Use steel wool for a range of surface preparation tasks, from removing paint and rust to polishing for a fine finish.

Extra Coarse Grade 4—Aggressively remove rust and dirt.

Coarse Grade 3—Strip lacquer and paint.

Medium Coarse Grade 2—Remove rust, wax buildup on floors, and paint on moulding; clean glass, brick, rough metal, and stone surfaces.

Medium Grade 1—Clean cast and wrought iron, copper pipes and fittings, and prepare wood for paint.

Medium Fine Grade 0—Clean bare metals, porcelain, and tile as well as remove rust from metal.

Fine Grade 00—Remove old finishes, restore aluminum, and prepare surfaces before painting.

Extra Fine Grade 000—Polish metal, buff cabinets, and remove paint from wood and rust from chrome.

Super Fine Grade 0000—Buff woodwork, lacquer, varnish, and clean precision instruments and tools.