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Application is the key to many varnish and painting jobs excellence. The tools
used are as important as the varnish and paints you choose. If you have any
questions on applications of products or what you should use contact us at service@yachtworks.net
 | Corona - Deck & cabin Brushes
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| Choosing & caring for your brushes
 | A brush's performance depends on its bristles, which carry the liquid finish to a
surface, distribute it evenly, and smooth out the imperfections. The old rule about never
using natural-bristle brushes — meant for oil-based paints — with water-based
formulas still holds; natural bristles soak up the water and go limp. |
| Before dipping a brush in paint, dip it into water (for water-based paints) or paint
thinner (for oil-based paints) to wet the bristles in the ferrule (the metal base) and
prevent paint from building up there. This makes cleanup easier and extends the brush's
life. Spin out the excess; then comb out the bristles with a brush comb |
| Dip the bristles in the paint a bit less than halfway; paint any higher up the brush
won't get onto the surface, and will be harder to clean out. To prevent drips, slap both
sides of the brush against the inside of the bucket. |
| Start each stroke on a dry surface, working back toward any wet edges. Spread full
brushloads evenly, using the sides of the bristles. Then lightly drag the ends across the
wet coating in one direction. This final “tipping off” erases any brush
marks. |
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| Cleaning & Storage
| Clean brushes as soon
as you’re done painting for the day. Use warm, soapy water for water-based finishes;
for other coatings, use the solvent specified on the can. A brush is clean when the water
or solvent runs clear, usually after four rinses. Do not leave a brush to soak — it
may distort the bristles. |
| Spin out excess
cleaner, comb the bristles with a brush comb to straighten them and remove any remaining
paint, and then lay the brush flat on a cloth to dry. Store it in its cardboard keeper or
a piece of folded newspaper to preserve its shape. |
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| Cleaning with Solvents
| Solvents are toxic — wear rubber gloves.
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| For the first rinse of your brush, it's fine to re-use old, dirty solvent. (See below
for directions on saving solvents.) Use about a half-cup, working the solvent through all
the bristles and up into the ferrule, then drain and spin dry.
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| Next, rinse the brush in a half-cup of clean solvent, drain, and spin dry. Do this at
least twice more, reserving the dirty solvent each time in a separate container.
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| Water-based exterior paints need a solvent rinse too; the paint leaves a residue on
bristles that soap and water won't remove. Before the final rinse, run clean paint thinner
through the filaments. Store this solvent separately. |
| To save dirty solvent for reuse, let it sit for about a week and the solids will settle
out, leaving a decantable liquid that's clean enough for second, third, or fourth rinses.
Store the solvent in sealable cans or jars — well labeled — in a cool, safe
place. |
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| Natural Bristles
For oil-based paints and finishes
| White China Bristles
For oil-based paint, stain, varnish, and polyurethane, as well as shellac and lacquer.
Soft bristles yield a smoother finish than a black China brush.
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| Black China Bristle
For oil-based paint, stain, and varnish. |
| Ox-hair/Bristle Blends
The softest natural bristle-best for creating glass smooth finishes with oil enamels and
varnishes. |
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| Synthetic Bristles
For water- and oil-based paints and finishes
| Polyester
Stiffer, less expensive bristle can handle oil and water based paints alike, but requires
a forceful stroke to get the paint onto the surface and tends to leave behind brush marks.
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| Nylon Softer bristles for water-based paints, though a higher-quality version that
works with both water and oil based paints is sold under the trademark Chinex.
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| Nylon/Polyester Blend
Varying stiffness of bristles is appropriate for both water and oil based paints.
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| Quality Bristles
| Solid — synthetic filaments won't deform easily. Bend a filament at the base,
and solid springs back, hollow doesn't. |
| Densely packed bristles that taper to a chisel edge, help with painting straight
lines, cutting in, or tipping off. |
| “Split ends”, or “flags,” hold more paint and spread it more
smoothly. |
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