For oil-based stains I use a Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Brush. These brushes are designed to carry a lot of stain from the can to your project, and hold up much better than foam brushes. And unlike foam brushes, these natural bristles brushes can be cleaned.
My friend John asked me to come over and help him with some crown molding he was getting ready to put up in his new family room. He had some beautiful poplar boards milled to match the trim in the rest of his house, and while I would have opted for a stain to highlight the wavy grain, John and Becky (mostly Becky) wanted it painted. “Happy wife, happy life.” So, paint it was.
- Natural bristle brushes can be cleaned and reused for multiple projects, making them one of the best brushes to apply stain. Synthetic bristles are best with 100 percent acrylic and acrylic or oil stains. Unlike natural bristles, they won’t become limp. Synthetic brushes.
- Minwax® Polycrylic® Brush. Synthetic bristle brush specifically designed for application of water-based stains and finishes. Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Brush. Natural bristle brush specifically designed for use with oil-based stains. Minwax® Polyurethane Brush. Natural bristle brush specifically designed for use with oil-based clear finishing products.
- The best staining brushes are expensive, and they get better with age if you know how to take care of them. One of the cardinal rules of brush care is to clean it thoroughly after each use. That's easy to remember when you're painting, but because stains are thin.
- Product Title OUNONA 10pcs Paint Brushes Solid Wood Stain Brushes. Average rating: 0 out of 5 stars, based on 0 reviews. Current Price $28.33 $ 28. To ensure we are able to help you as best we can, please include your reference number: Feedback.
When I arrived, John had the boards laid out on sawhorses in his garage, with newspapers spread out to protect the floor. But then he handed me a two-inch wide foam brush. “John,” I said, “Haven’t you heard? The better the brush, the better the finish.”
Which launched us into a discussion of how to choose the right brush for each project. Some of John and Becky’s trim was going to be stained and sealed with a clear finish, which gave me a chance (while we were working) to explain to John how to pick the best brush when you are staining and finishing. Take a look and see what John learned.
Why Does It Matter?
As I explained to John, a brush is a means of transporting a stain or finish from the can to the wood. When applying the stain, you can use either a rag or a brush. I prefer a brush, as it works better for getting stain into into corners and carvings, but you don’t have to use an expensive one or, for that matter, being excessively neat. That’s because your next step will be to wipe off any excess stain, so your rag will erase any brush marks, runs, drips or bristles left by your brush.
When laying down a smooth coat of clear finish, however, the brush will have a major impact on how it looks when it dries. That’s when picking the right brush really becomes important. And as I said to John, “You wouldn’t use a sledgehammer to drive in a finish nail, so why use a foam brush to try to lay down a smooth coat of finish?”
Foam Brushes.
I must admit, I do occasionally use foam brushes when staining a small project. Their greatest selling point is they are inexpensive.
But when it comes to applying a smooth coat of clear finish, such as polyurethane, a foam brush is not my first choice. Instead of bristles, it has a blade. The blunt sides leave two parallel ridges of finish, like a snowplow on the highway. Also, the foam head contains air, which can leave bubbles in your finish.
And if you use it for very long, the foam head begins to wear out and get floppy. It will even start to dissolve as you are brushing on stains and finishes containing mineral spirits or lacquer thinner.
Oil-Based Stains and Finishes.
Oil-based products contain mineral spirits, and for them I reach for a natural bristle brush.
For oil-based stains I use a Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Brush. These brushes are designed to carry a lot of stain from the can to your project, and hold up much better than foam brushes.
And unlike foam brushes, these natural bristles brushes can be cleaned with ordinary mineral spirits (paint thinner) and re-used indefinitely.
Much better than tossing dozens of foam brushes a year into the garbage can!
Water-Based Stains and Finishes.
Unlike mineral spirits, water causes natural bristles to swell. As they do, they loose their shape. Rather than use a natural bristle brush with water-based stains and clear finishes and watch it swell out of shape (top brush), I use a synthetic bristle brush, such as Minwax® Polycrylic® Brush (bottom brush). These bristles won’t absorb water and won’t lose their shape.
And clean-up is a breeze with soap and water.
Quick Tip: After cleaning, wrap the damp bristles in a paper towel, then secure with a rubber band. Once the bristles are dry, slip your brush back into its cardboard sleeve to maintain their shape.
Use the hole in the end of the handle to hang your brush to dry with the bristles pointing down, letting any remnants of stain or finish escape before hardening.
Good, Better, Best.
As I told John, not all brushes are created equal. They can range in price from less than a dollar to more than twenty dollars. You can spot the difference in three areas: the handle, the bristles, and the ferrel, which holds the bristles to the handle.
Handle – If you used a brush every day to make a living, you would want a contoured handle. Most of us are perfectly content with a standard handle that costs less to make.
Ferrel – Check the metal band holding the bristles to the handle to make sure it is secure. Tug gently on the bristles to see if the ferrel has a firm grasp on them.
Bristles – These should be soft and pliable.
In this photo, the foam brush at the top rates a “Good,” the bristle brush in the middle is a “Better,” and the professional brush at the bottom rates a “Best.” Animation wallpaper maker download.
It Takes All Three.
Just as you have different sizes and types of screwdrivers in your workshop, odds are you will need all three types of brushes: foam, natural bristle, and synthetic bristle. You will also want to have them in different widths to fit the different size of cans of stains and clear finishes. The best time to buy them is before you need them, so pick out a selection of types and sizes, store them in a drawer to keep the dirt and dust off them, and clean them after each use. The reward for your efforts will be a stain and a finish that is as smooth as any professional could have achieved.
Good Luck!
