Oil-based products contain mineral spirits, and for them I reach for a natural bristle brush. For oil-based stains I use a
Yup - same as Tom, use foam brushes with oil based poly. Makes for an easy cleanup!
In general, use a synthetic bristle brush for water-based stains and finishes, and use a natural bristle brush for oil-based stains and finishes.
Use a Foam Brush for Corners and Large Projects For corners, nooks, crevices, or any other hard to reach spots, use a foam brush to apply the stain first. Then, wipe off the excess with a lint free rag. Foam brushes are great for nooks and crannies because of their angled tips.
PAINT ROLLERS
If you go this route, choose a natural fiber for oil-based stains, like lambswool, and synthetic fibers like polyester or foam for water-based or hybrid stains.
Apply oil-based stains with a paintbrush or clean rag. Apply water-based stains with a foam brush or synthetic bristle brush. For deep grain woods, work the stain into the grain by working in a circular motion. Otherwise, apply the stain evenly in the direction of the wood grain.
Aside from the convenience and ease of use, using a foam roller for staining wooden floors offers several advantages. First and foremost, it allows you to apply the stain without creating any lap marks or brush strokes. This results in a more professional-looking finish that is free of imperfections.
Brushing can be more efficient for getting stain into inside corners and other recessed areas. To use a cloth (or a sponge) successfully requires getting it very wet. I've noticed that many woodworkers resist getting their cloth wet enough so the stain flows into recessed areas.
But when it comes to applying a smooth coat of clear finish, such as polyurethane, a foam brush is not my first choice. Instead of bristles, it has a blade. The blunt sides leave two parallel ridges of finish, like a snowplow on the highway. Also, the foam head contains air, which can leave bubbles in your finish.
Natural bristle is the best choice for oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, alkyd enamels, oil stains and oil-based polyurethanes.
If you have oil-based stains (which dries slower), brushing or spraying large areas could work, but lacquer and water-based stains simply dry too fast. This could result in imprints of the bristles on your wood surface. You won't have that problem when you apply and finish staining with lint-free cloth wipers.
A foam paint brush is a highly useful painting tool that may be used by professionals and DIY painters alike. These brushes consist of high-density pads that apply paint without leaving unsightly streaks.
Natural bristle brushes can be cleaned and reused for multiple projects, making them one of the best brushes to apply stain. Synthetic bristles are best with 100 percent acrylic and acrylic or oil stains. Unlike natural bristles, they won't become limp.
Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Apply a liberal amount of stain, giving the wood an ample amount to absorb.
Lambswool applicators
A lambswool applicator on a wood block is the recommended method for applying oil-based polyurethane to a hardwood floor. But if you've recently bought a lambswool applicator, be careful. The fibers tend to get stuck in wet finish.
Foam brushes are usually of poly construction, and are commonly safe for most one-part paints, primers, and varnishes.
With a staining brush, work both with the grain and against it. Don't worry about being neat; all that matters is getting a nice, even, liberal coat over the wood. Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off.
Apply using a foam brush, bristle brush, paint pad applicator, or a lint-free cloth such as an old T-shirt. Stain one surface at a time. As you stain each area, remove excess stain by wiping with a clean cloth.
Foam brushes are fine for applying Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and any Minwax® stains, but they don't lay down a smooth final topcoat finish as quality bristle brushes do.
Lambswool Applicators
The method recommended for applying oil-based polyurethane to hardwood floors is with the use of a lambswool applicator on a wooden block. One word of caution with lambswool applicators: The fibers of these applicators have a tendency to get stuck in wet finish.
Using the wrong type of roller can cause foaming of a paint film. Sponge or foam rollers should be avoided with water-based paints. Long pile rollers must be wetted out properly. Foaming happens when air gets into the wet paint film to create air bubbles.
Apply the first coat. For how to finish wood with polyurethane, I use a foam brush (for easy disposal) and apply it very lightly in long strokes, into the direction of the grain of the wood, to avoid foam brush strokes. Use thin coats on the entire surface, not heavy coats.