As you know by now, staining the surface of the wood will let you improve the color of the exterior. It has the capability of making old and weathered woods look new again. Alongside that, it can also increase the grains' depth, which will make them more visible.
However, you will not be able to get the most out of what staining has to offer without the right equipment. Yes, we are talking about getting the best brush for staining wood.
With one of these, you will be able to make sure that the coatings are even. As a result, the effect that you are going to get will be long lasting. Also, these will make it easier for you to apply the coating on the exterior as well.
Best Overall |
|---|
 |
Best Value |
|---|
 |
Honorable Mention |
|---|
 |
Table of Contents
9 Best Brush for Staining Wood
There is more to a brush other than just the bristles or the hairs. And choosing the one that nails all of the essential factors can be a tedious task, which is why we have selected the ones that we believe are worth the recommendation. They are as follows:
1. Perdura Pro Series Deck Applicator
Being able to properly absorb the coatings is an important factor for the brushes. And Perdura had factored that in when they were manufacturing this one.
To start with, it is capable of absorbing coatings reasonably fast. That means you would not have to soak it in the stain for an extended amount of time to get the bristles wet. This feature is what mostly makes this one of the top-rated brushes in the market.
Aside from just being able to absorb liquid quickly, it can also disperse it relatively fast on the surface. There is a high chance that you will not have to make multiple swings just to get an even coating. And the hairs of the unit are reasonably durable too. They are not going to fall off anytime soon, even if you do use them extensively.
Other than that, the finish that this one is capable of providing will surely amaze you. It is capable of offering a professional level finish. You would not have to call up a professional person just to get a professional level stain on your wooden structures anymore after getting this unit.
Lastly, you will receive a comb with the package. That will allow you to properly maintain the hairs. As a result, they will remain smooth and will not clog that often, which will make sure that you get an even coating every time you use it. And if you're unsure about which stain to go for afterward, check these additional resources.
Pros
Cons
2. Wooster F5116-4 Stainer
Some of the staining tasks might demand wider brushes, while there are many that will require narrower ones. Well, no matter what you require, you will find them both for this unit that Wooster is offering.
To begin with, it comes in three different variants. Depending on the type of your workflow, you will be able to choose the 4 inches or the 4-3/4 inches, or the 5-1/2 inches version. So whether you were looking for something that is wider, narrower or something in the middle, it has got you covered.
Other than the size options, the bristles that each of the versions utilizes are White China bristles. These are known to be exceptionally durable, and Wooster seems to have delivered that durability in this unit. That means the hairs will not fail on you anytime soon, making it ideal for the relatively high demanding staining tasks.
Besides that durability, the finish that the bristles can offer is quite up to the mark. Whether you are working with oil-based or other types of stains, it will be able to disperse them evenly on the surface. As a result, it will be pretty easy for you to get even coatings on the wooden structures' exterior.
And the ferrule of the unit is nickel-plated, which makes it look pretty elegant. Also, the handle is threaded using a bucket clip, which is removable.
Pros
Cons
3. KingOrigin Heavy Duty Professional
For the bristles to hold more of the coating, they have to be thick. And if you were looking for something with thick hair, you should consider this pack that KingOrigin is offering.
First of all, it comes in a pack of four. You are going to receive brushes of different sizes. In the package, you are going to find one four inches, one six inches, one five inches, and lastly, one 1.1 inches wide brushes.
As a result, this pack is one of the most cost-effective ways of getting all of the mostly-used units for your staining needs.
Apart from being just versatile and cost-effective, the poles of each of the units are reasonably long. As a result, you will not struggle to get the last bit of stain from the container. It will also make it easier for you to put pressure on the hairs when you are coating the surface.
On that note, the hairs are reasonably soft. That will enable them to easily absorb the coatings. And it will be pretty easy for you to cover the surface too. They release the liquid reasonably quickly. Alongside, the soft hairs are going to make sure that the coatings are even, which will offer you the best possible staining result.
Other than that, the ferrule is exceptionally durable. That will firmly hold on to the bristles, which means that they would not fall off that quickly.
Pros
Cons
4. Linzer 3121 0400
If you were on the lookout for something that works with all the water-based and oil-based stains, then you can stop your search here because Linzer has got the thing that you were probably looking for all this time.
To start with, it features a medium width. It is no that wide, nor is it that narrow. The width is 4 inches, which makes it sit on the medium size brushes. And because of having a comparatively medium-sized width, you will be able to carry out most of the staining tasks with this pretty easily.
Other than that, the bristles of the unit are China brown hairs. These are soft in nature and have a higher capability of absorption, making them ideal for both water and oil-based stains. So no matter what type of coating you are working with, you will not face difficulties in making it absorb it.
