MORE MUDD
Well, it looks as if all the compound we applied yesterday is dry and ready for a little more attention.
I know all this prep work can seem endless, but believe me it will pay off. You are probably hearing that little voice about now. The one that is saying :
"Forget all this prep work mess, lets paint this sucker and get it over with, besides, no one will ever notice."
Don't listen to it. They will notice, and more importantly you will know that you did not allow yourself the opportunity to do your best work. If you allow the job to take control you will never be satisfied with the results.
With the Four inch putty knife we can knock off any lumps or ridges on the patches by simply pushing the edge of the knife across the patch. Now apply the second coat of compound in the same way we did the first. With the exception of major offences this should be the last application of compound. Major offences may require a third coat, if so just repeat the process.
Short day..… Let them dry.
SANDMAN
Sanding is not fun, but it is necessary, so let's get it over with.
First we need a dust mask and a sheet of 100 grit sandpaper. I fold my paper end to end and fold it once more from side to side so that I have a quarter sheet of sanding surface. As the paper wears out I simply refold it to expose a fresh side. Another method is to wrap the sandpaper around a small block of wood. This will give you a good flat sanding surface. I prefer to start with the block method and finish with the folded paper to give me a better "feel" while I fine tune the patch.
The rule for sanding patch work is always the same. Start sanding at the outer edges of the patch and work your way to the center. This is called "feathering". Hard edges cannot be covered with paint. As you sand check the patch by running your hand across the surface, you will be able to feel any bumps or hard edges you may have missed. Try not to over sand the area so that you are left with the same "ding" you started with. Keep it simple and smooth.
We had better close this door to the rest of the house. Sanding means dust, fine dust. Dust masks on.… sandpaper in hand....let's do it.
Now that we are finished sanding, I suggest we vacuum. Don't sweep, sweeping causes the dust to become airborne........vacuum.
