How do you guys clean up the fine dust on your finished projects?

[jc]

Hello, I was finish buffing my bed headboard with some scotch-brite green pads to a matt/satin finish and all is going well.  After that, I used my vac to suck up the fine dust left on the wood surface and thereafter, when I look at the surface in the light, I notice scratches from the brush on the vac!

I've never gotten scratches before.  I conclude the brush must have had some sharp material lodged within.  Anyway, I am hoping to hear how you guys get rid of that final fine sanding dust after all is done.  Also, if you use a brush on a vac, recommendations on any particular brush with softer or non-marring bristles is also appreciated. 

 

[sgryd]

Microfiber rags does a great job. Sometimes it's better to lightly dampen the rag first.
If I want a really clean surface I'll go over it with the air gun together with the microfiber rag. Air gun works really god on sanded non finished surfaces as it picks the dust out of the pores.

This works for me, but I'm a simple hobbyist. Would be interesting to read other answers as well.

Edit:
"Air gun".. isn't that painting equipment? Pardon my English. I mean the handle that sits at the end of the air hose with which you blow air. What's it callled?

 

[erock]

I use tack cloth along with air hose .

Sometimes a vac  with a brush.  But always with a tack cloth.

 

[fritter63]

tack cloth.

 

[leakyroof]

I use a brush from Miele, fits the end of the standard 27mm hose perfectly. I always vacuum the bristles of the brush out after using it to prevent anything getting lodged in there. After that, if needed, a microfiber cloth for the surface after I've vacuumed it.
  I believe this is the Miele part number..  SSP10 or 07132710 depending on where I looked it up.  Listed as Natural Bristle Brush, articulating- They last for years, even with heavy usage

 

[green fever]

Tack cloth is the way to go as others have said ,  they do feel a bit waxey on your skin but they are very good for finshing up.

 

[fritter63]

Tack cloth is the way to go as others have said ,  they do feel a bit waxey on your skin but they are very good for finshing up.

I keep a box of those disposable surgeons gloves on hand (can them in the paint department). You only need to use one to keep the stuff off your hands.

 

[cgmojoco]

Um...tack cloth is very likely to ruin a finish. Air hose puts dust in the air. Vacuum with a brush hose attach and wipe down with rag is my method.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I use a damp cloth with an amonia solution, and then a dry cloth. Works great for removing dust and greasy spots.

If I'm sure the surface doesn't have any dirt on it except the fine dust, then a good dusting with a fine brush will do.

 

[jc]

Um...tack cloth is very likely to ruin a finish. Air hose puts dust in the air.

I agree although honestly, I've never tried a tack cloth before but the thought of using it on my finished surface gets me a little uncomfortable. 

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I think I'm going to try a softer brush (Miele?) on my vac and a microfiber cloth.  Right now my hands are doing the work of the microfiber cloth.  

The amonia solution sounds interesting.  Any idea if it would work on water-based poly?  I use the Target 9000sc. 

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I blow off the fine dust, outdoors with a mask, with compressed air.  Then go over the piece with a rag with some paint thinner.  Not only will the thinner pick up the dust, it will also make any remaining scratches or glue really stand out.  Only takes a few minutes to dry, at least here in the desert...

 

[AlexThePalex]

The amonia solution sounds interesting.  Any idea if it would work on water-based poly?  I use the Target 9000sc.  

I am not familiar with the finish products you use in America. But basically you can use a light (5-10%) amonia solution to clean any surface. If your water-based poly isn't solved by pure water, then the amonia won't do any harm either.

I blow off the fine dust, outdoors with a mask, with compressed air.  Then go over the piece with a rag with some paint thinner.  Not only will the thinner pick up the dust, it will also make any remaining scratches or glue really stand out.  Only takes a few minutes to dry, at least here in the desert...

I use paint thinner a lot too. I mostly use amonia on wood and plastics, and paint thinner on metal. It's a very good cleaning agent, only a shame it's nasty stuff and quite expensive. 

 

[Uffe Kaagaard]

I use a damp cloth with an amonia solution, and then a dry cloth. Works great for removing dust and greasy spots.

Don't use amonia solution on oak. It will darken the wood.

 

[nickao]

I never, ever use tack cloths anymore. Some tack cloths will actually mess up the finish. I just vacuum the wood clean as can be.

 

[jmbfestool]

I use a damp cloth with an amonia solution, and then a dry cloth. Works great for removing dust and greasy spots.

If I'm sure the surface doesn't have any dirt on it except the fine dust, then a good dusting with a fine brush will do.

Amonia?!?    Must be different Amonia I use cus the Amonia I use darkens the wood especially oak.

JMB

 

[zapdafish]

mineral spirits on a paper towel or just an air compressor and blow it off

 

[nickao]

No disrespect meant at all, but doesn't blowing the dust off just move the dust into the air so it settles somewhere , namely back on the project you are working on or worse to float in the air and get into your lungs?

I stopped using a compressor to blow dust around when I got my first Fein vac 15 years ago. Why have Festools that help to create a dustless environment just to blow dust around in the air?

 

[jc]

mineral spirits on a paper towel or just an air compressor and blow it off

I feel like I'm doing my vac a disservice by doing what it is exactly trying to prevent just saying...

 

[jc]

No disrespect meant at all, but doesn't blowing the dust off just move the dust into the air so it settles somewhere , namely back on the project you are working on or worse to float in the air and get into your lungs?

I stopped using a compressor to blow dust around when I got my first Fein vac 15 years ago. Why have Festools that help to create a dustless environment just to blow dust around in the air?

dovetail beat me to it...

 

[leakyroof]

No disrespect meant at all, but doesn't blowing the dust off just move the dust into the air so it settles somewhere , namely back on the project you are working on or worse to float in the air and get into your lungs?

I stopped using a compressor to blow dust around when I got my first Fein vac 15 years ago. Why have Festools that help to create a dustless environment just to blow dust around in the air?

  Jesse DID state outdoors with the compressed air, not indoors.  [smile]