Brush recommendations for oil varnish?

[amowry]

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Jim Hilburn]

A Maxine Mop.

[P Josey]

Badger hair. Had excellent results with these. I use the 1" brush.( NFI)

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...190,43034&ap=1

[woodwiz]

We make a lot of violins and use our own oil varnish. The varnish guys just use disposable foam brushes, even on very expensive instruments. Works with our varnish system, which yields a very, very thin dry film even after many coats. May not work with yours.

Ox hair would be my second choice, but a lot of it depends on the working characteristics of your varnish.

[Geoff B]

I've gotten away with foam brushes for a while because I just don't want to worry about a $30 brush and clean it and all of that, just not interested. If you end up finding something you like, let us know, I'd be interested to know if I'm missing something important...

[Kent Martin]

International Violin has some nice varnish brushes. I have a couple of their cow hair brushes -- pricey but very nice.

[Kent Martin]

I was going to include a URL:
http://www.internationalviolin.com/S...tegoryCode=182

[Michael Lewis]

Thin the varnish and use a foam brush. Don't bother trying to clean the brush, pitch it out after use as it will retain a faint amount of varnish after a vigorous washing and it will become too stiff to work well.

[Gail Hester]

Exactly as Michael says, that's the way I do it as well. I buy good quality foam brushes by the case. I apply it very thin over the entire mandolin, three coats then sand most of it off and repeat as many times as needed to get that perfect surface for French polishing.

[bmac]

The throwaway foam brush makes a lot of sense...

Quality brushes from an artist supply co. (probably the only place where you can get high quality brushes) are extremely pricey. If you can't find them at your local art supply store then google Pearl Paint for mail order burshes. Get the best quality animal hair oil painting brush you can afford. Brushes called "sable" are probably not sabel but that term is used to describe the fine haired flexible brush you want for varnish. A one inch wide brush would be perfect for mandolins in my opinion.

Genuine sable brushes are incredibly expensive but if you were to need one professionally they would be worth buying. They are a delight to use, if you can afford them and are willing to care for them.

The foam brushes are what you might use to paint the trim on your garage door... but they work.

Bart

[Mario Proulx]

Gail, what's your source for the good quality foam brushes by the case? It's hit or miss up here and whether they will be terrible or good.

[Gail Hester]

I get foam brushes for varnish here, 48 in a box, use and throw away.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...ne=1&page=GRID

[Mike Black]

Not really trying to hijack this thread but it might. What's the advantage of French Polishing on top of a varnish finish? I'm also experimenting with a varnish finish and just buffed it out last night and it looks nice already. Is it just something that was done on the Loars, so it's the standard? Thanks!

[Dale Ludewig]

Advantage to FP over (on top of) varnish? I can't think of any except that some customers desire it for the appearance. It's a nice soft glow but you might get the same depending on the varnish you use.
I also am a believer in the foam brush.

[amowry]

Great, thanks folks! I didn't realize so many use foam brushes for varnish.

[Mario Proulx]

Thanks Gail! Hope they ship north of the 49th

[guitar junkie]

Would the foam brush work with Spirit varnish as well?

I have not seen very good information about using this finish which also seems to be very much a standard finish at least in the violin market...

[Gail Hester]

Would the foam brush work with Spirit varnish as well?

The brushes from Jamestown Distributors have printed on the handle, "not for shellac or lacquer." That statement probably refers to an incompatibility with solvents normally found in prepared finishes. I don’t think alcohol and shellac would be a problem with the foam.

[Dale Ludewig]

No foam brush I know of will hold up to alcohol or lacquer thinner. The brush melts. Always test first.

[Michael Lewis]

I have found that brushing spirit varnish is a very tricky business unless you thin it with turpentine. This allows the varnish to flow and level before it starts to dry. Practice on something before attempting to finish an instrument.

[bmac]

I'm sorry... but I have a vision of Rembrandt standing in front of the Mona Lisa with a foam brush in his hand and a basket of discarded "brushes" at his side. If I were a builder of high end mandolins I think it would hide the foam brushes when a customer came around.... Or not allow the buyer in the workshop. There is something so bizarre about them... I really wish they didn't work.

On second thought... plastic arteries are the only thing keeping me alive... so I guess I should stop complaining.

[Bill Snyder]

Well I can't claim to be a builder of high end mandolins as I have only built a few for myself, but it would probably drive you nuts to see me applying shellac with paper towels.

[fishtownmike]

I agree with the foam brush suggestion. Sometimes it's that simple. I used to think you had to use the best brushes around. I also like that i don't have to worry about hairs falling out and sticking to the varnish. Even happens with the better brushes.

[sunburst]

If I were a builder of high end mandolins I think it would hide the foam brushes when a customer came around.... Or not allow the buyer in the workshop. There is something so bizarre about them... I really wish they didn't work.

A guy I used to work with ran an automobile body shop before venturing into lutherie. He said he kept his "rattle cans" hidden when customers were around.