Jen brand foam brushes indicate that they are not to be used with lacquer or shellac, but are safe with
Natural bristle is the best choice for oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, alkyd enamels, oil stains and oil-based polyurethanes. The highest quality bristles come from mainland China. Experienced, traditional painters will say there's nothing like the finish that a China bristle can provide for oil-based coatings.
Foam roller covers work well with oil or high-gloss latex paints, particularly on porous surfaces such as bare wood. They may not last as long as other types of rollers. Roller covers made of versatile blends such as natural wool and polyester are effective for multiple uses and different kinds of paint.
As mentioned above a short-pile 'flock' type roller is the best for applying oil-based paints (if the satinwood is water-based or 'quick-dry' it will still be fine). You should then 'lay-off' the paint to achieve a flat finish without the stipple texture from the roller.
Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, foam brush, or a cloth.
Foam brushes are usually of poly construction, and are commonly safe for most one-part paints, primers, and varnishes.
Oil-based products contain mineral spirits, and for them I reach for a natural bristle brush. For oil-based stains I use a Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Brush. These brushes are designed to carry a lot of stain from the can to your project, and hold up much better than foam brushes.
Paints and primers with glossier sheens, like enamels, are most compatible with woven roller covers that shed less lint and deliver smoother finishes. Oil- or water-based paints are best applied using knit roller covers, since they have a more “open” fabric construction to pick up and release greater amounts of paint.
You can use turpentine, white spirit or paint thinners to thin down oil-based paints for use in a spray gun. The best ratio for oil-based paints is 3/1. That's three parts paint and one part thinners.
Water-based paints: use synthetic brushes (nylon or polyester) and rollers, as they hold their shape and stiffness. Oil-based paints: natural bristle brushes (such as hog hair) are ideal for oil-based paints and varnishes.
Solvent-based paints can damage the foam, so opt for water-based or latex paints. Start by applying a primer designed for styrofoam to ensure the paint adheres properly.
Smooth Surfaces
Painters often use traditional rollers for uneven exterior walls and foam rollers for smooth interior walls, doors, and cabinets. Foam rollers glide along a smooth flat surface very easily and dispense the paint on the surfaces evenly.
Natural bristle paintbrushes work best with oil-based paints and finishes because the bristles don't absorb oils and lose their shape the way that they do with water. They also tend to hold a greater quantity of material so you don't have to dip your brush as often as you do with synthetic bristles.
Purdy® Clearcut® Elite™ paintbrushes offer the ultimate performance and cut-in ability with a stiffer bristle formulation for thicker coatings. Great for Low VOC and latex paints and primers, the ultra-stiff nylon- and polyester-blend bristles that provide clean and straight lines for years.
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 fiber roller covers made with mohair or a blend of polyester and lamb's wool are usually recommended for oil-based paints, varnishes and stains. Synthetic fiber roller covers, on the other hand, are most often recommended for applying latex paints.
Most latex primers dry to the touch in 30 minutes to one hour. But for best results, don't paint until the primer completely dries—which can take up to 3 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Once the primer is completely dry, it's prime time for painting.
Many painters “break in” a roller cover by priming it with water or thinner. In our lab we never prewet a cover before painting. If you choose to, you must spin it out with five or six strong pumps so it is only lightly damp. Then take even more moisture out by blotting the cover with a paper towel.
Although each surface and base color will be different, it's a safe bet that two coats of primer will achieve any priming goals you have.
Under optimal conditions, these BEHR® primers listed below are ready for topcoat after one hour. Once completely dry, apply one to two coats of the desired BEHR water-based topcoat. Allow two hours of dry time in between coats.
After priming, allow to dry 4 hours, test a small area for bleeding by applying the topcoat before painting the entire project. If the stain bleeds through, apply a second coat of primer and allow to dry overnight and retest before topcoating.
When the stain is applied it must be worked into the surface and allowed to soak into the surface. A bristle brush is ideal for applying stain. Other options include a foam brush or cloth.
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.
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.