Sheetrock prep questions...actually sheetrock fix someone else's s***w up :)?

Question

okay, we bought a house that was way below market value that a sweet little old lady started about 100 remodel projects on. well, i'm on project 56 or so and here's the prob. she put up sheetrock, mudded it, didn't sand it, then painted it. my question is, what is the best way to sand down the area that was painted over. (lol, i'm pretty handy so you can use the big boy words in your explanations please :) ) tools i have access too are a few different types of electric sanders, manual sanders, most of the different types and grits of sandpaper, the joint compound and such, and then all your other basic tools. so any ideas would be great. (my hubby is at work right now, and due to illness is unable to physically do much of the work, but i can't get ahold of him to advise me on the exact type of paper :)

thanks in advance, and have a blessed day :)

Answer 1

I would apply thick coat of mud (available in paint stores) and make patterns on the wall with a trowel and such. This cover the mudded unsanded areas and hey, you never know, you may get a nice pattern out of the whole thing. It is a bargain.

If that is not acceptable, the ONLY way is to tear it down and start over. Sorry, that's the only way. To correct an incorrect work is too much work and too expensive and time consuming - plus it still won't come out the way you want it. This is lot simpler and neater.

Answer 2

I would just skim coat the wall to even it out withour having to sand at all

Answer 3

It can be sanded down. Use a coarse paper to start and then go to the medium. Because it has paint over it, it's just going to take longer.  I believe an electric sand is the way to go vs the metal screen you typically use.

Answer 4

Ouch.  In all my years of drywall, trying to sand down un-sanded mud that's been primed and painted over is a nightmare in itself.  Try a belt sander.  Because you'll be sanding so hard and deep (you'll be spot mudding in a lot of places), it might be easier to start from scratch and do it right.

You'll never be able to make someone else's c**p work look good.  Only way is do it right the first time or tolerate a mediocre job.

Answer 5

Try your local hire centre and hire a sander that plasterers use. I don't know exactly what it is called. Instead of sand paper you can use a fine mesh similar to the mesh you would use for a fly screen. It is on a long pole and it uses air flow to spin the disc. 99% of the dust is trapped in a bag attached to it. They are quite big and look quite cumbersome. They come with a sling which makes it very easy to use. As you use a mesh and it sucks the dust out you have practically no clogging. If you have a freshly plastered room such as a large bedroom it usually only takes about 15 mins to sand the whole room.

Answer 6

I use that sanding  screen  for dry wall and a hand sander. It's alot or work and messy VERY MESSY. But i only do it on my own home and am not a professional.