Aside from the soft bristles, the ferrule is reasonably sturdy too. It holds on to the bristles firmly, ensuring that they do not shed off that easily. You can expect it to last for an extensive amount of time. Also, the handle is reasonably long in size. That will enable you to collect and disperse the coatings on the surface easily.
Alongside that, the handle has a hanging hole on the top. That will allow you to easily hang it on your tool cupboard.
Pros
Cons
5. Perdura Pro Series Deck Applicator 5 Inch
The manufacturer Perdura seems to have a load of well-performing applicators to offer to the crowd. And this one that we are going to describe is among the top ones that they have in their lineup.
First of all, the applicator implements soft hairs. As the bristles are soft in nature, they will easily absorb most of the stains. In fact, you might not have to dip them twice, even if you are planning to coat the wooden surface with something thick in viscosity.
Alongside that, the bristles are of high quality as well. And the ferrule that it utilizes is of durable metal, which is going to hold onto them strongly. As a result, it will last for an extended amount of time without showing any signs of shedding.
You will also receive a comb in the package, which will allow you to keep the hairs in good shape.
Besides the bristles, the handle that it implements is reasonably sturdy. It will not break that easily, even if you put too much pressure on it. Also, it has a hanging hole on the top. That hole will make it easier for you to store it when you are not using it.
Lastly, as the width is five inches, you will be able to cover more surfaces in one swing. That will enable you to finish coating tasks quickly.
Pros
Cons
6. Linzer 0600 Project Select Premium
The bristles are one of the most important parts of the brush. And Linzer did not skimp one bit in that regard for this unit that they are offering.
To start with, it implements a blend of two elements for the hairs. One of them is polyester, and the other one is a special bristle filament. Those two make the hair exceptionally durable and long-lasting. That means they would not shed off that easily.
Apart from being durable, the hairs are reasonably soft too. That softness will contribute to the higher capacity to absorb liquid, making it easier for you to apply coatings on the surface.
Even if you are working with a high viscosity, you will not struggle that much in getting the hairs to absorb the liquid.
Other than that, the handle is comparatively large, which will offer you a relatively higher reach in coating the surfaces. And it has a threaded grip that will enable you to attach extension poles if you prefer.
Also, hairs are capable of offering you a consistent coating on the surface. That will allow you to get even coatings pretty quickly.
Lastly, the ferrule that it comes with is of stainless steel. That holds on to the hair firmly and can resist rust and corrosion reasonably well. As a result, the chances of visual imperfections occurring will be pretty slim.
Pros
Cons
7. Wooster Q3211-2 Shortcut Angle Sash
Though having large handles will offer you a higher reach to the surface, you might sometimes need to coat the areas in tight spaces. And in those cases, something with a short and slim handle, like this one from Wooster, is necessary.
As we have mentioned above, the handle that it features measures two inches long. That will enable you to get into tight spaces easily. And it works reasonably long in normal areas too. That means you are not going to need extra brushes for different coating surfaces if you have this.
Even though the handle is reasonably short, you will have no trouble in having a firm grip over it. It features a contoured shape, which is going to embrace your hands. As a result, you will not have any trouble putting pressure on the brush to get your desired type of coating on the surface.
Alongside that, Wooster also implemented a special blend of materials for the hairs. They are of gold polyester and white nylon. That blend makes them exceptionally soft and durable.
Because of being soft, they will not have any trouble in absorbing any paints or stains. Our advice would be to use a good primer for treated wood beforehand for the best results. Anyways, the durability that they have will make sure that the amount of shed is minimal.
Other than that, the ferrule is brass-plated. That plating does not only make it look elegant but also enhances the rust resistance capability of the metal.
Pros
Cons
8. Presa Premium Paint Set
There are plenty of brushes in the market. However, there are only a few that can hold the coating for a long amount of time. And the units of this set are among those few.
First of all, it comes in a set of five. You are going to receive five brushes that are going to be of different shapes and sizes. Because of including that amount of units, it will be pretty easy for you to work with stains of different viscosity at the same time. You will not have to use one for all of them.
Other than that, the sizes of the brushes start from one inch and end at 3 inches. You will get the precision that you would require for coating the small areas accurately with the smallest one. And with the large one, you will be able to finish off your coating tasks in a small amount of time.
Each of the units has hairs that are of SRT filaments. This material is known for being durable and easy to clean. And you will be able to enjoy both of them for this set.
Also, the filaments are capable of holding 30 percent more coating than the regular hairs. That will enable you to finish off your coating tasks faster. And the smooth nature of the hairs will make it easier for you to get an even coating on the surfaces.
Pros
Cons
9. Linzer 3550 Brush-Poly
You might have to get something that has a large-sized handle. And even though this one that we are going to look at does not come with a large pole, you will have the option to attach one if you prefer.
Like we mentioned above, the handle that it comes with has threadings on it. Because of the threadings, you will be able to attach an extended pole if you want to. That will enable you to get a higher reach, which not all of the units out there are capable of providing.
