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. Deck Stain Brush Applicator - Deck BOSS by Perdura - 7 inch Paint Brush - Stain Seal and Paint for Floor and Fence - Brush Tool for Water and Oil Based Coatings on Wood and Concrete Rough or Smooth 596 $39 99.
- What Is The Best Brush To Apply Stain
- Best Brush For Applying Stain
- Best Brush For Deck Staining
- Best Paintbrush For Staining Wood Doors
- What Kind Of Paint Brush For Staining Wood
- What Paint Brush To Use For Staining Wood
- What Is The Best Brush To Use For Staining Wood
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.
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.”
What Is The Best Brush To Apply Stain
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.”
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!
Best Brush For Applying Stain
Bruce
When it comes to staining the wood, every painter wishes for a masterwork that lasts longer. Isn’t it? While maintaining an artistic look, all your care is a protective color.
Painting wood adds an improving texture to the color. Thus, your natural wood grains seem more visible. As you step ahead to color your wooden stuff, the task calls for a set of brushes to stain the wood.
It’s just not the bristles that a brush offer. It asks for grip, width, and coverage check too. Going cheap is not wise in all cases. With no fair idea on the fine brushes, you’re sure to fight with your choice.
So, what next? Well, why cut your time balance to do the mere research! We’re here with the best brush for staining wood accompanied by unbiased reviews. Take your call, keeping the quality in mind.
Let’s advance to make your painting more vivid with high-quality brushes!
Top 7 Best Brush for Staining Wood Reviews
1. Best Commercial Deck Stain Brush Applicator – Deck BOSS by Perdura
Earning the best performer title from US deck staining mart professionals, this Deck BOSS by Perdura tops our list. It’s an all-in-one applicator with fast action. Cut your paint coating time to half. Guaranteed!
The brush has a filament length of 3” in its 7” x 2” design. As a result, you draw in an opportunity to load lots of paint in its bristles, stain, oil, or coat larger areas in an instant.
You won’t need to refill many a time. It’s because it can hold a good amount of color, giving better coverage. With a sturdy filament, paint, seal, and stain any rough to smooth surfaces effortlessly.
Work multi-time for its simple clean and reuse design. If the cracks sore your eyes, fill the gaps with one brush application. It’s a handy DIY wood painting tool with water and oil-based coatings.
Pros
- Can load up ample paint at once
- Ensures ultra-fast coating
- Broad coverage with one stroke
- Pain-free to clean and reuse
- Brings a smooth finish with no foams
Cons
- No poles attached
Read Next: The Top Rated Wood Stains
2. EVERSPROUT 1.5-3.5 Foot Goliath Deck Stain Brush & Extension Pole Combo
While buying a wood staining brush, you would want one that holds more and goes a long way. Right? Then this EVERSPROUTGoliath Deck Stain Brush fits your choice.
The brush is ultra-thick, having a size of 7 inches. If you’re dealing with larger areas, it can extend up to 3.5 feet! All you need is to twist it and switch to its 3-step pole extension.
If you stand, you can easily reach up to 8-10 feet with its Aluminum extension. No need to attach a separate pole or use a ladder. Mark that it’s bound to serve long-term use with no bristle shedding.
It comes with a bonus case, a can opener, and a metal comb to clean the bristles. Hence, easy to store. Paint, stain or seal with this amazing brush and also support the green planting!
Pros
- Adjustable pole extension attached
- Ultra-wide bristles for broad coverage
- Highly-absorbent for all paints and stains
- Flexible bristles with no shedding
- Quick to stain at once
- Some find the handle clamps a bit shaky
Read Next: Top Rated Wood Stain Removers
3. Wooster Brush F5116-4 Stainer Wood Staining Brush
Are you in search of a wood staining brush to suit all oil-based stains, sealers, plus wood toners? Wooster ends your search with its high-quality brush. It promises to offer a persistent result with each stroke!
This painting brush comes with a width of 4 inches. You’ll love its white china thick bristles that ensure smooth and even application. For the square construction of the filaments, your paint coverage also turns extensive.
