A client's comment about my stain work made me switch to a different rag type

I was finishing a maple dresser with a gel stain, and the homeowner pointed out that the finish looked a little streaky in the light from their big front window. They said, 'It looks like the stain dried at different rates in patches.' I realized my usual cotton t-shirt rags were leaving tiny fibers and maybe holding too much product unevenly. Now I only use those lint-free blue shop towels for wiping stain, and it's way more consistent. What's your go-to wiping cloth for tricky stains on light woods?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliver_carr2810d ago

My buddy had a similar thing happen on an oak table. He swore by old t-shirts until a customer pointed out tiny fibers caught in the grain. He switched to those disposable shop towels too, and the difference was night and day.

drew_chen10d ago

Ever wonder if @oliver_carr28's buddy tried those blue paper towels for car detailing?

wade14810d ago

Oliver mentioned the tiny fibers in the grain... that was my exact problem. I used to think old t-shirts were the perfect free option. Then I saw those little bits stuck in a pine tabletop after wiping stain, just like a shadow under the finish. It made me switch to the blue shop towels for anything that needs a smooth wipe. The lint-free thing is real.