Are you looking for the best paint brushes for polyurethane? You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner Review, you'll discover:
- What are the different kinds of paintbrushes for polyurethane
- What to look for when buying a paintbrush for painting with polyurethane
- Our top polyurethane paintbrush picks!
And much more!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | Wooster Silver Tip 2 1/2″ Angle Sash
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | Wooster Foam King 1 1/2″ Foam Brush
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best High End
| Best High End | Purdy XL Series 3 1/2″ Pip Enamel / Wall Brush
|
| View on Amazon |
|
| Wooster Brush 4″ Painter’s Choice Polyester
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| Purdy 2″ Ox Hair Series Ox-O Angular Trim Brush
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On May 5, 2023
The Silver Tip 2 1/2" Angle Sash brush by Wooster is an excellent choice for polyurethane.
It's able to apply such a flawless finish when applying varnish or polyurethane because of its ultra-thin filament brush design.
The fully stainless steel ferrule makes for an easy clean up and long-lasting reliability.
Read on to discover the other various brushes that made our top-five and see if you might want to select one or more of these that speak to you particularly.
As you may already know, polyurethane is commonly used as a sealant over an already prepared wooden surface.
This finish that you get with a poly coating gives your furniture, cabinetry, or handrails a luster and sheen while also providing protection against dings, dents, and weather.
This guide will help you select the best paintbrush for applying a polyurethane coating.
Here are some guidelines from the US Government agency OSHA regarding health and safety guidelines when using spray-painted mediums, including polyurethanes, many of which are sprayable.
Similar considerations apply when using a brush, so take heed!
Top 5 Best Paint Brushes For Polyurethane
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 paint brushes! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types of Polyurethane Paint Brushes?
Brushes that are used for professional polyurethane application come in a few different varieties, including natural bristle, synthetic, and foam.
Natural bristle
Like the Purdy Ox-hair brush that we recommend in this review, natural bristle brushes are excellent for applying polyurethane.
These natural bristle brushes are best for applying oil-based polys. Use these for that warm tone poly finish that oil-based materials will provide.
Synthetic bristle
Excellent for a water-based poly, today's synthetic bristle brushes combine excellent long-lasting longevity, paired with consistent application and an affordable price.
As for any woodworking or painting project where brushes are used, a synthetic bristle brush is now the most common form of brush, and arguably the most versatile type as well.
These ensure a smooth finish because of their even brush texture.
While a synthetic bristle brush is great with the various polyurethane wood finishes that you may encounter, they're also a common and fine choice for applying latex-based paints as well.
Foam brush
Your most budget option, a foam brush is generally a great idea for a small poly application project such as varnishing a birdhouse or some drawer pulls.
They're cheap enough to simply throw out after each use so that you'll save even more time that'd otherwise be spent with clean up.
Besides, a foam brush has the flexibility that allows it to get into unique places that other brushes likely wouldn't be able to fit.
Using this sort of applicator, it will be more of a wipe-on technique, similar to what it's like to apply varnish with a rag.
The polyurethane finish will usually even itself out on the first coat as it dries, to where no brush strokes can be seen; that's an effect of a foam brush's even shape.
Read More >> How Do You Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes?
What To Consider When Buying A Paint Brush For Polyurethane
There are two levels of decisions to make when it comes to getting going painting a polyurethane coating.
First, you're selecting the type of polyurethane material. That part we're helping you with right here.
Next, you'll get to the second part.
This is where you'll select the actual brush that you'll be using.
Water-Based Polyurethanes
These are the more obscure variants of polyurethanes that have a water base rather than oil.
They're best for keeping your wood tone from popping and becoming very stark, high-contrast, and glossy.
Traditionally, this gloss appearance was desired, but for a more muted, softer look, these water-based polys keep your wood grain more discrete and subtle.
Oil-Based Polyurethanes
Your traditional medium for polyurethane-based sealants for wood are these, your oil-based polys.
These are known for the effect they have on wood where they cause the wood grain to become very pronounced, high-contrast, and glossy.
Very affordable, it's the go-to choice for most who attack a staining or sealing project with poly.
Read More >> What Are The Top Paint Brush Cleaner?
Our Reviews Of The Best Paint Brushes For Polyurethane
Pick #1: Wooster Silver Tip 2 1/2" Angle Sash
The fine quality of the bristles ensures that they rarely if ever leave any mark that a brush had once been there.
You're sure to achieve an attractive, smooth polyurethane finish using this one particular brush of which so many who are painters speak so highly.
Pros
Cons
Pick #2: Wooster Foam King 1 1/2" Foam Brush
Sometimes you're just looking to slap a quick coat of stain on a birdhouse or some drawer pulls.
That's where a simple foam brush like this Foam King from Wooster comes into play.
You're getting a decent-sized foam brush that can absolutely get into those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in any intricately-carved wood ornament.
Your grip comes in the way of a white, plastic brush handle with a built-in stiffener blade that produces consistent and neat results.
The price point puts it in the right range for those who like to use a brush and throw it right out after.
Get a little lint on it and paint thinner won't get it clean?
Try gently rubbing it with a paper towel first, but if that doesn't work, just throw it out and grab a fresh one. They're that cheap!
Pros
Cons
This XL Series Pip brush is about as pro-level as the market will provide.
Absolutely great for polyurethane finishes, this one keeps brush marks to a minimum.
Its large size as well will help you get more product on per coat of finish applied.
Pros
Cons
At four whopping inches wide, this polyester brush holds poly, paint, shellac, lacquer, or likely whatever else you could think to dip it in.
Definitely select a natural fiber brush like this any time you're painting an oil-based paint or stain, just for speed as natural bristles suck up oil-based material effortlessly.
Pros
Cons
When searching for a brush made from natural bristles, Purdy has an excellent option.
It doesn't get much more natural than ox hair.
Not surprisingly, this makes for an amazing polyurethane application brush.
Unlike other brushes that leave behind some frustrating bubbles, an ox hair brush busts them right up.
An ox-hair brush is also the perfect choice for applying any solvent-based paint.
That said, the Ox Hair Series is not the choice for applying latex paint. In fact, if you try it, you'll destroy the ox hair fibers.
Another fun fact about Purdy brushes is that they're all hand-made, in exactly the same way they were over 85 years ago.
Properly cared for, this ox hair brush from Purdy will endure with you potentially for decades.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Wooster Silver Tip 2 1/2" Angle Sash
The Wooster Silver Tip 2 1/2" Angle Sash takes our overall top pick for the best paintbrush for polyurethane.
Its incredible versatility earned it our overall top pick in the past for both edging in trim and baseboards.
It just happens to be a great choice for painting polyurethane as well.
If you followed our advice on one of these aforementioned reviews and added this Wooster to your collection, then go ahead and dust it off and get ready to start laying down poly.
Check out the lowest price now on Amazon!
Final Thoughts on The Best Paint Brushes For Polyurethane
When you're preparing to finish a wooden surface with polyurethane, make sure that you're ok with the more warm tone that this coating will cause.
If you'd prefer your wood to remain a lighter tone, use a water-based polyurethane sealer, rather than one containing oils.
If you find even the foam brush challenging to fit into the tighter, detailed contours in your wooden refinishing project, consider trying a rag in the place of a brush.
Doing this will apply thin coats compared to brushing, but it does get into the small, hard-to-reach places quite well.
Using Polyurethane as Top Coat Over Existing Paint
While poly sealants are usually used as protective and aesthetic topcoats overexposed natural wood fibers, there are other uses for these inexpensive sealants.
Have a look at this DIY YouTuber whose video walks you through the details on how to use polyurethane as a sealant over a chalk styled matte painted wood armoire.