Another unique feature it adds is its threaded wood handle. It carries bucket clips as well. Thus, you get the scope to pull it out at any time for using a pole.
To secure the bristles, you’ll notice the painting tool has a clasp of steel ferrule plated with Nickel. Be it any rugged surface or thick stuff. The brush is always ready to stain uniformly with durable bristles.
Pros
- Movable threaded wood handle
- Covers a large area for a squared structure
- Ensures smooth and even use
- Soaks up more dye at once
- Works for wood conditioning too
Cons
- Not fit for extensions as the handle may unscrew
4. Linzer 3121 0400 Stain Waterproofing Brush- 4 inch
When talking about the best brush to stain woods, Linzer Stain Waterproofing Brush always makes its place. No doubt! It’s easy to use and reasonably priced at the same time.
It’s a polyester staining China-based brush. Apart from staining wooden decks and walls, you can waterproof them too. Being light in weight, you feel no extra force to grip it and paint.
As you give your vigil look at its bristles, you’ll find they are totally polyester in fabric. The bristles are fine and super-smooth. A plus point! As a result, they have the power to hold and absorb colors with ease.
This brush holds a great consistency of the paints when dipped in and ensures they spread evenly all over the surface. 4-inched brush with its color retaining ability can cover any medium-size fence by moving 3-4 strokes.
Pros
- Absorbs good quantity of dye
- Wide enough to ensure full coverage
- Fine bristles for even paint spreading
- Contains a beavertail handle for grip
- Easy to use with movable arm
Cons
- May notice stain splash for its too agile bristles
5. Professional Deck Stain Brush by KingOrigin- 7 Inch Block Brush
If you’re dealing with some large area wood staining work, KingOrigin Deck Stain Brush can definitely help. It’ a big and sturdy fence and stain brush with 1.2 inches of thickness.
As you look deeper, you’re sure to discover the brush has bristles blended with polyester and SRT. For such 70% and 30% blend, the brush can hold more dye than any thin other painting brush.
Thus, you earn an improved speed for your task. Moreover, no paint will fall off the composite filaments. A 7-inched pole extension is provided, attached with screws to the fence brush.
You’ll find it includes a hooking lip too. It mainly serves to attach your brush to the edge of your painting can. Its synthetic fibers give you the scope to use with all-surface paints. However, it’s ideal as a marine brush.
Pros
- Holds more stains with one dip
- Adjustable extension pole attached
- No paint splashing or falling off the brush
- Bristles are soft and easy to clean
- Covers wide areas with speed
Cons
- Some find the bristles a little shorter
6. Linzer 3550 Satin and Stain Block Brush
Were you looking for a block style brush for staining wood? In that case, the Linzer 2550 Block Brush is a must-have for you. Be it any surface; stay assured that the versatile tool works on all!
Why does it claim versatility? Well, the specialty of the brush is its polyester, blended white China bristle. They can blend with all types of paints. Hence, you can stain and waterproof all surfaces.
The bar is a stainless-steel ferrule with a size 5 inches in width, 3.125 inches in trim length, and 1.25 thickness. For the flexibility, the brush offers, you can stain wood with no wrist pain.
It comes with a plastic handle having a threaded grip. Hence, it eases the use of pole extensions. Smooth finish stains on wooden decks, fences, and walls are the final results you achieve with it.
Pros
- Easy to control with no fiber falling off
- Threaded grips on the handle make it easy to hold
- Extension poles to add reachability
- Filaments are sturdy with no bending
- Effective for waterproofing
Cons
- Not ideal for small and detailed wood staining task
7. Presa Premium Paint Brushes Set- 5 Piece
Heavy-duty wood staining jobs don’t rely on a single type of brush. To pop out your paint with precision, you demand a set of premium brushes. The Presa Brush set is here to save your day.
The set consists of 5 brushes in total with different widths. Sizes start from 1 inch to 3 inches with a rise of 0.5 inches. Thus, you earn the benefit to end your staining task with precise, detailed design.
Each of the brushes owns the finest and blended solid round tapered type of fibers. Hence, they earn a large diameter to stain in a flash in all positions. It has a holding capacity of 30% extra than any regular brush. A big crackerjack!
