Didn't a painter's blog say to use a damp sponge for sanding dust?

Actually, my post was about finding other uses for stuff before tossing it. Like turning an old mug into a pencil holder. It's more about being creative than fixing things.

Yeah flexibility coming with practice is how most things worth learning go.

Yeah the black smoke thing is no joke. My old pickup did that and it turned out to be a clogged filter too, whole cabin smelled like a campfire lmao. Good call by @rivera.emma on checking it regularly, saves a headache later. Sometimes I swear mechanics are just car wizards.

Actually reminds me of trying to arrange furniture in a weird shaped room. You push everything against the walls thinking it will feel bigger, but then you just trip over everything. Leaving some breathing room always works better in the end.