What rag for rubbing finishes?

[lcm1947]

After never having used anything other than brush on poly for a finish I'm thinking about trying some sort of rub on finish, poly if they make such a thing anyway what's the best and cheapest type of rags allowed to use and still get a good finish. I just can't see using expensive rags unless you could wash them and the LOML would kill me if I used the washing machine to wash something like oily rags so they'll have to be disposable and that won't work unless I find something cheap - really cheap. What all do you guys use? Oh yeah, I'm assuming paper towels won't work or would they?

[jziegler]

No, paper towels are no good. But, what I use is almost as cheap. I use cut up old t-shirts. For the most part, they work well. Occasionally, they can leave a few bits of the cotton behind which you have to get off the work. Not too hard though. Also, stores like woodcraft sell boxes of rags for this purpose. Never trued them.

And as a warning, you you are using a oil finish, do yourself a favor and buy nitrile gloves. Latex and vinyl do not hold up to the solvents in poly well at all.

-Jim

[WayneJ]

I do just as Jim does. Old "T" shirts for staining as well as for poly. As far as gloves thats your call. I could never work with gloves on. When your done with the rags , put a match to them..They can start fires.
Wayne

[zootroy]

For wipe on poly, I use Scott "Rags in a Box" from HD or Lowes. They are durable and inexpensive.

[Scottydont]

I do old tshirts too. By the time I am willing to throw them out they are beyond leaving any lint behind in the finish.

As for the gloves I used to be an auto mechanic years ago and I got spoiled on nitrile gloves. Not the cheap kind you get at HD or Lowes. I by them from an indutrial supply. You can get them at auto parts stores. I don't do paint or finishes without them.

Here is a link http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMT4NO=6039654

[lcm1947]

Thanks for the replies. Glad I asked as I was going to try paper towels just to see but looks like that's not good. So rags-in-a-bag works. Great. I happened to already have a whole box and yes they are pretty inexpensive. I'll remember about T-shirts but don't have any old ones at the moment. I didn't think about gloves but good idea I suppose. Are they really necessary for poly? I mean like health reasons or just messey on the hands? Thanks again for the help.

[just4funsies]

You could use Mama's britches. Might not help the finish, but then Mama probably wouldn't wear britches so much...

[drumpriest]

I actually do use paper towels, for the first few coats, the reason? The lint from it gets knocked off between coats, then I move to T-shirt material for the last few coats.

Good paper towels, mind you, not the cheapy kind.

[monte]

I use the Scott rags in the box and old t-shirts too. I always use gloves too when applying finishes.

[scorrpio]

Painters rags from HD work well - they are lint free. Gloves are necessary. Your skin, is not that different from wood. Organic matter, cells, and your fingerprints are pretty much the grain. Pores, nerve endings tiny blood vessels - you don't want them in contact with something designed to penetrate and seal cellular structures.

[lcm1947]

Thanks Scorrpio. No I guess I wouldn't want that stuff on me although I hadn't ever really worried about stuff like that. Course I never used anything on a regular basis either. Appreciate the advice. I'll be using gloves then.

[glencross]

what rag for rubbing finishes?

personally, i get all the rags i need from the local church thrift shop..they usually go for around two bucks for a full garbage bag full.

they contain old t shirts etc etc all washed and ready to use in the workshop!!

cheapest place i know of to get some rags!!

[padboy]

I use old bedsheets cut into small sections;when finished, I toss them into a bucket of water to prevent immediate spontaneous combustion. Later(when I think of it,I toss them in the garbage.)

[onedash]

rags in a box. Havent used a whole box yet. Get my gloves free. My wife is a nurse.....She can go through a whole box in a shift so I guess they have LOTS of gloves.

[linear]

I'm in the old white teeshirt crowd.