- Tack cloth
Tack cloth is a sticky (or tacky) material used for removing dust from a surface prior to finishing it with
paint ,varnish , or some similar product.Introduction
Tack cloth is typically used in
woodworking , but can be used in other applications as well. Tack cloth works by causing the dust, dirt, and wood particles to stick to the cloth as it is wiped over the surface of the material being cleaned. Tack cloth is sticky enough to pick up the dust, but not so sticky as to leave behind a residue on the material being prepared for finishing. Tack cloths are usually about 12 inches square (25 cm), although the actual size may vary quite a bit. They are typically used after sanding a woodworking project, just before applying the finish.How they're made
Various recipes are used to create a slightly sticky cloth.
* Resin and solvent mixes are used, leaving a resin impregnated cloth
* A little linseed oil & thinner makes an effective long lasting tack cloth prone to spontaneous combustion. Hence these are stored in closed metal containers.
* Thinned varnish is applied and worked in. These cloths are stored in a sealed container to prevent them drying out.
* Other formulae may be used by commercial manufacturersInnovations
A new type of tack cloth has been developed at the
Y-12 nuclear weapons plant. Its purpose was to clean up microscopicberyllium particles that posed a health hazard. The inventor, Ron Simandl, also found he could dry-buff the alloy wheels on his car. "The stubborn brake and road dirt came right off and left the wheels bright and showroom-shiny." [http://www.physorg.com/news92074135.html]References
* [http://www.sawdustmaking.com/Sandpaper/sandpaper.htm Sawdust Making]
* [http://www.artsparx.com/undmat.mater.html#tack Artsparx.com]
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