Drywall Corner Sanding: Smooth Joints with 120–220 Grit Sheets

Drywall corners can be tricky to finish smoothly. Uneven seams or excess joint compound often stand out once painted. The solution is the correct use of 9x11 inch sandpaper sheets. eQualle’s wet dry silicon carbide sandpaper sheets make it easy to sand inside and outside corners without gouging the surface.

Why Sand Corners?

Corner joints are high-visibility areas that catch light and shadows. Proper sanding removes ridges and feathers edges, ensuring paint applies evenly. Without sanding, corners may look rough and unfinished.

Tools You’ll Need

• eQualle medium grit sandpaper sheets
• Hand sanding block or corner sanding sponge
• Pole sander for high corners
• Dust mask and goggles
• Work light to highlight imperfections

Best Grit Sequence for Corners

• 120 grit — Levels joint compound ridges. 120 Grit (25-pack).
• 150 grit — Blends seams smoothly. 150 Grit (25-pack).
• 220 grit — Final pass before primer. 220 Grit (100-pack).

Step-by-Step Corner Sanding

1. Begin with 120 grit sandpaper sheets. Sand down ridges where joint compound overlaps, working lightly to avoid gouging.
2. Switch to 150 grit. Smooth feathered edges and even out the surface.
3. Finish with 220 grit sandpaper sheets. Lightly sand both sides of the corner for a consistent texture ready for primer.

Special Cases

For outside corners with metal bead, avoid sanding too aggressively to prevent damaging the bead. For inside corners, fold sandpaper sheets in half for a snug fit.

Pro Tips

• Always use light pressure to avoid flattening corners.
• Shine a work light across the corner to spot imperfections.
• Vacuum or wipe corners between grits for cleaner results.
• Use sandpaper sheets that don’t clog with dust for longer life.

Aftercare

• Prime corners as soon as sanding is complete to seal the surface.
• Store leftover sheets flat and labeled by grit.
• Keep assorted grits handy for future drywall repairs.

FAQs

• Do I need a special tool for corners? A folded sheet or corner sanding sponge works best.
• Can I skip to 220 grit only? Not recommended—start with 120 to remove ridges, then refine through 150 and 220.
• Which pack should I buy? A 220 Grit (100-pack) is ideal for drywall finishing projects.

Watch & Learn

Perfect drywall corners with eQualle 9x11 in sandpaper sheets. Shop the full selection in the Medium Sandpaper Collection.