I finally gave up on using a tack cloth before the final coat

For twenty years, I'd wipe down every piece with a tack cloth before applying polyurethane. On a job in Ann Arbor last fall, I tried just using a clean microfiber cloth dampened with mineral spirits. The finish laid down smoother with no little fibers stuck in it. I think the sticky cloths can leave a residue that messes with the flow. Has anyone else moved away from them for final coats?

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reese_nelson5mo ago

Yeah, @johnson.paul, story of my whole shop life right there.

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johnson.paul5mo ago

Twenty years of sticky cloths and you find out they're the problem in Ann Arbor. That's like finding out your favorite tool has been sabotaging you this whole time. What's next, discovering sandpaper makes things rougher?

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elliot_thomas825mo ago

Switched to microfiber rags and a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol. No more residue, and the finish actually dries clear now. Took me six months of ruined projects to figure that one out.

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