WOODWORKING QUIZ for 2 Dec 04

[Ralph Jones]

Good Morning Friends,
A fellow posted on another forum the following question;

I was taught to clean off sanding dust with a tack cloth before finishing, but some of my fellow woodworkers disagree with that advise.

Can you shed any light on the subject?

Respectfully,

[Wood Borer]

If you were using some oils, the sanding dust can aid as a filling agent but you would want to make sure there was no grit from the sand paper remaining.

On good work, if you used a scraper or finished with a handplane there would be no need to dust off.

[RETIRED]

I use compressed air. Lazy bugger I know.

[Termite]

I use compressed air. Lazy bugger I know.

So do I, because it gets all the fine stuff off and out.

[johnmc]

Would the stickyness of the tack cloth sometimes get transferred to the workpiece thereby making application of the finish inconsistent ?


A bit like having an oil spot on a surface before painting - the paint won't adhere properly to the surface.

[echnidna]

Never had a compatibility problem using a tack rag but blowing the dust off with air first is good practise.

[Sturdee]

Depends on the finish you are going to apply.

Don't use it when french polishing as it takes much longer to work of the tackiness left by the cloth before a shine is put of the piece.


Peter.

[Ralph Jones]

Good Evening Friends,
You are correct in not using the tack cloth and those of you who blow the dust off or even vacuum it off are doing the right thing as that tack cloth as already mentioned will leave a film that make it rather hard to stain and achieve a good finish.

Thank you for your support.

Respectfully,