Prepping for staining/varnish tips

[Russ]

Hi guys,

For post sanding, do you guys have any recommendations on how to prep your word project right before you apply that first coat of stain/varnish.

What im referring to is cleaning all of the surfaces of your project so that no dust (saw dust) is wiped in with the varnish/stain.

What do you guys use to clean?

1.  Compressed air
2. dry rag
3. some sort of  sticky cloth
4. Damp cloth (not sure if this is a good idea)

Just how critical is this part? Im under the impression that it's quite important.

Any tips on how to really get all surfaces clean?

[James P. Cottingham]

Compressed air is not a good idea. The dust gets into the air and then settles back onto the wood after a while (usually just after you put on the first coat ;-) ).

Since I use oil-based stains I prefer a rag damped with mineral spirits. The mineral spirits will dry completely  leaving no residue. It will also highlight any marks that still need to be sanded or any glue spots. I've also used some "microfiber" cloths made for woodworking with some degree of success, too.

I also read that if you are using a water-based stain, it might be a good idea to wipe down with a rag slightly damped with water. This will raise the grain just like the stain would. Then, after it dries, you can do one more light sanding and then use a sticky cloth or a rag damped with mineral spirits.

You can make sticky cloths with varnish or shellac but I've found the damp rag works very well.

[Russ]

ahhh! thanks for the input.

Right now, im using Frombys.  Unfortunately, "real tung"oil is not permitted in CA

I think i'll give your mineral spirits a try this weekend on my coffee table.

again, thanks for the input.

[ray vile]

I wipe everything down with denatured alchohol, It does the same as mineral spirits but it dries faster. I also use a tack cloth to remove the dust in between coats.

[justin waldron]

Russ, another thing about compressed air you have to be careful about is that it can also blow oil onto your project and cause "fisheye" down the road.  I vacuum mine and then use a lint free rag with mineral spirits to clean it before finish. 

[jason black]

i try and use my shop vac to suck up any dust then wipe it down with mineral spirits as well.

[Russ]

thanks again, guys.

I dont have a compressor yet (next on my list_) however, i was thinking of a one time ONLY blast of air before and applied the first coat. All done outside of the garage. But it appears the consensus says a wipe down is best.

As of now, i have purchased some mineral spirits lastnight and some good rags for today's task. :)

[Rick]

Compressor is bad!  I use shop vac and tack rag after sanding.  If looks are important, and you are finishing with Formby's, then wiping with spirits is great to expose flaws or scratches in the wood.

Formby's is a great wiping product.  You do NOT want to use "pure" tung oil since it will never harden.  I also like Arm-R-Seal and Waterlox wiping finishes.

Before staining "splotchy" woods like pine or maple, it helps to use SealCoat or Wood conditioner.