Homax Rhodes American Paint Removal Steel Wool Coarse Grade #3 12 Pads and Medium Grade #1 12 Pads Steel Wool Bundle

What’s in the bundle

The Homax steel wool bundle pairs two practical grades—coarse (#3) and medium (#1)—with twelve hand pads of each. That combination hits a sweet spot for surface prep and cleanup jobs where sandpaper or synthetic pads either load up too quickly or can’t quite reach into profiles. Each pad is flexible enough to wrap around moldings, bite into corners, and conform to curved trim, and they’re sized right for one-handed work. I treat them as consumables: fold, tear, and rotate to expose a fresh cutting face as I go.

Build and feel

These pads are classic, oil-free steel wool—not overly greasy out of the package—and the density is consistent across the stack. The #3 feels properly aggressive for knocking back old finishes or roughing up stubborn paint; the #1 lands in that “cuts faster than a kitchen scrub pad” territory without being reckless. Both grades shed, as steel wool does, especially when used dry and with heavy pressure. Expect fine filaments and some dust; I work with gloves and a light mask, and I keep a magnet handy for cleanup.

Durability is adequate for real work. The coarse pads break down faster when you’re scrubbing through gummy finish or pushing hard on flat steel, but folded into thirds they hold together long enough to complete a typical door frame, furniture panel, or set of trim boards. The medium pads last longer on de-glossing and metal-brightening jobs. This isn’t a lifetime supply per pad, but the bundle provides enough pieces that I don’t hesitate to swap out when the bite disappears.

Performance in the shop and on site

• Paint and varnish removal: Pairing the #3 pads with a chemical stripper is where this bundle earns its keep. After letting the stripper do most of the work, I use the coarse wool to scrub away the slurry and to chase softened finish from carvings, bead profiles, and corners. The fibers reach where a scraper can’t, and the coarse cut leaves a uniformly abraded surface that’s easy to sand smooth with a finer grit afterward.

• De-glossing for repaint: The #1 pads are excellent for scuffing existing semi-gloss paint on doors, trim, and cabinets before primer. A quick, even pass removes the sheen and improves adhesion without chewing through to bare wood. I prefer to use them with a bit of liquid deglosser or a mild cleaner; that keeps dust down and extends pad life.

• Metal cleaning and prep: For brightening copper pipe prior to soldering, the #1 pads make short work of oxidation, leaving a clean, active surface. On hand tools and hardware, a little light oil plus a #1 pad removes surface rust without gouging; for heavier scale, the #3 pad speeds the first pass, followed by #1 to refine. The key is to let the oil float the debris and to wipe often.

• Flooring touch-ups: On old linoleum and similar resilient flooring, the medium pads lift embedded grime and scuffs when used with a neutral cleaner. I avoid the coarse pad on floors—it can scratch—but the #1 grade can be very effective with light pressure.

• Trim details and profiles: Around intricate profiles, steel wool’s ability to compress and spring back is an advantage over rigid abrasives. I’ve used the #3 carefully on carved chair legs after stripping; it chases remaining finish in recesses while leaving the raised details intact. Follow with a finer abrasive before topcoating if you’re aiming for a pristine finish.

Where it falls short

• Not for fine finishing: If you’re looking to knock down dust nibs between coats of varnish or to polish to a sheen, #1 and #3 are simply the wrong grades. You’ll want 000 or 0000 for that. This bundle is about cutting power and prep, not final rub-out.

• Water-based finish caution: Steel wool and water don’t play nicely with tannin-rich woods or waterborne coatings. Tiny steel fragments can darken oak and can form rust specks under water-based finishes. If you’re using waterborne products, I switch to synthetic abrasive pads for between-coat work and reserve this steel wool for dry prep tasks or oil-based systems.

• Shedding and brittleness: The coarse grade in particular can break down quickly under heavy pressure. That’s normal, but it demands care. Work with gloves, vacuum often, and mask off areas near electronics or magnets—steel filaments love to travel.

• Outdoor or damp use: Because this is steel, it will rust. I don’t use it for stuffing gaps outdoors, and I don’t leave used pads lying around in a humid shop. For any application that lives with moisture, switch to bronze or copper wool.

Practical tips from use

• Fold, don’t wad: Folding the pad into a flat, compact block gives a more uniform scratch pattern and better control. Wadding tends to shed more and leaves uneven marks.

• Add a lubricant: A little mineral spirits, light oil, or deglosser keeps fibers from loading with debris and reduces airborne dust. Wipe frequently with a clean rag.

• Magnet cleanup: A strong magnet wrapped in a paper towel pulls up stray filaments. Peel off the towel and the debris goes straight to the trash.

• Test first: The #1 pad is still an abrasive. On soft woods, plastics, or glossy laminates, test in an inconspicuous spot to avoid surprise scratches.

• Store dry: Toss the remaining pads in a sealed bag with a desiccant pack. Used pads can go in a labeled jar to keep them from spotting nearby tools.

Value and positioning

As a two-grade set, the Homax steel wool bundle hits a practical range for most surface prep jobs. The #3 covers heavy lifting; the #1 handles general scuffing and metal cleaning. I appreciate not having to overthink grit selection for everyday tasks, and twelve pads per grade gives me enough stock to be generous with replacements. Against synthetic pads, steel wool cuts faster on softened finishes and contoured details; against bronze or copper wool, it’s more budget-friendly but demands dry environments and more attention to cleanup.

I would have liked to see a finer option included, but that would turn this into a different kit. As-is, it’s a straightforward, workmanlike bundle meant for prep, not polish.

Who it’s for

• Painters and refinishers who need to strip, scrub, and de-gloss trim, doors, and furniture before refinishing.
• Plumbers and DIYers who want a quick, effective way to clean copper pipe and fittings.
• Metalworkers and mechanics looking to remove light rust or oxidation with oil and a controllable abrasive.
• Homeowners tackling scuff-sanding and detail cleanup where sandpaper can’t reach.

If your primary need is final finishing, polishing, or between-coat smoothing on modern waterborne finishes, this set isn’t the right fit; you’ll want superfine wool or synthetic micro-abrasives instead.

The bottom line

The Homax steel wool bundle does exactly what a coarse and medium set should: it bites quickly, wraps around details, and prepares stubborn surfaces for the next step. It sheds and it will rust—because it’s steel wool—but with basic precautions it’s a dependable shop staple. I keep both grades on hand, use them hard, and don’t hesitate to toss a spent pad and grab a fresh one.

Recommendation: I recommend this bundle for anyone focused on surface preparation—stripping, de-glossing, and metal cleanup—who works primarily in dry, indoor settings. The two grades cover most prep scenarios without fuss, the pads conform where rigid abrasives fail, and the price-to-utility ratio is strong. Skip it if you need fine finishing media, are working exclusively with water-based coatings on tannin-rich woods, or need rust-proof wool for outdoor or wet applications; otherwise, this is a reliable, no-nonsense addition to the kit.