Replies

1. 
   desertmaster | Oct 17, 2006 07:06am | #1

   Eric,

      This a cheap but efficient way I have used for as long as I can remember. I use 1/2" thick upholstery foam. You can buy a yard of it at an upholstery shop or craft store which will probably last several years.  Cut the foam into strips about 3" wide (or to fit whatever container you are using from) by about 10" long. Bandsaw some  1/4" thick plywood scraps into handles 3"wide X about 6" long.  Double the foam strips and then fold them over the handles and secure with a couple of rubber bands.  Throw away when used. I use this generally with gel varnish or poly/oil blend finishes.    The foam will sometimes start to shred off the applicator after awhile, so discard and replace with a new one.

      And, as if the above wasn't cheap enough:   I use throw away rubber gloves whan finishing.   If the applicator still has some life left in it, and I need to use it for additional coats later, I can grasp the applicator by the wet end with a gloved hand, peel the glove off my hand and onto the applicator, twist the wrist end of the glove around the handle and secure it with a spring clamp to keep it from drying out, for reuse later. 

     Also, the rubber bands I use are free, collected from the newspaper in my driveway every morning.    Also, the finish containers are used tuna cans.  Also, I don't buy the foam, I get it from my brother's shop for free.   I'll close for now before I start to sound cheap.      Gary. 

     

    

1. 
   BG | Oct 17, 2006 01:41pm | #3

   desertmaster,
   Cheap? Naw..this is cheap: I use the foam too, re-cycle the shoulder pads from my wife's dresses, etc. Her mother made clothes and gave us a bag full of shoulder pads which have the foam inside. Also, after you wrap the applicator in the rubber glove...if you put it in a re-cycled ceral bag it's good for a long time. The ceral bags keep stuff fresh beter than anything. Now..that's cheap...lol

1. 
   Cirept | Oct 17, 2006 03:40pm | #4

   Foam sounds good, I actually have some from a chair project not too long ago.  I'm definitely getting lint, not dust.  It's not everywhere but enough to annoying me.

   Thanks for the suggestions,

   Eric 

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 17, 2006 01:41pm | #2

   What you are seeing may not be coming from the applicator, but from the air.  That means you need a cleaner space and need to plan for rubbing out the final finish. 

    

3. 
   Gretchen | Oct 17, 2006 03:41pm | #5

   You can use paper towels that are smooth--not embossed.

   Gretchen
4. 
   pins | Oct 17, 2006 06:34pm | #6

   I posted this in another link:

   I also prefer the look of a wiped-on finish, but the process of wiping
   on many coats wastes a lot of time.

   I also like many thinner coats but I brush on as many slightly thicker coats as I think I need, sanding with 220 or 320 no-load between, and then, if lucky, only have to wipe the final coat w/no more sanding. I use new flannel that has been laundered at least twice. Sometimes a light application of 0000 steel wool, but I avoid it if I can and go straight to rottenstone with 50/50 parafin oil and mineral spirits.

   John

5. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 18, 2006 01:52am | #7

   Have you tried plain old cheese cloth?

   I've also used a lot of "Wypalls" (from Scott), which are heavy duty paper towel type stuff, and seem to throw off less lint than even a well washed t-shirt.

   ********************************************************
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