Brushes

Woodcare Brushes for Furniture Restoration, Staining and Finishing

Shop woodcare brushes for applying wood dyes, oils, varnishes, paints, adhesives and furniture-finishing products, as well as detailed touch-up work and surface preparation.

Livedale supplies foam applicator brushes, paint and varnish brushes, natural- and synthetic-filament fitch brushes, pencil touch-up brushes, spirit and glue brushes, and four-row wire brushes.

These products may also be described as:

• Furniture-restoration brushes
• Wood-finishing brushes
• Wood-stain brushes
• Varnish brushes
• Paint applicator brushes
• Touch-up and detailing brushes
• Fitch brushes
• Glue and spirit brushes
• Foam finishing brushes

The right brush depends on the coating or material being applied, the size and shape of the surface, the required level of control and the manufacturer’s application instructions.

Shop Furniture and Wood-Finishing Brushes

Foam Applicator Brushes for Paint, Dye, Oil and Varnish

The Foam Applicator Brush for Paint, Wood Dye, Oil, Varnish & Glue is a poly-foam brush designed to carry and spread coatings evenly.

Available widths include:

• 1″
• 2″
• 3″

The absorbent foam holds a useful quantity of coating, while the wedge-shaped chiselled tip provides greater control along edges, corners and detailed areas.

Potential applications include:

• Wood dyes
• Furniture oils
• Varnishes
• Paint
• Glue
• General coatings
• Flat timber surfaces
• Furniture frames
• Panels and mouldings

The 1″ option is suitable for smaller areas and detailed work. The wider 2″ and 3″ versions can cover larger furniture panels and timber surfaces more efficiently.

Foam brushes may be particularly useful when a smooth application is required without loose natural bristles. Check that the foam is compatible with the coating or solvent before use.

Natural-Hair Pencil and Touch-Up Brushes

The Natural-Hair Pencil and Furniture Touch-Up Brush is a small round detailing brush intended for precise restoration and finishing work.

Available sizes include:

• No.1
• No.2
• No.3
• No.4
• No.5
• No.6
• No.7
• No.8
• No.10

The brush has a painted handle, aluminium ferrule and soft natural-hair filling.

It may be used for:

• Furniture touch-up work
• Applying colour to scratches
• Fine paint detailing
• Small stain repairs
• Reaching narrow recesses
• Detailed mouldings
• Carved furniture
• Fine edges and corners
• Localised varnish or polish repairs

Pencil brushes may also be called artist-style touch-up brushes, furniture repair brushes, detail brushes or fine restoration brushes.

Choose a smaller number for very fine detailing and a larger brush where slightly broader coverage is required.

Professional Natural-Bristle Flat Fitch Brushes

The Professional Natural-Bristle Flat Fitch Brush has a flat head filled with natural white bristles and a round wooden handle.

Available sizes include:

• Size 4
• Size 6
• Size 8
• Size 10
• Size 12

Flat fitch brushes are useful for small areas, narrow furniture sections and awkward spaces that are difficult to reach with a standard paintbrush.

Potential applications include:

• Touching up furniture
• Applying finishes within recesses
• Working around mouldings
• Coating narrow rails
• Reaching corners and joints
• Finishing carved details
• Applying suitable stains or coatings
• Restoration and decorative work

The flat profile helps spread the coating across a controlled width, while the smaller head provides greater precision than a conventional broad varnish brush.

Professional Synthetic Round Fitch Brushes

The Professional Synthetic Round Fitch Brush for Furniture Finishing has a round ferrule filled with fine white synthetic filaments and a natural wooden handle.

Available sizes include:

• Size 2
• Size 4
• Size 6
• Size 8
• Size 10
• Size 12

The rounded brush head is useful for controlled application around:

• Turned furniture legs
• Carved timber
• Mouldings
• Joints and corners
• Recessed details
• Narrow furniture rails
• Decorative profiles
• Small restoration areas

The synthetic filaments provide control across a wide range of suitable coating types.

Round fitch brushes may also be described as sash-style detailing brushes, round restoration brushes, furniture-detail brushes or moulding brushes.

Professional Paint and Varnish Brushes

The Professional Furniture Paint and Varnish Brush is available in four practical widths:

• 13mm or ½″
• 25mm or 1″
• 37mm or 1½″
• 50mm or 2″

This range can be used for general painting, varnishing and wood-finishing work where a conventional flat brush is required.

Potential applications include:

• Furniture varnish
• Paint
• Wood stains
• Protective finishes
• Timber panels
• Chair and sofa frames
• Cabinet work
• Doors and larger mouldings
• Restoration and refinishing projects

Choose the 13mm or 25mm brush for narrow rails, detailed components and smaller repairs.

