"sanding patience is definitely a learned skill, not a natural talent."
Haha, truer words have never been spoken... sanding patience should be listed as a DIY superpower. One thing I found helpful (after my own bumpy drywall debut) was using a bright handheld lamp or flashlight held at an angle along the wall. It reveals every sneaky dip and bump before you start painting. Trust me, it saves a ton of headaches later. And hey, if all else fails, remember: textured paint covers a multitude of drywall sins.
Haha, sanding patience as a DIY superpower... nailed it. Another thing that helps me is thinning the joint compound slightly—it spreads smoother and cuts down on sanding time. Learned that trick after inhaling way too much drywall dust on my first project.
Thinning the compound definitely helps—good tip! Another thing I've found useful is applying multiple thin coats instead of one thick layer. Takes a bit more patience, but saves you from sanding nightmares later... and your lungs will thank you too.
Couldn't agree more about the thin coats. Another thing I've noticed is that using a wider knife for each subsequent coat really helps feather out the edges. It might seem awkward at first, especially if you're used to smaller knives, but once you get the hang of it, the difference is noticeable. Also, good lighting is your friend—positioning a lamp at an angle can reveal imperfections you'd otherwise miss. Saves a lot of frustration later on... trust me.
