Old timer's sanding trick saved me 2 hours on a ceiling patch

This 60 year old guy I sub for showed me to wet the compound before sanding on ceiling work. Just a damp sponge over the final coat, wait 10 minutes, then hit it with 220 grit. Dust drops like 80 percent and my arm didn't hate me after that 12x14 bedroom repair in Austin last Thursday. Anyone else wet sand in tight spots or am I late to this party?

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mark_smith591mo ago

Wait, wait, hold on. You're telling me the trick is just a damp sponge and 10 minutes of waiting? That's it? I've been out here choking on dust and wearing a respirator for years on ceiling patches, like some kind of idiot. I mean, I've heard of wet sanding for drywall on the final pass, but never with a sponge soak first. And you say the dust drops by 80 percent? That's a huge deal, man. I did a ceiling repair in a master bedroom last month and my truck looked like a snow globe inside afterwards. All my tools had a fine white film on them. Honestly, that old timer must know some dark secrets. I'm gonna have to try this on my next patch job this weekend. My shoulder and my lungs both thank you for posting this.

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