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Appreciation post: My vaulted ceiling job made me glad I skip the power sander
I know everyone says to use a power sander for speed, but I think hand sanding gives a better feel. This last job had a tricky vaulted ceiling with weird corners. I spent extra time with just a sanding block and it came out super smooth. The homeowner was blown away and gave me a shout out online. Maybe it's just me, but that patience really paid off this time.
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parkerr481mo ago
Honestly... how much of a difference does it really make once the primer and paint go on? That extra hour of block sanding seems like overkill for something nobody will ever touch or look at that close. Most home owners just see a smooth coat of paint, not the grit you used to get there.
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wendy2051mo agoMost Upvoted
Know exactly what you mean about that extra hour feeling pointless. But I've seen paint jobs where you can still see every scratch and sanding mark under the right light, even after primer. It's like the light just skims across the surface and shows every little thing. Maybe most people don't look that close, but you'll always know it's there, right? That smooth finish you feel is totally worth the sore arms later.
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jade2261mo ago
Your point about 'patience really paid off' hits home. I read an article last week where a pro painter said hand sanding on ceilings lets you feel for bumps that machines miss. He argued that power sanders can sometimes over-sand flat spots while missing high points. That seems exactly right for tricky angles like vaulted ceilings. The control you get with a block probably saved you from gouging the drywall. Do you find that hand sanding helps you catch more flaws before priming?
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