The 37mm and 50mm options provide quicker coverage across broader furniture panels and larger timber areas.

Follow the coating manufacturer’s guidance on application method, compatible brush material, coat thickness and drying times.

Angled Flat Fitch Brushes for Cutting In and Fine Edges

The Natural-Bristle Slant Liner and Angled Flat Fitch Brush has a flat brush head filled with natural white bristles trimmed to an angle.

Available widths include:

• 12mm or ½″
• 19mm or ¾″
• 25mm or 1″

The angled edge makes this brush suitable for cutting in and applying finishes accurately along:

• Furniture edges
• Mouldings
• Corners
• Raised panels
• Decorative lines
• Timber joints
• Narrow rails
• Areas beside contrasting finishes

It may also be described as an angled fitch brush, cutting-in brush, slant liner brush or furniture edging brush.

The natural-bristle construction is useful for controlled finishing work where the brush needs to follow a detailed profile.

Natural-Bristle Spirit and Glue Brushes

The Natural-Bristle Spirit, Paste and Glue Brush is designed for mixing and applying glues and similar workroom materials.

Available sizes include:

• 12mm or ½″
• 20mm or ¾″

The brush has a round dowel handle, aluminium ferrule and natural black bristles formed into a flat head.

Potential uses include:

• Applying furniture glue
• Mixing and spreading pastes
• Adhesive work
• Small timber repairs
• Applying suitable spirit-based materials
• Reaching narrow joints
• Controlled work around furniture frames

The natural materials provide useful resistance when working with compatible chemicals and adhesives.

Spirit brushes may also be called glue brushes, paste brushes, adhesive brushes, workshop utility brushes or French-polishing preparation brushes.

Browse Furniture Adhesives, PVA and Hot-Melt Products for suitable furniture and workroom glues.

Four-Row Wire Brush for Surface Preparation

The Four-Row Wire Brush for Woodcare and Surface Preparation provides a more abrasive brushing option for suitable cleaning and preparation work.

Potential uses include:

• Removing loose surface debris
• Cleaning suitable metal furniture components
• Preparing robust surfaces
• Working around old fixings
• Cleaning tools or workshop components
• Removing loose corrosion from suitable metalwork
• Distressing timber where an appropriate effect is required

Test the wire brush in an inconspicuous area before using it on visible furniture.

Wire bristles may scratch, score or permanently alter:

• Soft timber
• Veneer
• Polished furniture
• Painted finishes
• Lacquered surfaces
• Brass or decorative metalwork

A wire brush should not be used as a general replacement for fine abrasives or wire wool where a controlled furniture finish is required.

Browse Wire Wool, Sanding Pads and Woodcare Abrasives for less aggressive preparation and finishing options.

Choosing the Correct Woodcare Brush

Choose a foam brush where:

• A smooth foam applicator is preferred
• Wood dye, oil, paint, varnish or glue is being applied
• A disposable or economical brush is useful
• Loose brush hairs need to be avoided
• A chiselled foam edge will improve control

Choose a pencil or touch-up brush where:

• Very small areas require treatment
• Scratches or chips are being coloured
• Carved or detailed furniture is being repaired
• Precision is more important than coverage

Choose a flat fitch brush where:

• Narrow flat areas need coating
• A small controlled brush head is required
• Recesses and awkward furniture sections must be reached

Choose a round fitch brush where:

• Turned, carved or curved timber is being finished
• The brush must follow mouldings and contours
• Controlled detailing is required

Choose a slant liner brush where:

• Accurate cutting in is required
• Edges and decorative lines must remain clean
• An angled bristle profile provides better access

Choose a conventional paint or varnish brush where:

• Larger flat areas need covering
• Furniture panels or broad frame sections are being finished
• A choice of brush widths is useful

Choose a spirit brush where:

• Glue, paste or compatible spirit-based materials are being applied
• A small durable workroom brush is required

Choose a wire brush where:

• Robust surface cleaning is necessary
• The substrate can withstand an abrasive wire action
• Loose rust or debris needs removing from suitable metalwork

Brushes for Wood Stains and Dyes

Applying wood stain or dye evenly requires controlled brush loading and consistent application.

Browse Light-Fast Wood Stains for furniture-colouring products.

