A cotton tack cloth for the last wipe before finishing
You can do everything right and still ruin a finish if there’s sanding dust on the surface. The grit gets trapped under the topcoat and you feel every speck. A tack cloth is the last step that stops that.
Wipe the piece down with this 100% cotton tack cloth after sanding and right before you apply your finish. It’s lint and dust free, so it lifts the fine dust off without leaving fibers of its own. When you’re done, store it in the bag so it stays tacky and you can use it again.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tack cloth?
A tack cloth is the last wipe before you lay down a finish. This one is 100% cotton and slightly tacky, so it picks up the fine dust left after sanding and stops that dust from getting trapped under your topcoat. It is the prep step that gives you a clean, dust-free surface.
What is a tack cloth used for?
Use it after sanding and right before you apply your finish. Wipe the piece down and it lifts the fine sanding dust off the surface so you do not feel every speck under the topcoat. It is lint and dust free, so it does not leave fibers of its own behind.
How do you use a tack cloth after sanding?
Wipe the sanded piece down with the tack cloth right before you apply your finish. It is the last step in your prep, lifting the fine dust the sanding leaves so it stays out of the topcoat. The 100% cotton, lint-free cloth does not leave fibers behind.
Are tack cloths reusable?
Yes, this one can be used multiple times. When you are done, store it in the bag so it stays tacky and you can use it again on the next job. It is 100% cotton and lint free, so it keeps lifting fine sanding dust off the surface without leaving fibers of its own behind.
Want to get it right? These hands-on guides from The Craftsman Blog show you how.
Related tutorials
From The Craftsman Blog
How To: Prevent Brush Marks
Brush marks are avoidable, even without a sprayer, and Scott shares six ways to beat them. Clean prep is part of the formula. A tack cloth is the easy way to pull dust before you lay down a coat.