Selecting the right brush can have a big impact on the quality of your finishing project.
Not all brushes are created equal. You can find cheap, throw-away brushes for less than a dollar or spend over $20 for a high quality brush. The size and shape of the brush will be dictated by your project.
You’ll see the difference in price reflected in the handle, the bristles and the ferrel, the metal band that secures the bristles to the handle. Be sure the ferrel is secure and tug gently on the bristles to be sure it’s snug. If you are going to be using the brush a lot you’ll want a contoured handle that fits your hand. Check that the bristles are soft, pliable and not shedding. In brushes, split ends are good; the tips are split or flagged to help the brush apply a smoother finish.
Most important is matching the bristles to the finish you will be applying.
Paint
For latex paint, polyester or blended nylon/polyester brushes do a great job and are easy to clean. With proper care these durable brushes should provide years of service. For oil based paints, either blended or natural bristle brushes will work well.
Varnish or Lacquer
These finishes are best applied with a “China bristle” brush made with hog hairs from China. These bristles have a natural taper that provides strength while putting more bristles in contact with the surface.
Oil Based Poly
Generally you will want to use natural bristles for solvent-based finishes. They deliver the poly quickly and spread evenly. Never use rollers or foam brushers for poly because they can create bubbles in the finish.
Water Based Poly
For water based finishes you will want to use a brush with synthetic bristles like nylon or polyester. Water causes natural bristles to swell and lose their shape.
Foam brushes make sense for some projects but they have drawbacks. The foam contains air which can leave bubbles in fast drying finishes. Also, they have a blade edge rather than bristles and can leave ridges instead of smoothly spreading the finish. That said, on small jobs where the cleanup will take longer than the application, a foam brush may make sense.
Before you start, bend the bristles of your brush and pull gently on them to be sure there are no loose bristles that could end up in your finish. Then dip the brush in solvent that matches your finish and squeeze the excess out on a paper towel. Coating the bristles will make the finish flow and make the brush easier to clean later.
When you’re done, use the appropriate solvent to clean your brush and then rinse with soap and water. Keeping a top-notch brush in working order only takes only a couple of minutes.
You don’t need to spend a fortune. Buy a quality brush that matches your finish and then be sure to care of it so it will give you years of service.
