What Kind of Rag to Use for Staining?

March 26, 2022

Are you wondering what rag to use when staining? Many woodworkers ask the same question. Here’s a catch. Staining rags can help you apply wood stains fast and precisely. For a woodworker, a cleaner stain application is irresistible. You don’t have to worry about blotching, which normally happens when staining with a brush.

Experts recommend stain rag as the most efficient way of applying a wood stain, not to mention that it is the easiest too. Planning to use water-based stains? Perfect! Use a staining rag. It is highly recommended for fast-drying water-based stains. With a rag, rub off the excess stains before it leaves blemishes on the wood when it dries up.

What are the Best Staining Rags? 

Listed here are the staining rag options that you might want to try for various stain applications. 

Nothing compares to seeing pieces of beautifully stained wood furniture. On the contrary, there is nothing more frustrating than failing to achieve a good result in staining applications. To ensure the right stain, choosing the right staining rag is a necessity. This is the only thing you need to do to achieve the most efficient result without compromising “economy”. 

When you use a cotton rag in staining, you’ll be amazed at how precise the results are. This rag steers you clear from the challenges of dripping and blotching. As a bonus in using staining rags, you don’t have to clean out the spray gun. 

However, not all rags can be utilized for staining. Kindly check on the list of staining rags that experts highly recommend. You might want to try any of these if you want to achieve perfection in staining.  

1) Staining Pads

When applying stains, you can use lint-free knits. Fold these wiping cloths to make pads. Moreover, these pads are liquid-absorbent which helps avoid messy blobs formation on the surface of the wood. To achieve a sleek finish, have a good pad in place. Neatly fold these pads to steer clear from unusual edges.

Staining pads aren’t rags. Rather, they are like a sponge that has a terry cover. Staining pads are best in staining applications in all types of materials. In detail, this material helps you get rid of dripping stains because it is highly absorbent. It holds and releases stain to be able to achieve a smooth, clean, and very consistent finish. It is more incredible to note that staining pads can absorb a huge amount of stain. Therefore, it buys you more energy and time because you don’t have to reload. Isn’t it great not to worry about getting a messy workstation as you do a staining project?

Being absorbent, staining pads seize extra liquid stains. So, re-dipping the pads is unnecessary. If you got woods or sealers to stain, a staining pad is the most suitable applicator to use. It does perfectly with varnishes, polyurethanes, waxes, gel stains, oils, and many other materials. 

The outer layer of the staining pad leaves no fuzz or lint in the finish. But, lints are possible during the cutting process. It is important to eliminate the lints before dipping the pad into the staining canister. 

In addition, staining pads are very budget-friendly. It goes beyond affordable the fact that two staining pads can be used to create twelve to sixteen staining applicators. All you have to do is cut the pads with scissors. 

One of the drawbacks of a staining pad includes the inability to re-use. Once used, you have to buy purchase new pads in bulk. 

Remember that a staining pad that is stain-wet should be handled with care because it is flammable. This same is through with pads that are soaked in solvents and/or linseed oil. They can catch fire when disposed of improperly. So, it is essential to seal the soaked pads or place them in any metal container that is filled with water. Then, carefully disposed of these pads, following the policies and regulations of the local fire department. 

2) Tack Cloth

Being one of the most recommended staining rags, a tack cloth is trusted when it comes to finishing. You’ll certainly be amazed at a blemish-free and smooth finish.

Before staining, tack cloth helps you eliminate dust on the wood surface. Not just that, it also blows off fine particles on it during in-between coats.

It works an awesome job on various surface types. It is reusable and washable. This material is so easy to use

3) White Knit Rag

Are you familiar with a knit rag? It is a soft T-shirt material that is lint-free and absorbent. It is ideal for both cleaning and staining jobs. Aside from the fact that it is pre-washed, its consistent pieces give knit rags extra absorbency. If you look into getting more bang for your buck, go ahead and turn an amber knit into smaller pieces to use more of it. White knit rags are great stain applicators because of their suitability for all surfaces and wood types. 

In detail, knit rags are very absorbent. This material leaves a highly consistent and smooth finish. With this in place, you don’t have to fear getting any lint on the wood surface. They can hold up to any type of staining job. Therefore, it is safe to say that knit rags are impressively durable. 

At this juncture, please allow me to talk about Nabob White Knit Rags. These rags are multipurpose and affordable. Be it used for painting, painting, shoe polishing, dusting, dish wiping, car cleaning, you got all it covered by knit rags.

5) Cheese Cloth

A cheesecloth is 100% cotton. It is bleached white too. This is excellent for all staining jobs. With this material, it becomes less troublesome to cover the surface and fill the wood grain on it. Here is how to use a cheesecloth. First, cut a piece of Cloth approximately one yard long. Next, bunch these pieces up or create a staining pad out of it. Then, wipe the stain on the wood surface. Make sure to wear a pair of gloves when you stain using cheesecloth. 

Furthermore, a cheesecloth is another excellent tool for staining because of its softness and absorbency. It can be bought in seven grades (at least). Did I say grade? Here’s the thing. Grades are characterized by the number of threads of the materials that you want to stain. Feel free to choose from among extra-fine to open weave when you’ve got a cheesecloth with you. 

Still on cheesecloth, it is made of thinner materials. This is the reason why it is better for filling wood stains and covering the surfaces- leaving a perfectly smooth finish on them.

6) Unused Cotton White T-shirt

I must say that this is the most common and traditional stain rag variety. A white-colored shirt is an ideal option for most staining projects. This is often called a “ lint-free rag”. Its color (white) allows you to see the color stains that you are currently working with.

If you don’t have unused tees, you can grab a washed and recycled white tee. Just cut it to a size perfect for wiping or staining. I bet that you are familiar with how a wiper size looks like. You’ll surely be happy about getting six wipers out of one cotton white tee. This one is one big “economic- cut”. This staining material is absorbent, soft, cotton, and white. 

7) Disposable Wipes or Papers

You might have heard of papers and disposable wipes for staining. This is the most famous popular type of material of staining though. Along with rags, these aforementioned materials are highly absorbent. It leaves no trace of lint on the wood surface that you are staining. These are very cost-effective too. Each piece comes in similar sizes, textures, and cuts. 

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How to Apply Stain Efficiently? 

The most cost-efficient method is wiping the stain on through a soaking wet cloth. Look at this stereo cabinet that is built without a back. I don’t have any problem in staining its inside corners.

Just like what I always tell you in most of my articles and columns, wiping a stain unto the wood material is far better than brushing a stain to it. One reason is speed. Wiping can give you a stunningly fast result. It is almost as speedy as spraying. You don’t have to clean the spray gun, that the only difference. Wiping is highly effective in most staining situations except fluting, inside corners, and deep carving.

This does not mean that I am against brushing. Honestly speaking, I really could not understand why people don’t wipe the stain on large surfaces. Others use slow-drying oil-based stains too. 

Specifically, lacquer, water-based, and all other stains that you commonly use in your staining projects dry too fast. This buys you more time to wipe off and brush on the surfaces before it dries up completely.

Staining a Wood with Rug or a Brush: Which is Better?

When it comes to stain application, brushing is known to be the slowest method. When you brush, you waste time. Also, you experience more color blotching problems. Straightforwardly stating, wiping a stain with a rag gives out more efficient results than brushing. Regardless of the kind of stain that you are using (be it water-based or oil-based), wiping is a better idea. 

Come to think of it. Why brush when you can have it done faster with wiping? 

When staining hard-to-reach areas, grab a brush. But, when you stain weathered decks, use a staining pad that is connected to a long handle for easier and faster staining.