How best to clean fresh-cut MDF?

[EggZilla]

Hey guys,

Silly question perhaps, but does anyone have any advice about the best way to clean the sawdust off of MDF?

I've just made a new panel box, but it's absolutely covered in that super-fine MDF sawdust, and I really want to get all of that gunk out of there before I paint it, let alone put any electronics inside.

I would just hose it down, but I'm suspicious about just how much water MDF can tolerate before it melts like cardboard, and I'd hate to destroy the box by accident. It came out way better than my meager carpentry skills should have allowed, and I doubt I could do it again!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Eric

[Apollo]

Damp sponge is your best bet, don't get a lot of water on there. Just make sure you clean it in a different place from where you cut it.

[CthulhuLuke]

Your in San Francisco, all you gotta do is pick up a sit-down cabinet off of ebay with no shipping, cause that's where they sell like ALL of those machines.  They're small, easy to J-pac to, have enough space in them to fit a mid-tower pc, rotatable screens usually, and everything about them rules!!
   And as for the MDF sawdust, what you need are some static-cling clothes, I forget what they are called exactly, but they come in a plastic bag with about 10 or so, and they work incredibly well, you just brush them lightly over the surface, and they will attract all the sawdust off of your panel, and into themselves.  Yeah, DONT use water on the mdf, because if any of that gets absorbed by the MDF, your gonna have some mildewy wood, ewwwww.
  You can also try just normal rags, brushing them over the MDF, see how much sawdust you pick up, but the best way is to get the static-cling clothes from a hardware store, just ask them if they have anything like that and they'll tell you what its really called.
      -Chu

[TalkingOctopus]

I just used a normal rag and an old brush.

[JustMichael]

Have you tried blowing it off with compressed air and then using some tack cloth to get any remaining dust?

[Tonz]

I just used a normal rag and an old brush.

Exactly, Keep well away from using any water. Use an old paintbrush to sweep it out of the corners if it's piled up there. You shouldn't need to use anything else.

[pmc]

what you need are some static-cling clothes, I forget what they are called exactly, but they come in a plastic bag with about 10 or so, and they work incredibly well, you just brush them lightly over the surface, and they will attract all the sawdust off of your panel, and into themselves.
  Yeah, DONT use water on the mdf, because if any of that gets absorbed by the MDF, your gonna have some mildewy wood, ewwwww.
  You can also try just normal rags, brushing them over the MDF, see how much sawdust you pick up, but the best way is to get the static-cling clothes from a hardware store, just ask them if they have anything like that and they'll tell you what its really called.

Tack-cloth. It's just a sticky cloth used to remove dust prior to finishing. I use 'em before I stain something. You can make your own too: Use a cotton rag or piece of cheesecloth. Soak it thoroughly in rosin or something else that will stay tacky, like spoiled shellac. Squeeze out the excess.

Personally, I agree that a rag or brush is better suited in this case because it sounds like you have alot of dust.

[ErikRuud]

I use a Shop Vac followed by a dust cloth.

[Wienerdog]

Damp sponge is your best bet, don't get a lot of water on there. Just make sure you clean it in a different place from where you cut it.

lol Apollo.  I was going to make a joke about using water, but you beat me to it.  Stay away from water on wood, or you risk swelling.  Even on the face of the MDF, it is unsealed and SOME moisture is absorbed.

<If Apollo didn't beat me to it>Just dip the piece in water, the dust comes right off.</If Apollo didn't beat me to it>

[unclet]

I take it outside and use my air blower on it.   Blows everything away outside....

[Jakobud]

Okay.... ummm.... are you seriously asking what is the best way to wipe sawdust off a piece of wood?

[Brax]

Pesonally I like to use a live mink..... I'm still nursing the wounds but my MDF is dust free!

[bionicbadger]

Don't use water.  Use a compressor and blow it clean.  Make sure your garage door is open or you take the stuff outside first.

[hyiu]

hold the piece a few inches in front of your mouth...
and blow very hard....
and if some are still gathering in the corner not going away... stick out your tongue and lick it clean...

haa haaa haa.... (sorry..... can't resist....)  

ok... seriously.... take it outside....
and some compress air blow will do....

I would not want to wet MDF myself....