Old Dog New Tricks


  #1  
Old 12-12-16, 03:14 PM
czizzi's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 6,541
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
Old Dog New Tricks

As long as I have been remodeling, and staining of trim. I have always used a 2" foam brush to apply the stain and poly. The reason dates back to the television show - The New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abram as the master craftsman. Whenever he finished a project, he always got out a foam brush and started to apply the poly or stain. So, following the craftsman, I always did the same.

I am remodeling a condo in the mountains at a ski resort and refinished all the treads on a staircase up to the loft. Previous owner had left raw oak, unfinished, and it needed to be dressed up. Now, while I had bought a half dozen foam brushes, I found a 2" wooster sash brush in the utility closet that came with the place. So, I decided, what the heck, I'll use it to stain and poly as it did not cost me anything to experiment. Wow, what a difference - stain applied smoother, poly easier to manipulate and caress to a nice finish. How did this elude me for so long? And everything cleaned up nicely with mineral spirits.

Sorry Norm, there is an easier and better way.
 
  #2  
Old 12-12-16, 03:23 PM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,412
Received 786 Upvotes on 689 Posts
That's why I have a hard time watching those home improvement shows, especially when it comes to painting. I started painting long before foam brushes but I did try them and did not like them!
 
  #3  
Old 12-13-16, 07:54 AM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,021
Received 1,231 Upvotes on 1,179 Posts
I was brought up applying stain with a rag and often still do it the same way. No clue why other than history....
 
  #4  
Old 12-13-16, 03:32 PM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,412
Received 786 Upvotes on 689 Posts
I usually apply stain with a brush, occasionally by spraying but rarely with a rag although I always wipe the stain down with a rag after it's been applied.
 
  #5  
Old 12-13-16, 04:41 PM
czizzi's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 6,541
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
I use a rag when I find a "holiday" in the stain that I missed rather than having to dirty something and clean it up just for a dot. Although, the rag takes more stain than is needed and the stain usually ends up on my hands...which need cleaning up.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description: