Tip #43
Finishing Touches
Part 3 of 6 - Applying A Natural Finish (continued)
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Choosing A Brush

Natural finishes can be applied using a number of different methods, but most of these methods have a single tool in common...the brush. The quality of this brush is extremely important. The better the brush, the better the final finish. Hog and badger bristle brushes are among the best. The bristles of these brushes are naturally split (flagged), allowing you to load-up more finish at one time and letting the finish flow more evenly onto the surface of the wood.

Proper care of these brushes is as important as their quality. Start by soaking your new brushes in a solvent (turpentine, alcohol or linseed oil) for a hour or so, then wrap them in paper and leave them wrapped for a day before using them. When you first dip your brush into the finish, spin it rapidly back-and-forth between the palms of your hands to dislodge any loose bristles (all new brushes have them). Dip it to only one-third of its bristle length and remove any excess by gently tapping it against the can rim. NEVER wipe the bristles across the rim, as this can loosen the bristles.

If you use your brushes often, keep them suspended in solvent. To clean and store them, slosh them in solvent, press out the excess with a smooth piece of wood and repeat. Wipe the brush dry, then wash thoroughly with a good detergent. Rinse, wrap the bristles in paper and hang the brush up, bristles down.

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