agab6601 Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 I want to pick some of the people's brains out there on what to use when finishing a piece. I have in the past used cotton rags (old clothes) I cut them in small pieces but end up with fuzzies, so what is the best cloth to use for applying stain, and wipe on finishes? I was told tack or cheese cloth is good, but when I went to the hardware store it seemed a little pricey for what little bit you got in the package. Anyway any thoughts on this are great, since I know finishing a project is very important in the overall process. -Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 I've purchased tack cloth at Menards for cheap. I keep them in zip-lock bags because as the name implies everything sticks to them. I don't use it for applying finish however. When I apply dyes, or wipe-on poly I will usually use cheese-cloth. Which you can purchase by the ton at a fabric or craft store for almost nothing, especially around halloween when it is used for all kinds of crafty projects. Some dyes and gel-stains I apply with a sponge, but you need to work slowly and take care not to get bubbles. Most other stains and other finishes just go on with a high quality brush. I clean my brushes very carefully when I'm finished and I mark each one as to what I use it for. I'm not sure if it really helps, but in my simple brain using the same brush everytime for the same type of product seems to give me more consistant results. Maybe I'm just over-thinking. All of this, of course, assumes you are not spraying any of it. Because that would open up an entire new thread of how to spray finishes and with what type of gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmac Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 I've had pretty good luck applying wiping varnish with paper towels by putting them in one of those big, black, heavy-duty paper clips. Check this blog entry for more details. -- Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 I put wiping varnish on with a scraps of old tee shirts and wipe it off with paper towels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agab6601 Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2011 Thanks for the info, no I do not spray on finishes, my shop is in the basement. However I did install an exhaust fan to run outside for fumes, but I will check the craft stores and menards out. Thanks a bunch! -Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted April 18, 2011 Report Share Posted April 18, 2011 Andy, I use old white t-shirts cut up into approximately 6" x 6" squares. I avoid tearing them into size. I use scissors, otherwise yes, I get the fuzzies. The other thing I do with the squares is to fold them into a pad so that all the edges are folded inside and I apply and wipe with the center area of the square only. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineGerl Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I've had pretty good luck applying wiping varnish with paper towels by putting them in one of those big, black, heavy-duty paper clips. Check this blog entry for more details. -- Russ Great suggestion...thanks for sharing this. I might try this next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboMonk Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'm a pro and I use tons of old tee shirts and used bed linens. I put the word out that I needed these materials (temple and church) and the donations poured in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 I'm still a nooblet, but I've been fine with old undershirts. For cutting boards, I've been using old socks which have been working great. Are the old clothes your using not that old? I feel with the old stuff, lint and fuzzies hasn't been a problem for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanLincoln Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Sandpapers can be used for different purposes in wood finishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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