Lint Free Cloths

[Ray Smith]

Hi all,

I have just about completed a Jarrah dinning table, and am in the process of putting the last coats of an oil/wax mix finish on. Currently I'm using old T-Shirts, but have found that tend to leave small fibres in the finish. I have seen "painter's" and "polishing" cloths at the local hardware store, and was wondering what others use as lint free cloths?

BTW, the finish is Sam Maloof's finish which has come up a few times here before. I have used before on a hall table. It really comes up a treat, but is a lot of work. I was thinking about using a random orbital sander with a lambswool polishing pad for the final couple of coats (the linseed, tung and beeswax mix) on the table - its just too big. I have scanned through the archives and seen that heat may be a problem, but I think I can keep an eye on that. Can anyone think of another reason NOT to use the sander?

Cheers.
Ray.

[soundman]

Possible explosion or fire & perhaps electrocution If the sander is electricaly powered.
I can't remember if the finish you are talking about has volitile solvents such as turps or thinners. But if it has anything else other than simple oils you can bet they are there.

The comutation arc form the electric motor possible could ignite fumes from the finish.

If you are sloppy the amount of finish could be considered a wet area, It might not be water but it is probably conductive.

Air powered random orbit would be far far safer.

Call me paranoid but electricity and solvent fumes sounds risky to me.

[Pete]

Soundy,
I work in the paint industry and we are very paraniod about any ignition source and volatile/flammable solvents. Not sure about the level of risk with this finish, but in my experience any risk that can be avoided should.

Cheers,
Peter

[ubeaut]

G'day Ray - Have a look at our SWANSDOWN MOPS they are fantastic, especially the biggest one. They run with the grain of the wood unlike the rotary jobs which put swirls onto the surface. They are much better than orbital and random orbital which in most instances don't have enough positive drive for polishing/buffing.

Cheers - Neil

[Ray Smith]

Thanks for the responses on the sander/polisher. The swansdown mops look great.

Now does anyone have ideas on lint free cloths (this is what I really posted about).

Cheers.
Ray.

[Sarrey]

I'm a woodworker/picture framer (business makes frames from recycled timber). Point is - lint free clothes are critical in glass cleaning for me. Best in business I know are "workhorse rags" made by Kimberley Clark. I think they are a trade only item, but if you contact your local picture framer they may use them and be willing to sell you a few (unless you can find a Kimberley Clark outlet somewhere who may sell direct). They are great on glass. I've not used them on Jarrah (which I use alot) but they may be worth a try.

Remember (as I'm sure you do) that the brittle splintery nature of Jarrah means that no matter how good the cloth, the grain of the timber will almost always grab bits of the cloth.

Matt

[Eastie]

Someone correct me if in the rare chance I'm wrong but unless there is a commercial type of cloth available you may be out of luck.

Although too late for this job it may help if you put down a coat of two of shellac before applying oil/wax on future jobs. This will help seal the grain and prevent the surface from dragging fibres out of your polishing rags/mop.

[Johnno]

Hi - I may be out of line on this, but I think you may find your 'lint free cloths' at automotive paint supply houses. As a long-time builder of model aeroplanes, I often went to my local crash repairer to bum a piece of lint free cloth for getting a high gloss finish on a new model.

[spbookie]

Hi,
You can try Kimwipes (commercial brand of lint free products from Kimberly-Clarke) code 4108 or get a manufactured "glass cloth" from the supermarket.

I have no idea how they would work on adding polish to wood and solving the problem mentioned of the grain grabbing fibres from the cloth.

Charles

[soundman]

Well worn cotton ladies undies can't be beat as pollishing cloths. Well washed of course.
Unfortunately most fashionable ladies underwear don't contain enough cloth to polish much at all even if they were made of cotton.

Consider taking up with a large unfashionable lady.!!!!

[JackoH]

Nothing like a nice piece of flannellet!Pink of course!
Regards John H.

[Rod Smith]

G'day
I use a bannister brush and 100 little psi's.
Cheers
Rod

[Iain]

Soundman, heres a source of what you are looking for www.bikini.com.au
Enjoy

[JackoH]

No pink flannellet though Iain!!!!
Regards John H.

[mat]

The local paint place says that their "cheesecloth" is lint free. Any views?