Synthetic brushes, usually nylon, are used with water-based products
because water won’t cause the bristles to lose their shape, unlike natural
bristle brushes.
Foam brushes, although technically
not a brush, have become popular
lately. They are basically a sponge
with a handle. Typically foam
brushes are used with water-based
finishes. Oil or solvent-based finishes
will cause the glue used to hold the
sponge to the handle to dissolve.
Foam brushes are cheap and meant to
be disposed of after one or two uses.
Stains
Stains are used when you want to add some color to the wood without
covering up the wood’s grain. Stains come in many different colors. The
same color stain can color one kind of wood a light color and a different
kind of wood a dark color. This is because the way stains color wood is
by getting into the pores of the wood. The bigger and more numerous
the pores the darker the stain is able to color the wood. The smaller the
pores, the less the stain is able to penetrate the wood, so the lighter it
stains.
Stains are oil-based products so they can’t be cleaned up with water.
Have you heard the saying: Oil and water don’t mix? We’ll its true!
Stains that have been put on with brushes need to be cleaned up with
solvents like mineral spirits or turpentine. Buy the low odor kind; it’s
worth the extra money. To clean brushes, pour enough mineral spirits
into a metal can or glass jar to cover the top of the bristles on your brush.
Let it soak a while to get all the stain out between the bristles. Next,
shake the excess solvent out onto some old newspapers or rags. Take the
brushes to a sink and wash it well with soap and water. Stand the brush
on end to allow the excess water to drip out. Stains only color wood;