Best Brush for Shellac
Q:
I’d like to start using shellac to finish the furniture I build. What type of brush is best and how should I care for it?
Graham Parker, Portland, OR
A:
If I had to choose just one brush, it would be a mop brush. The dome-shaped bristles make it great for small areas like legs and drawer fronts; and because mop brushes hold lots of finish, they also work great for larger surfaces. Less-expensive ones are fine for general work, but for laying down fine topcoats on small parts or molding, I’d use a mop brush with bristles made from squirrel or goat hair.
As versatile as mop brushes are, it is also very helpful to have a flat brush for laying down smooth, thin topcoats on large surfaces such as tabletops. I recommend a brush with synthetic bristles made from Taklon. However, they don’t hold much…
Start your 14-day FREE trial to continue reading this story.
Plus, access more than 1,900 in-depth articles and more when you try membership.
Start Your Free Trial NowAlready a member? Log In
Log in or become a member to post a comment.
Sign up Log in