Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe

    Discussion Forum

    Discussion Forum

    Do I need a tack cloth? educate me

    jaybee76 | Posted in Finishing on September 28, 2019 09:39pm

    My stair tread project is on its way. 

    I put 3 coats of poly on and will sand after 24 hours to continue to put more coats on. (its a minimum of 4 coat project, and does not ask for sanding until a coat has been dry for 24 hours and i ran out of time today)

    I plan to lightly sand with 220. It is water based poly. Should i just blow it off with a compressor or use a tack cloth? does it need to be spotless to add more coats

    Ive seen some products say you dont even need to sand the powder because it will blend back in with the next coat but I dont just plan on leaving the dust and i dont remember which product i read that on

    what will a tack cloth do? can it damage anything? do i need it?

    these are reclaimed fir stair treads with knots and wont be a super smooth finished look.

    I plan on doing 7 or 8 coats of poly for a thick hard finish. (why?)
    1- i had to buy a gallon and will have no other use for it so i might as well use it
    2- these are stairs treads and i dont want to redo it down the road. the top may fade but i can take the tread out, sand it, and recoat if needed
    3- this is varathane high traffic floor finish and not a commercial floor product so i dont trust that the minimum 4 coats will be enough ((and i dont trust that my coat will be enough, enough, or too much)
    4- i will be using 4 to 5 coats of gloss then switching to satin for the final 2 coats

    Reply
    X

    Replies

    1. User avater
      cmascolo | Sep 28, 2019 11:44pm | #1

      A 'tack cloth' in the traditional sense is a cloth (usually cheesecloth) impregnated with a solvent based substance or mixture of solvent based substances such as turpentine, mineral spirits, etc. If you are using a water based finish, such as the poly you mention, you would not need to 'tack' the surface between coats with a traditional tack cloth. A clean cloth dampened with water would be sufficient to wipe away any residual dust. Using a tack cloth would likely leave behind some oil based residue that may not be compatible with your subsequent coats of water based poly and present some problems with the finish.

    2. John_C2 | Sep 29, 2019 08:11am | #2

      I've been woodworking for over 35 years, and never used a tack cloth.

      7 or 8 coats is a lot. I'd use maybe 4.

    3. jaybee76 | Sep 29, 2019 10:39am | #3

      thanks john. The product is a minimum of 4 and after talking to them and searching around I thought a few more wouldnt hurt. Mostly because this is stair traffic, for having to buy the whole gallon, and at the risk that i may not be using enough per coat to meet their minimum. i really just dont want to do it again.

      I also wanted to do the 4 coats in gloss and then finish in satin, which i could also rub out the gloss to a satin I see, but some say different. I also cant use steel wool on this product so rubbing it out prbably isnt an option

    4. jaybee76 | Sep 29, 2019 10:40am | #4

      thanks cmascolo, the first 4 coats can be applied within 24 hours as long as dry to touch, and after 24 hours needs sanding. i will take the advice for further coats to wait 24 hours between each one. I have 3 done. Probably 10 or 2 more gloss and then 1 or 2 satin

    5. User avater
      forrestb | Nov 26, 2019 09:08pm | #5

      After sanding blow the dust out with pressure air if available and the then vacuum. Tack cloth adds solvent material to the wood that might interfere with your finish

    6. User avater
      jkatzowitz | Nov 27, 2019 08:09am | #6

      Shellac is one of the products that will blend the layers of finish together.

    7. RonT | Dec 02, 2019 01:41pm | #7

      I have found that a Swiffer Dry Dust cloth does an amazing job removing dust providing you have properly sanded the board and layed down a couple of top coats. Wiping the bare wood hangs up the cloth leaving fiber behind. Blow of the dust for the first couple of coats.

    8. spatzfurniture | Dec 02, 2019 01:57pm | #8

      Spraying the wood with compressed air followed by a clean rag or old t shirt is my standard approach. If that leaves too much dust behind, it doesn't hurt to dampen the rag and go over it again. Tack cloths can leave behind adhesives and solvents that may interfere with the finish. Polyurethane isn't usually a problem but you may run into issues using tack cloths on other finishes.

    Log in or create an account to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    Get It All!

    UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

    Save up to 56%

    Subscribe

    Related Posts

    • Another coat or not of poly
    • easiest way to refinish a flaking veneer table top

    Categories

    • Business
    • Finishing
    • General Discussion
    • Hand Tools
    • Jigs, Fixtures, Tips & Tricks
    • Joinery
    • New To Woodworking
    • Power Tools and Machinery
    • Project Plans/CAD Software
    • SketchUp
    • Turning and Carving
    • Wood and Materials
    • Workshop

    Discussion Forum

    Recent Posts and Replies

    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    View More Create Post

    Member Exclusives

    More Member Exclusives
    • wiping varnish finish

      How to brush on a varnish finish

      A wiping varnish goes on easily and creates a tough surface ready for rubbing out.

    • door and drawer pulls

      Continous grain, mitered door and drawer pulls

      Larissa Huff and Robert Spiece's smart construction techniques make fashioning their small parts safe and repeatable.

    • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm

      Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm

      With an understated shelf, beveled through-tenons, and stretchers shaped at the ends to corbel-like curves, this coffee table evokes the traditional Arts and Crafts style without being too serious.

    • How to Assemble a Dovetailed Box

      How to Assemble a Dovetailed Box

      Tips and tricks for assembling a dovetailed box and installing surface-mount hinges.

    Highlights

    • Shape Your Skills

      when you sign up for our emails

      Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

      Sign Up
    • Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.

    • Woodpecker Sweepstakes

      Woodpeckers Shop Upgrade Giveaway

      Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Click for full details.

    • Staff Picks Blog

      Our favorite articles and videos

      We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.

    From the Store

    View More
    • Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking USB

      Buy Now
    • 52 Boxes in 52 Weeks

      Buy Now
    • The Why & How of Woodworking

      Buy Now
    • 2020 Fine Woodworking Archive

      Buy Now
    View More

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Seven tasks for a block plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend
    • #287-Jan/Feb 2021

      • Simple, handsome 17th-century box
      • Online extras from FWW issue #287
      • Editor's letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
    • #286-Tools & Shops 2021

      • Shoulder plane setup and use
      • Online extras from FWW issue #286
      • From the editor: A shop to call home
    • #285-Nov/Dec 2020

      • Make a dovetailed desktop organizer
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #285
      • Announcing FWW ambassadors

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership