Dusty drywall

[TomC750]

Just finished sanding drywall in our basement. It is dusty of course, and dusting it with a drymop type tool still leaves dust. How **** do I have to be prior to painting?

Tom

 

[jcarapet]

Roll on, not at all.

Spray on, not really either.

Vacuum up the stuff on the floor so you don't track it around and you will be good in my experience.

PVA primer for even texture.

 

[Zeke]

I somewhat disagree being a painting contractor at the beginning of my 50 year career. I would just broom it with a soft floor broom. No wet wiping needed. But you don't need a surplus of dust.

 

[BigGarage]

Just finished sanding drywall in our basement. It is dusty of course, and dusting it with a drymop type tool still leaves dust. How **** do I have to be prior to painting?

Tom

When I remodeled my 2nd floor bathroom 8 years ago I had so much sanding to do it wasn't funny. I used a damp sponge to wipe down the walls, ceiling and all the taped joints. It worked well for me.

Dennis

 

[cgrutt]

Definitely want to get most of the loose dust off walls and out of joints. I vacuum walls before painting (regardless if there was drywall work or not). Loose dust will pull out of pores and transfer as little clumps on rest of paint if you roll it. I've seen it happen. Also seen cured paint not adhere to wall because of drywall dust. PVA or standard water based primer is a good thing on raw drywall, will seal it and make top coats roll out smoother and appear more uniform (won't flash off on compound, etc). Doesn't need to be an operating room but get as much off as you can with reasonable effort. Use a bag and filter (preferably HEPA) if using a shop vac to prevent the dust from just blowing out the exhaust. Good luck with project!

 

[TomC750]

Appreciate the replies. We vacuumed and mopped the floor, started wiping down the walls. At 80 and 83 we're not as fast as when we were younger.

Tom

 

[Augus7us]

I just use a dry towel to get all the big clumps of dust off. A thin coating of dust is just going to get soaked up in the first coat of primer is how I view it.

I'm not a pro and probably would pay someone to wash it down with wet cloth if this was castle Augus7us.

 

[PoorUB]

I just dust off the walls with an old bath towel. Roll the rest into the primer. Never had an issue.

 

[Viper98912]

I use a lightly damp towel to wipe it down

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, you will be best served by eliminating as much dust as possible, that is why i minimize sanding by smoothing all joints with a damp sponge while the "mud" is still wet.
Airborne dust can be trapped with an air filter, try to avoid breathing airborne dust.

 

[Hank11]

I’m in the vacuum camp. Greatly increase your chance of a good finish.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Of course the trick is to lay the mud so you hardly have to sand.

 

[pbon]

I vacuum the walls if I gave the time and care about the location.

 

[sammer]

I always vacuum fresh drywall with a floor attachment.
Pulls all the dust out of the pinholes that invariably get packed full when sanding.
Usually find lots of spots that need a touch up after the sanding dust is vacuumed away.
sam