Other than the threading, the hairs of the unit are of a special blend. They are of bristle filament and polyester, which makes them not only durable but also extremely absorbent. You will not have any trouble in wicking them even if you are using a stain that is thick in viscosity.
Aside from that, the width of the unit is five inches. That amount of width will allow you to cover more surface area, which will eventually enable you to finish off your coating tasks in a short amount of time. And you will not have any trouble in cleaning the bristles either. They can be cleaned pretty easily
Alongside that, the ferrule that it comes with is of stainless steel. It has a high capability of resisting rust and corrosion.
Pros
Cons
What to Look for Before You Buy?
It is pretty easy to get baffled by all of the options that the market has to offer. And if you really want to get the most out of the money after putting all that effort cleaning the composite deck of yours, you will have to keep these factors in your mind:
Size
The first thing that you need to factor in is the size. If you want to get your coating tasks done in a small amount of time, you need to shoot for the ones that are wide and large in size.
On the other hand, if you want a maximum amount of precision, then you should opt for the ones that are small and less wide. However, if you are not that sure about this factor, we would recommend getting the medium ones.
The Material of the Bristles
As we have mentioned earlier, the bristles are the most important part of a brush. Different manufacturers are going to utilize different types of material for the hairs. And what you need to make sure of is whether they are durable or not.
If you get something with flimsy hair, you will not be able to carry out coating tasks efficiently. The hairs are going shed off reasonably quickly.
Absorbing Capability
Apart from the material of the bristles, you need to consider the softness of them. Usually, the softer and the smoother the hairs are, the higher the capability of absorbing they will have.
And with something that is highly absorbent, carrying out coating tasks will be pretty effortless for you. You will not have to struggle to wick them with stains when you are trying to coat the wooden surfaces.
Dispersion Capability and the Cleaning Process
Another thing that you need to consider when you are planning to purchase one of these is how well do they disperse the coating. The better the dispersion, the easier it will be for you to get an even coating on the surface. Considering that, we would suggest opting for the ones that can disperse the stains efficiently.
Alongside that, do make sure that the bristles are easy to clean. If you can not properly clean them, the stains are going to dry out on the hairs, which will make them harder to work with for the next coating tasks.
So if you want to use the unit for an extended amount of time, you need to shoot for the ones that are easy to keep clean.
The Handle
Lastly, you need to factor in the handle. For this, you need to make sure that the handle is of durable material, or else it is going to break off pretty easily. And a brush without a handle would be pretty much useless.
Types of Brushes for Staining Wood
The types of brushes will generally depend on the type of bristles that they have. And depending on the bristles, there are two types of them. They are:
Synthetic
Just like it states, the bristles of these types are of synthetic material. That includes the China White hairs that most of the units feature. Most of them will be white in color, while there are many that will be gold.
Nevertheless, these are ideal for water-based stains. Those get absorbed into the hairs pretty easily. However, they do offer good performance for the other type of stains.
Natural
The other type of bristles that the manufacturers are going to natural. These are usually naturally sourced nylon or other natural elements. They are suitable for oil-based stains.
And just like the synthetic ones, these do offer a good amount of performance for the water-based coatings. But they will shine the most when you are going to use oil-based ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a paintbrush to stain the wood?
Usually, most of the stain brushes can be used to coat paint. However, there are only a few paintbrushes that you can use to stain the woods. And this ability will generally depend on the type of bristles that the unit has.
Stains are generally less thick than paints. The units that are specifically for the paints tend to be soft, as in softer stain ones. And if the one you have has a medium amount of softness, you can use it to stain woods.
2. Is it okay to stain over the paint coating?
Yes, you can stain over the paint coating. However, the looks that you are going to get will be unique. You will not be able to get the authentic look that an unpainted surface is going to provide. So if you are okay with the unique look that it will provide, you can coat the paint coating with stain.
3. Is it necessary to seal the wood after staining?
No, it is not necessary to seal the wood after staining. However, if you can, you can apply a topcoat sealing on the wood. That will protect the surface from scratches and other blemishes that might occur in the future. As a result, the looks of the wood will be long lasting.
On that note, you should apply a good wood primer before. And for that we have already provided a full article.
4. Should I clean the brush after using it?
Yes, it is recommended to clean the brush every time you use it. That will keep the hairs in good shape. And if you do not clean it, the hairs are going to clog up, which will make it difficult for you to use it afterward. So you should clean it after each use.
5. Can I attach a different handle on the brush?
That will depend on whether the uni has threading or not. If it does have threading on the handle part, you will be able to attach a different handle on the brush.
Final Words
If you really want to get the best possible staining result, there is really no alternative than to get the best brush for staining wood. And we hope that we were able to make it easier for you to choose one for your coating tasks. Plus, if you ever need help getting rid of the old stains, you can find it here.
