A Brush For Every Occasion

One of the most perplexing questions to be answered when preparing for any painting, staining, finishing or refinishing project is “What brush should I choose?”

Brushes range in price from thirty-nine cents for a cheap, foreign foam brush to nearly thirty dollars for a top of the line, tapered natural bristle brush with a contoured hardwood handle.

When is one too little and the other too much?

Lets work our way up the economic ladder.

Foam Brushes – These inexpensive brushes work well for applying an oil-based or water-based stain that will be followed with a wipe-down with a clean cloth. They do not apply an even coat, the blunt edges leave ridges and the foam head deposits air bubbles, so you should never use a foam brush for applying a final coat of any finish. Never use a foam brush with shellac or lacquer-based products, as the solvents will dissolve the foam head. These are considered “disposable,” which means we are only adding to our landfill problem when we use them.

Chip Brushes – These short, stubby natural bristle brushes are also inexpensive, but for a reason: they shed hair faster than my dog in July. The longer you use them, the more bristles they leave in your stain or finish. I would rather use a foam brush for staining and a higher quality bristle brush for varnishing and painting, so really see no need for them. One exception: brushing on paint and varnish remover.

Synthetic Bristle – These are designed for either oil-based or water-based products and can range in price from a couple of dollars to nearly thirty dollars. When using any water-based product, always use a synthetic bristle brush, as the water will cause natural bristles to swell out of shape.

Natural Bristle – As mentioned, use only with oil-based products, as water causes the bristles to swell. The price ranges from a few dollars to nearly thirty dollars, so select your brush accordingly.

How much should you pay?

Use higher quality brushes when applying clear finishes to furniture and woodwork. You can get by with less expensive brushes for exterior painting.

A good brush deserves a good cleaning. The sooner you clean your brush, the easier it will be, so don’t delay.

Cleaning Tip: Never turn a brush upside down to let water run into the ends of the bristles. This only forces the finish deeper into the bristles, where it will lurk until the next time you use your brush.

Good Luck!

- Bruce