Drywall Sanding Sponges?

Abrasive Dan

I work for a company that manufactures the highest-quality sanding sponges in the world, hands-down, without question.

Based on customer feedback it seems that while woodworkers can see and appreciate the difference in sanding sponge quality that we offer, drywallers 9 times out of 10 don't seem to have the same sort of reaction.

I realize sanding is probably the most dreadful part of your job, but I'm just curious - is there a sanding sponge out there that you've noticed works better than others? Is there anything you look for in a sanding sponge, based on the work that you do?

Would love to hear your thoughts, guys.

Thanks,
-Abrasive Dan

Mike Finley

An important facet to selling a product is knowing your end user. I don't think there would be any confusion if you knew your end user and knew that a wood worker and a drywaller have just about nothing in common. We can go into the details if you need them, but I would hope you guys would have figured that out a long time ago, wouldn't you?

You do realize that a woodworker's sanding requirements are pretty much out of his control, but a drywaller fully controls his sanding chores based upon his mudding skills?

Abrasive Dan

Mike, you've got me all wrong!
The way I asked the question, I totally set myself up for a response like that. PLUS - I'm a newbie here on this forum.
Certainly understand that a woodworker and drywaller have very little in common with regards to sanding requirements, etc., but in essence, their concerns are pretty similar. When it comes to sponges, I'd say anyone would be concerned with how long a sponge lasts before it starts clogging up, and the way that it cuts. In addition, whether you're using a sponge for kitchen cabinets, crown mouldings, drywall, whatever - different shapes and sizes and degrees of flexibility of the foam can make a big difference to you.
When a contractor is using a sanding sponge on drywall, one thing they're concerned with is burnishing, right? The problem is that with most sanding sponges, the contractor is applying too much pressure and oversanding, the sponge quickly clogs up and becomes useless, they throw it aside and grab a fresh one and continue the cycle. This isn't the way it has to be. A sponge should glide over the surface with much less 'elbow grease' and effort required - the whole 'let the tool do the work for you' philosophy. Mike, can I send you some samples of our sanding sponges? put them up against whatever other brand you want. Tell me which is better.

-Abrasive Dan
dan@webbmfg.com

Mike Finley

Dan, appreciate the offer, but it would probably be a waste of time.

I have probably 4-5 sponges in my drywall kit of varying degrees of life left in them. When they die, I just get a couple of more out of Home Depot when I am in there for something else. I fall into the same 9 out of 10 drywallers that could careless about one sanding sponge over another. Sanding is such a tiny part of our effort in drywalling that a sanding sponge, a small dog, a corn cob... whatever is convienent...

Seriously we use a Radius 360 80% of the time.

I'm sure if you are offering though there will be a line of other guys here that will take you up on your offer.

Greg Di

Dan,

It looks like you have a product looking for a market rather than a market looking for a product.

Like Mike, I have sanding sponges all over the place and I just grab the closest one in reach. The only thing I don't like is if a sponge is too coarse to begin with and requires breaking in. I generally will rub a brand new sponge on the subfloor to get it going.

Drywallers might be THE lowest tech trade out there. You are "cutting edge" if you have a Rotozip for crying out loud.

Put it to you this way, your sponges would have to be earth-shattering to make me (us) not but the $3 ones I regularly buy. Not to be harsh, it's just something that is not super critical to the average drywall guy.

Greg

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Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

Dan,
I use sponges all the time for all types of projects, from drywall to finish carpentry. If you want to let some samples go, I would try some. PM me some info and I will get in touch with you.

ProWallGuy

Dan, please read our Forum Rules.

They include the line:

Participants may not solicit the membership for feedback or suggestions on their product or services.

TIA

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