Dust removal - mineral spirits?

[crokett]

Will dampening a rag with mineral spirits and using it to wipe down a piece to remove sanding dust cause finishing problems later? Water will raise the grain.

[monte]

Not that I am aware of David. I do it all the time and have had no problems at all.

[crokett]

Monte,

Thanks for the reply. My finish sander has a vac attach that helps but it does not get all the dust.

[maxparot]

I was introduced to tack cloths many years ago while refinishing a car. Nothing works better IMHO.

A mineral spirits dampened rag does do a fair job a bit better than the rag is cheesecloth.

[Brian G]

Another advantage of using a mineral spirit-dampened rag is that missed glue splotches will become more visible, especially if you shine a raking light across the joints.

[thestinker]

I didn't know that about the glue. I will need to remember that. Does it matter what kind of finish you will be applying as far as will the mineral spirits interfear with a water based finish, or can it be used for both water and iol based finishes?

[jbalders]

As long as you give it a decent amount of time, it should completely evaporate and not interfere with water-based finishes. I read something recently that recommended not using tack-cloths because they could leave residue behind that would cause finishing problems later. Their alternative was a wipedown with a rag laden with mineral spirits.

I haven't used any water-based finishes to date, so I have no first hand experience with which to make these claims.

Jeff

[tmaceroli]

It's really not that much different than using an oil-based stain and then a water-based finish, which I do all the time. I use mineral spirits to wipe down the piece first, then apply the stain. No waiting, even. You just need to let the stain, or the mineral spirits if you're not staining, dry first. I let stain dry overnight, then make sure I didn't miss any spots before I start the first coat of finish. I also make a last check for glue spots.

[lcm1947]

This post should be a good place to ask this question since it kinda goes along with the topic. Why don't people use air to blow the dust off? Seems this would really get any and all dust off the project.

[Ken Massingale]

This post should be a good place to ask this question since it kinda goes along with the topic. Why don't people use air to blow the dust off? Seems this would really get any and all dust off the project.

Because it just settles back down on the piece you just blew it off of. Along with all the other dust you stir up when blowing it off. I use mineral spirits after the initial sanding and a tack cloth between coats. IMO the fear of a tack cloth causing problems is someones opinion, not fact.

ken

[lcm1947]

Thanks for that reply Ken. Well yeah I kinda thought about that and is the reason why I carry it outside if I can but you are right it could settle back down on the project I can't or won't carry out there. Bummer I'll have to stop that little trick. I am so glad you said that about tack cloths. I only just discovered them and they are the neatest thing since sliced bread. Glad I don't have to stop using them. I mean I'm really glad. See