Be it any abrasive exterior. It indeed endures all heavy-duty applications. You’re sure to attain versatility with the brush while painting walls, doors, vases, wood furniture, or fences.
Pros
- Enhances productivity for exterior tasks
- Holds 30% more dye at once
- Smooth finishing with precision
- Versatile with heavy-duty ability
- Five diverse sizes
Cons
- Bristles may split up, leading to a streaky finish
Things to Consider When Buying Brush for Staining Wood
By now, you have encountered all the best brushes in the field of wood staining tasks. Still not ready with your pick? Then it’s time to attend a few features for consideration before you set out for brush purchase.
If you think what they are, don’t. We’ve done this part too for you. Give all the factors a thoughtful vision!
Durability
Who would buy a set of painting brushes that offers inferior stability? Yes, true. So, your number one concern should be to check its reliability. With a robust design, your wood staining tasks turn stress-free.
Type of The Brush
Various type of bush has made its place in the market. It depends on your work type. But we’ve enlisted the most common ones that all desire to use:
White China Bristles
Professionals prefer such types of brushes to gain an outstanding result. Euphoria on sky go live. You can use it for all oil-based paints, polyurethanes, clear coats, and stains. When applied for staining furniture or antiques, a smooth finish comes out each time.
Synthetic Bristles
All artists know that these are a combination of nylon and polyester-type filaments. When worked on staining water-based decks, they offer an incredible look. No hard case to clean using soapy water and reuse.
Firm Bristles
It’s a blemish when you find your bristles are shedding. Firm bristles give the ease to control painting strokes and ample coverage. So, make sure to check the firmness of the fibers to avoid falling off.
Length Adjustment
To increase your reachability, brushes often come with pole extensions. It allows you to adjust the length and paint in comfort. Mark if the pole extensions have the scope to screw and unscrew.
Wide Coverage
A brush that offers the max coverage works best to stain any wood stuff. As a result, you get to paint a large area in less time with a few strokes. No chance of a streaky finish!
Reusability
Picking a brush that works one-time for one project isn’t worth the money. So, it’s better to go for a reliable paintbrush that is easy to clean and reuse. You’re sure to finish big projects with the same brush!
Dealing Surfaces
Indeed, your wood staining job is not restrained to a specific type of surface. So you need to figure out the brush you pick that can deal with all painting surfaces. Be it smooth, rough, or highly abrasive. You need an all-rounder brush!
Paint Holding Capacity
If your paintbrush comes with a larger diameter or width, it can hold more paint with a single dip into the paint can. As a result, your workflow increases, saving your paint quantity too.
Best Brush For Deck Staining
FAQs on Wood Stain Brush
1. Should I use a foam brush or bristle brush to stain woods?
Answer: We recommend using bristle brushes over foam brushes. Well, foam brushes don’t bring out a smooth finish and work on a small area. But a quality bristle type of brush stains any large surface with a better finish.
2. Is it necessary to wipe off the excess wood stains?
Answer: Yes, indeed. It would be best if you wiped it off immediately. If you delay in wiping off the wood stains, the surface will turn too thick and sticky. Moreover, your paint will not dry properly and flake off pretty soon.
3. Which brush type works best for staining wood?
Answer: Your purpose and surface will make the decision. For water-based stains, a brush with synthetic bristles works the best. But when working with oil-based finishing, you better use brushes with natural bristles.
Best Paintbrush For Staining Wood Doors
Final Words
What Kind Of Paint Brush For Staining Wood
When handling any wood staining job, all suffer the same issues. Which brush to use that serves a quality finish in a small time-frame with efficiency? But no more puzzles! By the time you reached the bottom of the article, you’re sure to flick through our detailed reviews.
What Paint Brush To Use For Staining Wood
So, here are part ends making a start to yours. Choose the best brush for staining wood that fits your needs. An all-rounder wood staining brush is waiting for you with superior quality, durability, smooth finish, and broad coverage.
What Is The Best Brush To Use For Staining Wood
Start staining wood right now!