Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | May 27, 2005 03:27am | #1

   Next time put it in a plastic bag. Throw the one you have out and buy more.

   mike

1. 
   pqken | May 27, 2005 10:24am | #2

   How do you make a tack rag?

1. 
   frenchy | May 27, 2005 10:43am | #3

   pqken,

        tack rags are purchased not made.. I've seen homemade tack rags affect finishes and cause problems but I've never had one I purchased cause that problem..

     I can't believe that I'm still using a tack rag that is over a month old and no I've never put it back in it's bag!    every few days I grab and there it is and I say to myself that this is the last time and next time I'm going to open a new bag..

2. 
   ring | May 27, 2005 11:09am | #4

   Since I have a very nice spray room I hardly find use for a tack rag any more.  But when I do want one, I just spray a little of whatever I am about to use onto a clean cotton rag.  It does the job and never interferes with the finish.

   DR

3. 
   forestgirl | May 27, 2005 08:16pm | #7

   PQK, if you want to try making one, here are instructions from Bruce Johnson.  I rarely use them anymore, preferring to wipe with mineral spirits or sometimes Naptha.  Read instructions on any finish you plan to use, as they might specify not to use a tack cloth.

   Take a section of clean cheesecloth, unfold it, and dip it in turpentine.  Wrong it out, then start adding varnish a few drops at a time, working it into the cheesecloth until it becomes sticky.  Re-fold the cheesecloth and store it in a self-sealing sandwich bag.  If it dries out before it becomes to dirty to discard, simply repeat the process.-------Bruce Johnson, The Weekend Refinisher

   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" .... :>) 

1. 
   chuckkeller | May 27, 2005 11:41pm | #10

   Hay! Don't I know you from Fine Cooking?If, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!

2. 
   WillGeorge | May 31, 2005 09:02pm | #13

   Take a section of clean cheesecloth, unfold it, and dip it in turpentine.  Wrong it out, then start adding varnish a few drops at a time, working it into the cheesecloth until it becomes sticky.  Re-fold the cheesecloth and store it in a self-sealing sandwich bag.  If it dries out before it becomes to dirty to discard, simply repeat the process.

    

    THEN throw it away and just use a clean rag with mineral spirits on it!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 01, 2005 01:30am | #14

   Will:  (a) I was responding to a question from someone who wanted to know how (I think I was anyway).     (b) Wouldya please put quotation marks around quotes.  I get soooooooo confused!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" .... :>) 

4. 
   mike4244 | May 27, 2005 10:56pm | #8

   I don't make tack cloths, I buy them.

   mike

5. 
   TomHigby | May 30, 2005 03:23am | #12

   Before ready-made tack rags were available they were made by working a thin oil and varnish into a cloth.  Such cloths must be handled with great care because of their tendency toward spontaneous combustion.  The ready- made rags should state on the wrapper that they are not hazardous.

   tom

2. 
   HowardAcheson | May 27, 2005 06:38pm | #5

   Yup, dampen a rag or paper towel with mineral spirits and wipe away. Homemade or commercial tack rags can deposit more contaminates on the surface than they remove.

   Vacuum first then wipe with the mineral spirits.

   Howie.........
3. 
   WillGeorge | May 27, 2005 06:52pm | #6

   Not fussin' about you using a 'Tack Rag'...

   But I think I have heard in here for some of the finishing experts NOT to use one.. Just brush off the dust and wipe with mineral spirits..

   I vacuume with my shop vac that had a good brush that is only used for this task...

   I also have a really old (now VERY expensive and impossible to find) wall paper smoothing brush that works as good as the vacuume...

    

4. 
   jackplane | May 27, 2005 11:15pm | #9

   Drench rag,or cheesecloth, in thinner. Spray a light coat of polyurethane, enough to give it some stickiness, and you're in business.

    

5. 
   pqken | May 28, 2005 10:31pm | #11

   Hey Chuck, Sorry about taking over your post there...

   pk

   
   

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   Edited 5/28/2005 3:31 pm ET by pqken