Tack cloth vs Mineral spirits

[rafezetter]

I've wondered more than once whether using a proper tack cloth after sanding / dusting is better than my normal method of wiping a surface down with mineral spirits just before I hit it with a finish.

I've never used one as I've thought that the mineral spirits will remove any traces of finger grease from the previous sanding and handling, but I also do it when I've worn gloves (adding drying time), so is a tack cloth really good enough as I'm quite finicky about a good finish.

Also has anyone else ever experienced a finish reaction to fingermarks created while wearing latex gloves? I've had it a few times where the finish pulls away from the area and is a pita to fix.

 

[nev]

the only experience i have with finishing is with car bodywork and then we used spirit type wipe and then a tack cloth, so I'd say use both.

 

[Woodfinish Man]

Tak Cloths can leave an oil residue which has been know to react with some wood coatings. All depends on what you're protecting the surface with?

 

[rafezetter]

Tak Cloths can leave an oil residue which has been know to react with some wood coatings. All depends on what you're protecting the surface with?

You see this is exactly the info I needed - my finishes can be oil / water based varnish / paint, or sprayed acrylic, car rattlecan paint, wax or danish oil and variants.

mineral spirits or car panel wipe, once flashed off, leaves no trace of anything far as I've ever experienced so far, but I should mention I've never had a refinish project that had or required a shellac based finish.