Micro Mesh on bare wood

[BobRad]

I just got a set of micro mesh large pads 3x4 - and will be using them on bare wood - I've seen suggestions to use water with a drop of detergent. How do I avoid trasnferring dust color from one wood to another? My first use left a distinct residue.

Prior to this I only used mini MM pads on CA finishes only

 

[Nate Davey]

I blow mine out with the air compressor after each use. My buddy puts his in his pants pockets when he washes them and that seems to work as well

 

[Bree]

I don't think there is any way to avoid contaminating the MM pads. You might cut the pad in half and use one half for dark woods and the other half for light woods. I usually wash the pads in warm water and use a toothbrush to scrub em a bit. But there is always some residue as you call it.

The important thing is to have separate pads for your CA. Don't use the wood pads for CA work. I wouldn't use the wood pads on acrylic either. BTW I always cut the 3X4 pads in half. They fit and sand better that way.
:wink::wink::wink:

 

[bradh]

If you wipe the pads on denim it cleans the pads pretty well. Either wear old jeans, or keep a cloth of denim near the lathe.

 

[ThomJ]

I put mine in one of those little delicate fabric bags, throw em in the washer with my work clothes

 

[PaulDoug]

I have the sheets but this will work for pads. I put them in a Glad plastic container with water and a little laundry soap. Put the lid on and shake vigorously, than remove and rinse thoroughly under the tap. Some put a little soap in the water when they are wet sanding. I have tried it and haven't noticed any difference from using plane water.

 

[ldb2000]

Bob , I hope you are not planning on using these wet on bare wood . Bare wood should NEVER be wet sanded , it will create all sorts of finishing problems and could cause the wood to crack as it dries out .

 

[BobRad]

Good point - I used them dry on wood last night - but I use the mini pads with water on acrylic or CA wood and I could easily have made that mistake.

Bob , I hope you are not planning on using these wet on bare wood . Bare wood should NEVER be wet sanded , it will create all sorts of finishing problems and could cause the wood to crack as it dries out .

 

[witz1976]

I never use MM on bare wood. I simply light sand to 600, any higher and you are no longer sanding but polishing the wood. Plus I heard (not proven) that once you sand that high the CA will have nothing to bond to.