0000 steel wool okay for Tru-Oil finish?

donutsrule

donutsrule

Joined
Feb 14, 2003
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Or should I be using sandpaper only? I'm at two coats on the latest sword handle, and it always seems like the steel wool takes too much off ... or is it just because I'm only two coats in at the moment and I'm still filling in the really low bits?

I don't know if I have 1000 grit paper, but I'm pretty sure I have a little 2000 somewhere...
 
Interested to see what Steve says here. I use 0000 steel wool on my furniture after the first few coats have gone on. Before that I worry about tiny particles of it getting stuck in the grain, and later, rusting and ruining my finish. Sometimes I go for that effect, but more often I avoid it. It was me I'd be wet sanding with maybe 400 or 600 grit paper between coats. Interested to see what the forum wisdom is though.
 
I've used both steel wool and the 1K-1.5K sandpaper and prefer the steel wool. A lot of people don't like it, because they have had problems with metal bits breaking off and staying in the finish, causing rust spots later. I haven't had that problem, and find that I'm able to get a more uniform abrasion with the wool.

I find that I press a little bit too hard on the wool and have to conciously remind myself that I really am NOT trying to take all of the finish off again.

How may coats are you planning on, DR? Taking a little too much off on the initial few (8-9) doesn't really matter much, if you're expecting to put 15-20 on.
 
I have refinished a shotgun stock and some smith goncalo alves handgun grips with Tru-Oil and used the steel wool with good results. As Aardvark says just don't press too hard. Once it's broken down a bit it seems to work better.

Norm
 
Aardvark said:
How may coats are you planning on, DR? Taking a little too much off on the initial few (8-9) doesn't really matter much, if you're expecting to put 15-20 on.
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Well, my instructor wants his sword back this year!:D
I'm hoping to get enough coats for a somewhat impressive finish, but this isn't the most beautiful of woodgrains to begin with (something light-colored from the Philippines). 3D saatisal it is not.

Right now I'm waiting a full 24 hours between applications and woolings. I hope that's long enough. If I have to go to 15 coats with 48 hours between, he's gonna wonder if I lost the thing. I knew I should have just gone with the boiled linseed.:rolleyes: ;)
 
One old gunstock makers trick is to sand the oil while it's still fluid. That drives some fine wood dust slurry into the pores and fills them quicker. Use 400 grit SiC wet-or-dry paper. Wipe the excess off carefully, and repeat until the surface is 'flat.' That is, no visible unfilled pores. Sunlight speeds up the, drying as the UV accelerates polymerization.
 
The finish is still soaking in a lot at just 2 coats. If you like the steel wool and it doesn't leave little bits in/on the wood, continue to use it. Just press very lightly. You only want to sand off any little "dust bumps" and dull the finish.

I use 1000 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper, dipped in a bowl of water. I pour the water out each night. After the first couple of coats, put the tru-oil on very thin. 24 hours should be long enough between coats if the wood isn't oily. If it's still tacky after 24 hours, warm it up with a hair dryer, and wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Sand or steel wool lightly and put on another coat.

Depending on the porosity of the wood, and how slick I want it, I use 15-20 coats.

Tru-Oil is mostly boiled linseed oil.

Steve

Edit: Bri in Chi's advice is good to. I usually do that with the first coat.
 
Thanks, Bri and Steve, for that 'sanding while oil is wet' tip. Hadn't tried that.

I use a tack cloth after each 'wooling'.
 
I like the wet sanding too. learned that from a high dollar custom stock maker. Works great with tung oil too. The tack cloth is critical, in my experience.

Why so long in between coats with tru oil? I though a couple of hours is enough when wet sanding, then leave it for 24 hours when you need a break.

Would be interested in others with more experience though.

take care,

Tom
 
I've understood that the maroon Scotch-Brite pads are the equivalent to 0000 steel wool and I like it as it doesn't shed little woolies.
 
Yvsa said:
I've understood that the maroon Scotch-Brite pads are the equivalent to 0000 steel wool and I like it as it doesn't shed little woolies.
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Oooh, I think I might have some of those.


Thanks, everyone for the comments so far.:D :cool:
 
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