Dealing with Dust

Your shop is a dusty place. Every time you move around the shop the dust gets kicked up. This will land on your fresh coat of finish, unless you take steps to reduce the dust in the air.

Sweeping, vacuuming and dusting will only stir up a dust storm. Don't do it!

First, whatever you did today, stop and let the dust settle overnight.

➤ DO NOT run the tablesaw the day you varnish. Table saws are the worst dust creators.

➤ ➤ An hour before you will apply finish, sprinkle water on the floor to keep the dust down, AND mist the air with a plant mist sprayer, to pull the dust out of the air, like a fresh rain.

➤ Vacuum boat surfaces to remove dust. Wipe down wet sanded surfaces with clean water and a sponge, and wipe dry with paper towels.

➤ Go over the dry surface lightly with a tack cloth to pickup any dust you missed.

Sometimes the power sanding gives the boat a big static charge that is a dust magnet. No matter what you do, you can't keep the dust off.

If this happens to you, take heart, the next coat will be static and dust free.

Excerpt from my kayak building instruction book

Rob