk around the entire perimeter of the surface and carefully remove all dust. If it is subsequently mixed with paint or wallpaper glue, lumps and lumps may form.

The second method of cleaning surfaces from dust does not require the use of a special tool, so it is the most acceptable in many cases, although it is much more labor-intensive. The methods used are as follows:

Use a wide brush with soft bristles to brush off as much dust as possible. You can use a regular broom. The main thing is not to press too hard, since putty is a very plastic building material.
After this, a secondary cleaning method is performed. Wet a cloth in cool water and wring it out well. Run the cloth over the walls and ceiling. Textiles should not fade, otherwise marks and stains will remain, which may subsequently appear through the paper layer or paint.
You need to wait until the putty is completely dry, and only then proceed with further finishing. To avoid washing out the construction mixture, the fabric should be slightly damp.

In any case, dust must be removed completely to avoid corrosion of secondary building materials. You should not use only a rag, as it is almost impossible to remove dust in this way.

After cleaning, you need to proceed with further actions: priming and treatment with antifungal agents.

High-quality grinding and further processing before finishing is the key to a successful repair. The sanding surface can be several types of sandpaper or mesh.

Sanding after plastering the walls must be done, as this solution will be an ideal option for a good basis for repair work. Even if the leveling was initially performed poorly, then with the help of further finishing it is possible to visually compensate for this defect. It is possible to carry out such a procedure, that is, to rub the putty, without the involvement of specialists - independent processing is quite suitable.

Recommendations for cleaning walls (2 videos)

Dust treatment

Now all that remains is to get rid of the dust. This can be done in two ways.

Use a construction vacuum cleaner to go around the entire perimeter. Don't forget about the corners, where most of the small crumbs from putty can get clogged. Additionally, after vacuuming, you can brush away any remaining dust with a large soft brush or a special brush.
In the second case, you will need a wide brush with soft bristles or a regular soft broom. You can use a special broom brush to remove dust. Gently brush away all dust. Then soak a rag or sponge in water and wring it out well so that the material is slightly damp, but the water is not dripping. Walk along the walls, lightly touching to remove any remaining dust without damaging the putty layer.

Don't neglect this step. If you skip it, the paint can mix with dust and lie unevenly, and the wallpaper can quickly peel off.

Proper sanding of walls after puttying is the key to an excellent finishing result. If you follow all the rules, you will achieve excellent results, saving time and effort!

Why do you need to sand walls?

All the procedures that we did before: plaster, putty - these are all procedures for leveling the wall. Plastering is rough, puttying is fine. And now the process of sanding or polishing the walls begins.

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Even after applying a thin layer of putty, in any case, small irregularities and tubercles remain on the wall, formed mainly by the sharp ends of the spatula, which remain when we disperse the putty and connect one part of the putty wall to another.

That is why when putting putty it is better to use a large spatula so that the area of leveling the wall is maximized. But the joints, no matter how hard we try, can still be traced. Therefore, after you have puttyed the wall, you need to let it dry (at least a day) and you can start sanding the walls.

Don’t try to accidentally prime the wall after puttying! Sanding begins immediately after puttying!

Conclusion

As you can see, sanding the walls after applying putty does not present any difficulty. The main thing is to choose the right abrasive material, which is easy to do by following our guide. To complete the picture, we offer you a video in this article, where everything is shown clearly.

The final stage of repair work on finishing walls for painting or wallpapering is the grouting of putty. The purpose of this procedure is the final correction of unevenness remaining after applying the finishing layer and smoothing out excess grain. The choice of materials and grinding method depends on the structure and area of the surface being processed. Even those who have never done repairs before can cope with the task.

What tools and materials are needed to sand walls?

So, let's look at what we need to have to start sanding the walls.

A sanding block is usually used for sanding walls:

In addition to the block, for grinding you need to have sandpaper or a sanding mesh, which is fixed into the block before starting work:

The sandpaper is on the left in the picture, the sanding mesh is on the right.

Devices for work

For high-quality grinding of the top layer of putty, one sandpaper or grouting mesh is not enough. It is necessary to have an arsenal of additional devices that will make the process easier and faster. The mandatory list includes:

Grinders or graters, which are a block on which abrasive material is fixed using a manual or automatic clamp. Correctly attaching the mesh or paper to such a device is not difficult.

What to consider when choosing a whetstone and grinding material (sandpaper, mesh)

There is no ironclad recommendation. Some people use a sanding mesh, others use sandpaper.

Sanding mesh

The advantage of the sanding mesh is that it does not become clogged with putty dust during operation. The mesh itself is perforated and all sanded off putty will pass through the mesh. It must be replaced during normal wear and tear, which is determined by the appearance of the mesh used. If the mesh is torn in places or you already feel that sanding is not as effective, replace the mesh with a new one.

Usually the mesh is sold in ready-made pieces directly to the size of the block and all you have to do is install it on the block and work. But, you need to remember that the size of the bars is also different, as shown in the picture. Therefore, when taking a mesh, immediately select a block to match its size. Mesh is more expensive than sandpaper.

Sandpaper

During operation, the sandpaper will become clogged with sanded off dust and the sandpaper will have to be changed more often than the mesh. You need to be aware that sandpaper, although cheaper than mesh, is also not a cheap material. It is sold in completely different versions: large rolls, small rollers, rectangular pieces.

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This is where all the useful home improvement stores are located. If you decide to sand with sandpaper, then you need to figure out how you will cut it, taking into account the size of the block, so that there is as little waste as possible. You, of course, can refuse to cut the sandpaper and buy pre-cut pieces ready for bars, but this will be more expensive! There is a concept of sandpaper grit (paper with different grains).

In order not to blow your mind on this topic, buy paper with grain 60, 80 and 100 in small quantities at the store and try to work with it. There is no exact recommendation on what grain to take. But it’s better not to take less than 60 for sure, because it will be very rough sandpaper. More than 100 is also not very good, because it will become very clogged with dust during processing and will have to be changed very often.

There is one more recommendation. If you have sandpaper with a suitable grain from old stock, then of course use it. No need to run to the store for a sanding mesh.

IMPORTANT! The walls that you will sand usually go on to either wallpapering or painting. In case of painting, the wall should be absolutely smooth, I would even say polished. In this case, the craftsmen sand the wall 2 times. The first time, for example, with 60-grit sandpaper, to remove obvious large frozen pieces of putty, and the second time, take even finer sandpaper, for example, with 120-grit sandpaper and polish the wall with it. But in the case of wallpaper, this is clearly a redundant operation. For wallpaper, just go over the wall once.