Before applying a stain:

1. Prepare the timber evenly.
2. Remove sanding dust.
3. Test the colour on scrap timber or a concealed area.
4. Stir or mix the product as directed.
5. Select a suitable brush size.
6. Work with the grain where appropriate.
7. Avoid allowing heavy pools to develop.
8. Blend adjoining sections before they dry.
9. Remove excess product as directed.
10. Allow the correct drying time before applying further finishes.

Touch-up brushes are useful for small repairs, while foam, fitch or conventional finishing brushes can cover larger areas.

Brushes for Paint, Varnish and Lacquer

Different paints, varnishes and lacquers may require different brush materials and application methods.

Browse:

• Woodcare, Stains and Furniture Finishes
• Furniture Lacquers
• Furniture Polishes and Sealers

Before starting:

• Read the product instructions
• Check whether brushing is recommended
• Confirm brush compatibility
• Prepare the surface thoroughly
• Remove dust with a suitable tack cloth
• Avoid overloading the brush
• Apply thin, even coats
• Maintain a wet edge where required
• Allow the specified drying time
• De-nib between coats where appropriate

A wider varnish brush is useful on flat surfaces, while fitch, slant liner and touch-up brushes provide greater control around furniture details.

Preparing Furniture Before Brushing

A professional finish depends on preparation as much as application.

The surface may need:

• Cleaning
• Degreasing
• Stripping
• Filling
• Sanding
• De-nibbing
• Dust removal
• Colour matching
• Sealing or priming

Browse:

• Woodcare Steel Wool and Abrasives
• Woodcare Cloths, Tack Rags and Sundries
• Furniture Fillers, Waxes and Touch-Up Repairs
• Strippers, Thinners and Spirits

Remove dust before applying a finish, as loose particles can become trapped within paint, stain, varnish or lacquer.

Avoiding Brush Marks

To reduce visible brush marks:

• Use a brush suited to the product
• Select an appropriate width
• Keep the bristles clean
• Avoid overloading the brush
• Spread the finish evenly
• Work in the recommended direction
• Do not repeatedly brush material that has started to set
• Maintain a wet edge where required
• Apply the recommended coat thickness
• Follow the stated temperature and drying conditions

Very small brushes can create unnecessary working lines across a large surface, while an oversized brush may be difficult to control around detailed furniture.

Cleaning and Storing Woodcare Brushes

Clean each brush according to the coating or adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.

The correct cleaning method may involve:

• Water
• Soap or detergent
• White spirit
• Methylated spirit
• Cellulose thinners
• Another specified cleaner

Do not assume that one solvent is suitable for every brush or coating.

After cleaning:

1. Remove as much product as possible.
2. Rinse or clean the brush using the recommended material.
3. Reshape the bristles or filaments.
4. Allow the brush to dry thoroughly.
5. Store it away from dust and contamination.
6. Keep different finishing brushes separate where necessary.

Avoid leaving a brush standing on its bristle tips, as this can permanently distort the working edge.

Foam applicators may be treated as disposable where cleaning is impractical or where the coating damages the foam.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

A small amount of stain, dye, lacquer, adhesive or cleaning solvent left within a brush can affect the next product applied.

Professional workshops may benefit from keeping separate brushes for:

• Light stains
• Dark stains
• Clear varnishes
• Paint
• Lacquers
• Adhesives
• Spirit-based products
• Touch-up colours

Label frequently used brushes and store them separately after cleaning.

Use a clean brush whenever colour accuracy or a clear furniture finish is important.

Safe Use of Woodcare Brushes and Finishes

Many wood-finishing products contain solvents or other chemicals that require controlled handling.

Before use:

• Read the product label and safety information
• Ensure suitable ventilation
• Wear appropriate protective equipment
• Keep products away from ignition sources
• Protect surrounding fabric and foam
• Use compatible containers and tools
• Avoid skin and eye contact
• Dispose of contaminated materials safely

Oily cloths and other finishing materials can present a fire risk if stored or discarded incorrectly. Follow the product manufacturer’s disposal guidance.

Do not use a brush with loose bristles, damaged foam, a split handle or an insecure ferrule.

Trade Woodcare and Furniture-Finishing Brushes

Livedale supplies foam brushes, touch-up brushes, fitch brushes, varnish brushes, spirit brushes and wire brushes to professional furniture restorers, upholsterers, cabinet makers, finishers, manufacturers and training workshops throughout the UK.

The range covers:

• Detailed furniture touch-ups
• Wood-stain and dye application
• Paint and varnish work
• Mouldings and carved components
• Cutting in around edges
• Glue and paste application
• Furniture preparation and cleaning

Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Choose the brush according to the coating, surface area, required level of control and manufacturer’s application instructions.