steel wool question

[smitty10101]

Can someone please enlighten me to the highlighted wording.


Grade 0000 steel wire wool
Grade 0000 steel wire wool is an ultra-fine wool that is perfect for polishing and cleaning delicate surfaces, for example, bronze and copper. You can also use this grade of steel wool with soapy water to polish porcelain, marble and glass without damaging and marking the surface. Grade 0000 is the thinnest grade of wire wool which makes it the best to use on metals. Using a fine, medium or coarse grade on metal will cause scratches and damage to the surface of the material.



Grade 00 steel wire wool
Grade 00 steel wire wool is the finest grade after grade 0000. It should be used to clean, smooth and prepare the wood or metal surfaces before you polish, wax or paint the surface. Using grade 00 steel wire wool with a suitable solvent will provide you with better results. Grade 00 steel wire wool is manufactured out of high-quality steel that is dust and crumble resistant.

from this website:
https://cwatson.co.uk/our-blogs/differe ... -wire-wool

and this website:
https://guitarreviewed.com/posts/6c2e9c ... d737e6d0c/

[Cherryville Chuck]

A typo? Here's a list of the grades. I didn't know there were eight of them. I thought only 4. Remember to never use it with water based stains and varnishes. Any particles stuck in the wood rust. https://steelwooldirect.com/grades-and-applications/

[Stick486]

as they show the listing...

Grade 0000 steel wire wool
Grade 0000 steel wire wool is an ultra-fine wool that is perfect for polishing and cleaning delicate surfaces, .........

Grade 00 steel wire wool
Grade 00 steel wire wool is the finest grade after grade 0000.....

Grade 0000 is listed 1st...
Grade 00 is listed 2nd...
so 00 comes after 0000 in the sequence..
leave it up to the Brits to do the grade listings backwards...

why would you use steel wool anyways???...
it's brittle and any particles left behind that come in contact w/ latex based finishes will rust...
makes a superb fire starter...
.
Steel Wool compared to Sand Paper (Reference only)
MEDIA COARSE TO FINE
Steelwool 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, 000, 0000
Sandpaper 30-40 40-60 60-80 80-120 100-150 150-220 280-320 300-600
Results may vary depending on lubricants and amount of pressure applied.

Typical Steel Wool Fiber Width
Grade 0000, 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
Name Finest, Extra Fine, Fine. Medium Fine, Medium, Medium Coarse, Coarse, Extra Coarse
Inches 0.001 0.0015 0.0018 0.002 0.0025 0.003 0.0035 0.0047
MM 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.09 0.1
Microns 25 35 40 50 60 75 90 100

Typical Stainless Steel Wool Fiber Width
Grade Fine Medium Coarse
Inches 0.0022 0.0031 0.0047
MM 0.04 0.06 0.09
Microns 40 60 90

[smitty10101]

As far as I know it's always been
0000
000
00
0

I've since learned that there are numbers

BUT the question still remains if 0000 (4/0) is the finest ---how can 00 (2/0) be next?
Wouldn't 000 (3/0) be next down the line?

And I didn't read the cited websites as 00(2/0) being next down (coarser)---I read it as 00 being finer than 4/0. Which, to me, would make it like 5/0 (which doesn't exist).

[Stick486]

As far as I know it's always been
0000
000
00
0

it still is...
and according to the way you list the grades 000 come after 0000 and etc...
.

[b][i]STEEL WOOL GRADES.pdf[/i][/b]

[Stick486]

I read it as 00 being finer than 4/0.

you are having a "DUH" moment...
take a breath... have some coffee.. try again...

[smitty10101]

according to the way you list the grades 000 come after 0000

you are having a "DUH" moment...

???????
If 0(1/0) is coarse
00 (2/0) less coarse
000 (3/0) less coarse than 2/0)
000 (4/0) less coarse than 3/0 or the finest of all

Or stated the other way
if 4/0 is the "finest"
3/0 s/b less fine (more coarse)
2/0 s/b less fine than 3/0, or more coarse
1/0 would be the most coarse (of these)
without going into the # ones

then how is 2/0 "finer" than 4/0

It isn't a DUH moment---it's confusing

[Stick486]

hen how is 2/0 "finer" than 4/0
.

NOBODY SAID IT WAS!!!!!!

what you read on the Brit site was the direct answer to a direct question on a blog... the question only asked about the difference between 2/0 and 4/0 and none of the other grades...

[smitty10101]

ok you explained it well enough!!

[Herb Stoops]

I would not have it in the wood shop. the only place I would use it would be in a metal shop , kitchen or in someones shorts that I didn't like.
Herb

[DaninVan]

Or Muay Tai liniment...
https://kombatarts.com/thai-oil-work/
I have it on good authority that you do not want it on your privates!

[sunnybob]

I use OOOO (with oil) if I have any marks on my shotgun that need more than a cloth to remove. OOOO can be used even on chrome parts (like to remove burnt on leather or plastic from motorcycle exhaust pipes. I have used OOOO on wood that has shellac finish between second and third coats to de nib, but the time spent making sure you have removed ALL of the debris is not really worth it.
OOO is good for cleaning copper pipes on soldered joints.
Never used any other size.

[Cherryville Chuck]

You're supposed to be able to take it and mix it with something, tannic acid or ammonia?, and let it sit for days or weeks and then use it to artificially age wood. I have some 4 ought in my shop and very, very rarely use it.

[Stick486]

You're supposed to be able to take it and mix it with something, tannic acid or ammonia?, and let it sit for days or weeks and then use it to artificially age wood. I have some 4 ought in my shop and very, very rarely use it.

to age wood and make it look old, weathered and gray. it's steel wool and white vinegar....

Soak some steel wool in white vinegar for a few hours or a few days - the longer it steeps, the darker the aged effect will be. Fill a jar with steel wool and vinegar, the measurements don't have to be precise... if you use 4/0 it'll break down faster.... you'll need to experiment w/ your soak times of course...
Presto, iron vinegar.... paint it on and let it dry...

If you want an even darker finish, brush on a black tea wash before applying the iron vinegar...
Boil a cup of water and add 2 black tea bags... that's 2 bags per cup of water now... soak them for 5 minutes...
Brush the tea onto the wood... Let it dry...
Now do the iron vinegar on top of the tea wash and let that dry... Yur done and you now have a really old looking board...


or would that be ebonizing wood???...

[b][i]Ebonizing Wood.pdf[/i][/b]

[Stick486]

@smitty10101 ...
so what are you doing w/ the steel wool Smitty????

[smitty10101]

so what are you doing w/ the steel wool

NOTHING!!!
I was "shopping" for a good steel wood to soften a finish. Somewhere (in my brain) during the last month I saw an ad/blurp/comment that "so & so" had the "best 4/0 steel wool" for rubbing a finish. So I went looking for reviews/comments on what steel wool was the "best" & what the cost was over regular 4/0 steel wool. Didn't get past the above-cited websites which brought about my question/confusion.

I THINK I decided to just rub the finish with non-woven nylon pads instead.

BUT____the new hunt will be to locate/buy some straight carnauba wax.
So far all the so-called final finish coats that I've tried are about the same as regular Johnson's paste wax.
I MAY buy some General Finishes stuff this weekend at Rockler seeing as I have a 20% off coupon.

"And the beat goes on"

[Herb Stoops]

This is what I use and it buffs out either by hand or a buffing wheel like a mirror. It is Carnuba and a can will last you a lifetime.
Herb

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lundmark-Wax ... 6/39574403