OK,
I’m applying gel varnish and I can’t seem to find any lint-free rags anywhere. I picked up rags at two locations (HD and Lowes) and they lint out when I apply the varnish. I even washed them all before I used them to try and rid them of lint. Can anyone suggest where I can get lint-free rags? What do you use?
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Replies
I use my wife's old nylons. They are lint free. Can snag, but your wood should be free of burs and such that would snag. One caveat: I once used my old blue nylon socks for French polishing and the dye from the socks bled into the shellac. Have never had a problem with hosery like women wear, especially with varnish. I think it was just the alcohol disolved the dye. Foam brushes work well too, but you can't "scrape" off the excess varnish on the edge of the can or it puts bubbles into the varnish in the can. Just sort of tap the brush against the inside lip of the can.
Thanks Danno. Have you used gel varnish and what is your opinion. Since it does not require any sanding in between I've found that the tabletop is not as smooth as when I used wipe-on poly and sanded in-between coats. It looks great but the feel is not there...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Sorry, haven't used gel varnish--only gel stain. (Sort of have used gel varnish, but the manufacturer didn't make it that way--it was old!)
If the nylon works for you I'm all for it but I hate using any material for finishing that has nylon or polyester in it--it doesn't soak up the liquid.
Use paper towels that do not have any embossing pattern on them--or the blue roll of shop towels from HD. I also use very old sheets and t shirts--all cotton.Gretchen
That's why I do use nylon/polyester--I don't want the finish in the rag, I want it on the wood, but to each his/her own. I like the new roller covers with Teflon for the same reason (for painting, not for applying varnish!).
But in my experience, it doesn't distribute well--almost like beading up. But, as I say, whatever works.Gretchen
I used the blue shop paper towels, often purchased for Costco, for years with excellent results. The last package of those towels I just got from Costco shed paper lint all over my work on a large table top. What a disappointment. Sand down all those nibs and start over!
I know they're not entirely lint free, but I have had some success using old, cut up T-shirts for this purpose.
But mainly, I use Wypalls from Scott Paper. I buy them from a local paper wholesaler, but I have noticed they are pretty commonly available with various packaging (rolls, folded, pop-up boxes).
They're a high quality paper towel, and I use them for wiping stuff down prior to varnishing/painting -- and I also use them for any wipe-on finishes.
I don't think they are rated as entirely "lint free" -- but they're pretty close. At least lint has not been a problem.
********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Thanks Nikkiwood,
I appreciate the info and I'll look into the Wypalls...Good point about the T-shirts. I actually have some fairly new ones that were given to me that would probably fit an o-lineman in the NFL. I may just cut those up and give them a try...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Old T-shirts should be lint free. To encourage any shirts to become lint-free, put them in the dryer with 3 or 4 tennis balls, run 'em for a half-hour or so. Works great to fluff up feather/down pillows too!
When I need a good paper towel, I use the really thick, unpatterned Viva towels. Will have to try the others mentioned above.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Jamie,
Great suggestions. This is why I posted this question to Knots. Always excellent info...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Buzzsaw,
I have used Scott white rags in a box that are available in the paint department of Home Depot or Lowes, they come in a yellow and blue box and are quite durable and lint free (they are some kind of very durable paper product). I have used these rags with Bartley gel stain and varnish and they do a great job..
They also do a great job cleaning car windows...
Best of luck
Thanks Bobabeui,
Scott white rags huh? I'll have to look for those. I don't remember seeing those. Do you find that with bartley's gel varnish the feel isn't as smooth as using wipe-on poly? Maybe I should be lightly sanding after the last coat but I'm not going to do it unless someone else has tried it and has had success...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Buzzsaw,
Correct, Scott white rags at HD or Lowes about $10 for a box of 200 'rags'.
The first coats of Bartley varnish are defiantly a challenge to remove, after coat number two I will used 0000 steel wool or Scotch Bright gray to remove any small imperfections. Generally, I find 3 coats is just about right for my taste and the product goes on and off pretty good at that point. If the weather is hot, you have to cover less sq footage at one time, as the product flashes pretty quick.
Have to say that I have been pretty please with the results of the Bartley products, have never used the Minwax product though.
Best of luck
Edited 6/24/2005 1:05 pm ET by BOBABEUI
Do you use the 0000 after the last coat?Regards,
Buzzsaw
Buzzsaw,
I do not rub out the last coat of Bartley Gel vanish.. Generally after 3 or 4 coats and rubbing out the mid coats, you have a fairly tight low sheen finish.
Best of luck
Thanks Bobabeui...Regards,
Buzzsaw
I use non-embossed paper "shop towels". You can also use an old T-shirt, that one sock you can't find the mate to and old sheets.
Howie,
Thanks for that post. I'll have to look for those. I think I may just end up using the old T-shirt suggestion. I do have plenty that I can use...Regards,
Buzzsaw
I find old T-shirts at the semi-annual church rummage sale. In the last hour, anything that fits in a grocery bag is $5. I go through looking for anything white and 100% cotton. I win:the church wins.I also have several people from the local "freecycle" that aave up old T-shirts and give me a call when they have a bag.A lot of socks are too textured for applying finish, but work fine for clean up and stripping.
A lot of paint stores or industrial supply houses sell old white t shirt rags by the 10 lb box.
Auto parts stores always have what they claim are lint free cloths for polishing your car. Peter
I use cheap paper towels.
Agree, but be sure they are flat--not with an embossed pattern. Otherwise you will get streaksGretchen
My local BIG BOX has a bunch in a bag for $3.00 or so... Not cotton.. Rayon or something like that.. Work wonders and cheep! .... I love cheep!
When it comes to soft, super-absorbent, liint-free rags, it's hard to beat old-fashioned cloth diapers with high mileage on them. If you have a diaper service in your area, you might ask about their obsolete inventory.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Are these good for staining? ha ha
"Are these good for staining? ha ha"
Peter,
They're great for eliminating stains. Clean up with baby oil, of course.-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
"baby oil?" you are probably holding him to tight.
Try http://www.mcmaster.com and search on "low lint rags". There are several choices on the page. You'll have to read the description, as well as look for the little ‡.
Thank you everyone for your insightful posts! You guys are the best!...Regards,
Buzzsaw
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