Bruce
What kind of rag to use for staining? This is a question that a lot of woodworkers like you often ask.
The goose girl. A staining rag makes your wood stain applications precise, faster, cleaner, not to mention that you never have to worry about blotching that commonly happens when you stain with a brush.
In fact, most experts will tell you that the easiest and most efficient way to apply wood stain is by using a stain rag.
Using a staining rag is especially advisable if you’re using a water-based stain which is fast-drying.
You’ll want to wipe off the excess stain with a rag before it dries up and leaves behind blotchy wood.
Is it Better to Stain Wood with a Brush or Rag?
Brushing is the slowest method of applying stain. You’re more likely to waste time, not to mention encounter color blotching problems.
Basically, it’s much more efficient to wipe stain than to brush it.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re using an oil-based stain which dries slowly or a water-based stain which is fast-drying.
So why brush the stain while it’s so much faster to wipe it?
NB: You can use a brush to get the stain into difficult to reach areas like corners. However, if staining a weathered deck, you might want to consider using a staining pad attached on a long handle. It’s faster and easier.
What Kind of Rag to Use for Staining?
Not every rag can be used for staining. Here are some of the best rags I would recommend you to use for the most perfect staining job.
1.Tack Cloth-Best Cloth for Staining Wood
A tack cloth is one of the best staining rags to use for staining or even putting the final touches in order to keep your surfaces dust and particle-free.
I would recommend the Bond Crystal Brand Premium Tack Cloths for the following reasons;
- They ensure a smooth, blemish-free finish
- They help remove dust and fine particles on a surface before beginning your staining job and in between coats
- They work great for different types of surfaces
- These tack cloths are washable and reusable
- Extremely easy to use
- Affordable
2.Staining Pad-Best Staining Pad
A staining pad is not exactly a rag but this sponge with a terry cover does an excellent job in stain applications.
A staining pad is quite absorbent which prevents the stain from dripping and creating a mess.
It also holds excess liquid stain so you won’t have to keep redipping it in your stain container.
I would recommend the Trimaco 10102 SuperTuff Sponge 2 Pack Staining Pad. It’s an ideal applicator pad for all types of wood stains and sealers.
I recommend it because;
- It’s a perfect applicator pad for wood stains, sealers, polyurethanes, varnishes, oils, waxes, gel stains, and more
- It works on any wood surface
- It’s highly absorbent- it absorbs, holds, and releases stain to provide a clean, smooth, and consistent finish
- Since it absorbs a large amount of stain, it saves you time and energy by reducing re-loading
- The pad’s outer layer does not leave any lint or fuzz in your stain finish. However, the cutting process may create some lint. Be sure to remove the lint before dipping it into the stain canister
- Budget-friendly-The pads are not only affordable, but are also money-saving as 2 pads can be cut with scissors to make 12-16 applicators
What I Don’t Like About These Staining Pads
- They are not reusable, which is a bummer. You might want to purchase them in bulk
3.White Knit Rags
While Knit Rags with soft tshirt material that is extremely absorbent and lint-free.
This makes the knit rags not only ideal for staining jobs, but also for surface cleaning tasks.
If you’ve opted for white knit rags for your staining job, I would recommend you choose the Nabob Premium White T-Shirt Knit Rags.
Why do I recommend these knit rags? Here are some of the reasons why these Nabob Knit Rags are the best staining rags;
- They make excellent stain applicators
- They are suitable for all types of wood surfaces
- The knit rags are highly absorbent
- The knit rags leave behind a smooth, consistent finish and do not leave behind any lint
- The white knit rags are quite strong and durable and will hold up to all your staining jobs
- The knit rags do not leave behind any color blotches
- The Nabob White Knit Rags are multipurpose- they can be used for paining, staining, shoe polishing, dish wiping, dusting, car cleaning, and more
- The knit rags are affordable
How Much Do these White Knit Rags Cost? Merge gmail and icloud contacts.
The Nabo White Knit Rags are quite affordable. You can check the current price here on Amazon.
4.CheeseCloth
Cheesecloth is great for staining as its soft and absorbent.
The cheesecloth material is also thinner, which makes it easier to fill your wood stain and cover your surfaces much better while ensuring a smooth finish.
I would recommend the Regency Wraps Rege Natural Ultra Fine Cheesecloth.
These Regency Wraps Cheesecloths are one of the most popular cheese cloths on Amazon not just for food applications, but for other purposes like;
- They are 100% cotton, which makes them soft and absorbent
- They are lint-free- using them for staining will ensure a smooth and consistent finish
- Ideal for other woodworking tasks like furniture refinishing
- Ideal for car detailing, windows and mirrors cleaning
How Much Do Regency Wraps Cheesecloth Cost?
The Regency Wraps Cheesecloths are generally affordable. Click here to view its current price on Amazon.
Best Brush for Staining
Since a staining rag or pad won’t be able to reach those hard-to-reach areas like corners and other recessed areas, you can use a staining brush.
The Pro Grade – Paint/Staining Brushes are some of the most popular staining brushes. They are multipurpose which means you can use them for painting tasks as well.
You can choose your desired pack as each pack contains a specific number of brushes.
What Is The Best Brush To Use For Staining Wood
Click here to check out the Pro Grade Painting/Staining Brushes on Amazon.
What Kind of Rag for Staining- Bottom Line
Using a brush for staining jobs is without a doubt less messy than using a staining rag which causes dripping.
However, you might never achieve the highest level of perfection with a brush as you would with a staining rag.
Besides perfection, it’s common knowledge that staining rags make the job faster and easier.
Best Paintbrush For Staining Wood Doors
So go ahead and create the most beautiful finish with any of these staining rags.