treesner Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Hey guys wondering if using paper towels is fine for applying stain and finish? It seems like whenever I use rags they are ruined and can't be used again. What do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I apply poly with a paper towel a la Jeff Jewitt and it works wonderfully. Not sure about stain, i dont use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 As long as it doesn't leave lint, there is no problem with paper towels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Speaking of Jeff in Jeff Jewitt's book, he applies stain with his HVLP. In regards to the paper towels I would think that you would have to constantly be changing them to keep from getting the lint in your project. Most paint supply places have big bags of cotton cloth rags for next to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I use paper towels from Costco (Kirkland Brand Select-a-sheet or whatever they call the smaller sheets). I use them whole for large work and bandsaw rolls into thirds which gives me a plethora of small pieces. I use them with oils, oil varnish blends, dyes, shellac, etc. My last couple coats on large open spaces go on with a cotton rag as I seem to get better results with something that can be loaded with a bit more finish per "dunk". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 51 minutes ago, treesner said: It seems like whenever I use rags they are ruined and can't be used again. Uh, yeah. Just like toilet paper. They're disposable. I don't like paper towels for finishing...they leave too much booger particle stuff behind for my taste. Old t-shirts, the older the better. You can buy them at Goodwill outlets for pennies per pound, literally. Probably cheaper than toilet paper if you do the math. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Regarding a water-based stain ~ I find using paper towels will actually take off too much stain when wiping back. The paper towel will do too good of job removing the pigments from the wood that your trying to leave behind. A dry paper towel acts like a high grit abrasive sanding the stain off the tops of wood fibers. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 What about Scott paper shop towels, the blue ones that come in a box??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 I have found paper towels that I left in my pocket and went through the washer & dryer are sturdy, soft and pretty lint free. But personally I use cotton rags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 I have used the blue ones with no problem. Keep the paper wet, and keep moving. When it gets hairy change it out. You can use a brush, or the back side of your hand if you prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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