So I just got done building a stand and adding the wood filler were the nails are. My question is should I wipe down the stand with something before I stain it to pick up dust particles? Someone told me maybe to wipe it down with Terpentine but I didn't know if that would be smart.
Stain question
- Thread starter Bonne46
- Start date
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
You could use a tackcloth...which is kinda like sticky cheesecloth. Specifically made just for that purpose and you can stain immediately afterward. Should be only a coupla bux at the hardware store.
However...I've had reasonable success wiping with mineral spirits..aka paint thinner on a lint-free rag. The odorless stuff isn't nearly as nasty as the old stuff was.
Not sure if I would use actual turpentine...it's pretty nasty stuff.
Proper ventilation required of course!
However...I've had reasonable success wiping with mineral spirits..aka paint thinner on a lint-free rag. The odorless stuff isn't nearly as nasty as the old stuff was.
Not sure if I would use actual turpentine...it's pretty nasty stuff.
Proper ventilation required of course!
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
Basically just til the solvent evaporates....depends on temp & air movement. Maybe 15 minutes...if that. I usually use a clean piece of old tee-shirt. You'll probably be amazed how much crud you will pick up. Also helps clean off greasy fingerprints.
If it's really dusty I'd vacuum it, blow it off or use a tackcloth on it first. I wouldn't vac it or blow it off in the area where you are finishing it...the dust may settle back on the piece.
"Terpentine" is a registered trademark of the University of Maryland. Sports fans will get this joke, and sorry I couldn't resist.
I have always used just a tack rag, to remove the dust, and usually apply stain with an old sock, or some sort of terrycloth.
I'm not too sure i would wipe the wood with any type of liquid before I stained it, since stain is absorbed into the wood. If any parts are still damp, you will have a blotchy finished stain job.
I dont think you need to wipe it with anything more than a tack rag.
If you are set on a wet wipe, I'd use naptha.
EDIT:
Removing duct particles isnt critical at the staining process. Since stain is absorbed into the wood, you wont seal any particles to the surface.
Be especially careful when you begin to polyurethane the project as this is when you will seal foriegn material to the finished surface.
Pick up some fine steel wool, and a few tack rags...
I'm not too sure i would wipe the wood with any type of liquid before I stained it, since stain is absorbed into the wood. If any parts are still damp, you will have a blotchy finished stain job.
I dont think you need to wipe it with anything more than a tack rag.
If you are set on a wet wipe, I'd use naptha.
EDIT:
Removing duct particles isnt critical at the staining process. Since stain is absorbed into the wood, you wont seal any particles to the surface.
Be especially careful when you begin to polyurethane the project as this is when you will seal foriegn material to the finished surface.
Pick up some fine steel wool, and a few tack rags...
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
probably lots of opinions on brush vs cloth...
hmm...with liquid stain I think the brush would be easier to get an even coat and less messy.
With gel stain, I'd go with the t-shirt.
I'm presuming you're going to top this with poly or something (?)
If you have not purchased the stain yet, consider polyshades, tinted polyurethane. Coupla coats of that with a foam brush and you're done...not AS nice a finish as stain + poly, but IMHO fine for a tank stand. You still have to lightly sand(steel wool or scotchbrite) between coats, but you have to do that with poly anyway.
Last edited:
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
As zig said..if you ARE going to wipe it down...be sure it's dry before staining.
I got into the habit of wiping with mineral spirits as an inital prep before painting almost anything...and I guess that carried over into finishing. I've never had problems with stain or poly after a mineral spirits wipe. I'm not a fine furniture maker, more like tank stands/hoods and the occasional furniture repair.
You don't want to wet wipe the stain or between poly coats....tackcloth is your friend there. 1 tackcloth should do the whole job...and then some.
For the 'sanding' between coats of poly I like the little scotchbrite finishing pads.
I got into the habit of wiping with mineral spirits as an inital prep before painting almost anything...and I guess that carried over into finishing. I've never had problems with stain or poly after a mineral spirits wipe. I'm not a fine furniture maker, more like tank stands/hoods and the occasional furniture repair.
You don't want to wet wipe the stain or between poly coats....tackcloth is your friend there. 1 tackcloth should do the whole job...and then some.
For the 'sanding' between coats of poly I like the little scotchbrite finishing pads.
Well I put the first coat of stain on lastnight and wow does it already look gorgeous! I may keep it at one coat, not to sure yet. I do have to little spots that didn't take the stain in so I am going try to just stain those spots and see what happens.
Now before putting the poly on should I tack cloth the stand again? I tack cloth it before staining.
Also what should I apply the poly with? Cotton cloth as well or something else?
Lastly what grit should I use to sand the poly? I was looking yesterday at the scotchbrite pads, and I believe they had 220 and 180. Wasn't positive on what to get.
Now before putting the poly on should I tack cloth the stand again? I tack cloth it before staining.
Also what should I apply the poly with? Cotton cloth as well or something else?
Lastly what grit should I use to sand the poly? I was looking yesterday at the scotchbrite pads, and I believe they had 220 and 180. Wasn't positive on what to get.