Anyone Else still Brushing Polyurethane?

[lardy1]

What are you using for brushes? I'm currently using a Wooster Pro nylon bristle brush and am not unhappy with it. I'm just wondering if I'm in the dark about better options. I use Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane exclusively. Solvent based.

Thanks

 

[Htscheg]

Ive been using the foam brushes and it seems to be working well enough for my needs

 

[tarbellb]

My favorite brush for poly is the $15 HF paint gun...

 

[dcummer]

I've used Purdy 144380430 White Bristle Series Sprig Flat Trim Paint Brush, 3 inch several times and have no complaints, but I'm certainly no expert at this. Same Minwax solvent based polyurethane.

 

[metaldad]

ive poly'd alot of oak trim, doors at my houses.
some finished great, some not.
not a fan of water based
used minmax oil based, gloss, semi, satin.
perdy brushes.
have used foam brushes, meh.
used varathane with poor results.
had a small project. mixed some varathene gloss 75% with 25% spirits, applied with a paper towel
turned out perfect. not going to waste time or resources cleaning a quality brush anymore

 

[GaryM909]

I just refinished all the interior doors in our house. I used Varathane oil based polyurethane satin with a brush. The doors turned out pretty good considering I didn't go crazy sanding them.

 

[ThePostman]

I've made wine racks, matching coffee and end tables, just don't use a chip brush for poly. Staining, use whatever. Do buy some tweezers, because no matter what brush, you're gonna get that stray

 

[MushCreek]

I've never had much luck getting a truly good surface. There's just too much dust or bugs in the air. When I made the maple peninsula top for my kitchen, I finished it with a product called Waterlox, kind of an old-school varnish, I guess. After building up enough coats, it looked good, but had the usual dust in it. I used a cabinet scraper to get it smooth, then buffed it with fine steel wool. It was a lot of work, but came out gorgeous! Satiny smooth. After 60+ years, I finally figured out how to get a furniture-grade finish.

I have a friend that builds really high-dollar guitars. He sands and buffs and polishes until they look like glass. They look like **** when they come out of the spray booth; the magic happens in finishing.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[lardy1]

I've never had much luck getting a truly good surface. There's just too much dust or bugs in the air. When I made the maple peninsula top for my kitchen, I finished it with a product called Waterlox, kind of an old-school varnish, I guess. After building up enough coats, it looked good, but had the usual dust in it. I used a cabinet scraper to get it smooth, then buffed it with fine steel wool. It was a lot of work, but came out gorgeous! Satiny smooth. After 60+ years, I finally figured out how to get a furniture-grade finish.

I have a friend that builds really high-dollar guitars. He sands and buffs and polishes until they look like glass. They look like **** when they come out of the spray booth; the magic happens in finishing.

I'm getting a lot better after years of stagnant, no progress, never getting much better. What you refer to has been my experience. Learning to sand and polish properly without being instructed. Being retired, I can now "play" more with my projects because I have the luxury of time.

I've had terrible experience with foam brushes. I long ago abandoned that and it would take someone I highly regarded to get me to reverse that decision. Pretty much the same way with steel wool, with some exceptions.

By sanding finer and flatter I'm getting a lot better results from a bristle brush. I'm basically wondering if some of you have a specific brand/model that you like. Maybe my Wooster is good enough and I just need to keep refining my technique.

 

[demarpaint]

I use a pure bristle brush for polyurethane if I'm brushing it. They work much better than nylon or any of the man made synthetic bristle brushes for polyurethane.

 

[turbowoodworker]

For satin finish, I've gone to wipe on poly. Very easy. But for high gloss, which I rarely use, I do use a Purdy brush.

 

[orangeblood]

I use a pure bristle brush for polyurethane if I'm brushing it. They work much better than nylon or any of the man made synthetic bristle brushes for polyurethane.

^ +1

 

[strutaeng]

I used to use the foam brushes, but I've discovered that China bristle brushes seems to work better. I've got a Purdy one. I just sainted and clear coated Minwax semi gloss on my stair treads and the finish turned out flawless; looks sprayed. I reduced with maybe 10% mineral spirits +/-. You just have to clean the brush, but it takes about 1/2 to 1 pint of mineral spirits.

More importantly, I think the modern oil polyurethanes have less solvent than before due to VOC regulations and to get faster dry times. Foam brushes used to get me a real nice finish, or so it seemed back in the early 2000s. Hadn't really used much oil poly until recently. Just add a bit more solvent...

No need to spray oil for DIY projects, unless you are doing some really intricate pieces. It flows out really nice.

 

[Prospecter]

I always use a natural china bristle brush for solvent based finishes. I'm not particular about the brand. I stick with Minwax so I don't need to worry about compatibility. If I'd started with another brand, that would be the brand I'd still be using. I stick with satin finishes because they are more forgiving of my lazy prep work.

 

[glend123]

i use a blue disposable shop rag cut up and folded into a 2" square

 

[dogdog]

for me ...Brush only for Polyurethane, cheap chip brush from HF... but will take few coats. and few light sanding in between coats if I wanted it really nice...diluted with paint thinner(I think have to check) for final coat and cut and buff with a mist of water and buffing compound on the final coat.

 

[Jeff]

After an initial spit coat I apply all the urethanes by hand with a soaked washcloth. I use 000 steel wool between coats.

 

[ez-duzit]

Nobody using badger hair brush?

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[toolmiser]

I usually brush, but found that I need to add a little thinner to make it flow better and dry quicker. Yes it means more coats, but it's worth the cost.

 

[Git]

I usually spray but if I have to brush I use a Wooster Foam King