International Institute of Care to Buildings

Steelwool is produced in many different forms to better suit many types of applications. Steelwool is available in 8 different levels of abrasiveness or “Grades”. The grade is determined by the thickness of the wire of which the wool is made of. We control the wire thickness when shaving the wool from rod by selecting the right type of serrated tools. The more serrations on a tool will yield a finer wire or shaving, while less serrations will yield a coarser wire or steel wool.

GRADE	NAME	USAGE TIPS
0000	Finest	For buffing and cleaning. Buffs woodwork, shellac, lacquer and varnish (use with wax or oil.) Cleans windows without water or cleaners. Remove rust from chrome with kerosene.
000	Extra Fine	For buffing,polishing, and removing. Buffs cabinetry and new wax finishes. polishes stainless steel, aluminum, copper,brass and zinc. Removes minor burns from wood and leather. Removes paint drips and splatters.
00	Fine	For buffing,cleaning, cutting, and removing. Buffs final finish on painted trim. Cleans golf clubs, screens and frames. Removes old finishes from antiques (use with finish remover).
0	Medium-Fine	For cleaning and removing.Cleans barbecue grills,aluminum, copper, brass, zinc and other metals. Removes rust from metal tools (use with light oil for best results). Great for copper pipecleaning before soldering.
1	Medium	For cleaning and preparing. Cleans linoleum, rubber asphalt, and other resilient floors, automobile white side walls. Prepares wood for the first coat of paint and smooths raised grain.
2	Medium-Coarse	For cleaning and removing. Cleans glass brick, rough metals or stone surfaces. Removes rust and dirt from garden tools and machinery, scuff marks and old wax from floors. Removes varnish from antiques with varnish remover.
3	Coarse	For removing. Removes old paint and varnish also can be used to clean glass block and restoring exterior woodwork. Also used to stuff holes to block rodents.
4	Extra-Coarse	For cleaning and removing. Removes the toughest rust, dirt, old paint and varnish. Can be used for cleaning engines. Not recommended for high gloss surfaces or delicate finishes.