Sanding a patchbox

[billd]

After I inlet the patchbox I file and sand right over the top of it to get everything flush, usually down to 320 grit.  I'm left with black dust in the grains of the wood surrounding the brass.  How do you clean up the wood, or am I doing this wrong?  I've tried alcohol and pencil erasers, both work but don't take it all out.

Thanks,
Bill

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

The stain you use should cover any discoloration in the wood.

[T*O*F]

Spray it with cheap carburetor or brake parts cleaner.

[David Rase]

I rub my bare stocks down with lacquer thinner.  I do this periodically during the build to keep them clean.
Dave

[keweenaw]

You can wipe it with some solvent as others have suggested but the truth is if you're going to stain it won't make any real difference.  When you put in silver wire you see a lot of silver in the pores of the wood if you lower the silver to the wood surface.  Pencil erasing will take out some of it but the residual disappears with the stain.

Tom

[billd]

Thanks everyone,
I rely on the stain to cover it up.  Just wondering how some of the pictures I see posted here do show any of the "dirt".

Bill