Hey everyone, I'm looking for clarity on using mineral spirits (or white spirit, as we call it in Norway) after sanding a teak wood table top. I keep hearing different things; online sources suggest it's fine to wipe on mineral spirits before applying an oil finish. However, people I've talked to in real life here in Norway seem shocked and warn me against it, claiming that the oil-based nature of white spirits can ruin the freshly sanded wood. Can someone explain why there's such a divide in opinions? Also, do mineral spirits and white spirit have different properties? For reference, I have a specific brand of white spirit that I've been looking at. Thanks!
3 Answers
If you're unsure, just test it out on a scrap piece of wood! This way, you'll see firsthand if it works for you. No teak? Any piece of wood should give you an idea if it’s a smart move or not.
In my experience, wiping down with mineral spirits before finishing is a common practice to clean the wood pores, just make sure it completely evaporates before applying anything else. I think white spirit is pretty similar, but it's definitely best to do some research or a quick test first just to be safe.
Just a heads up, you should avoid applying mineral spirits on freshly stained wood before sealing. It could mess up the stain. It's better used on raw wood.
I often use methylated spirits after sanding when I’m woodturning, and it works well for me! In my experience, white spirit can be tricky and tends to leave some residue, which isn’t ideal.
Great advice! I don’t have any teak scraps, but I can use something else to see how it goes.