Chip Brushes
What are chip brushes?
Chip brushes were originally designed to sweep away debris (such as metal chips) from machinery. That’s where their name comes from, and this remains one of their common uses today.
For jobs that require a disposable brush, Chip brushes are a great economical option. These versatile tools are perfect for painting, staining, and touch-ups, as well as cleaning and sweeping away debris. Painters, homeowners, and manufacturers all use chip brushes for different tasks.
What materials are chip brushes good for?
Chip brushes are most often used with adhesives, glue, and strong solvents such as paint removers, as these would ruin more expensive paintbrushes. The natural China bristles you’ll find on our chip brushes are also ideal for applying oil-based paints as well as stains and varnishes.
What are the typical applications for chip brushes?
In the manufacturing industry, chip brushes are often used to clean machinery, electronics, tools, and even heavy industrial equipment. Because they are economically priced, chip brushes are also a great disposable option for paint touch-ups and other one-time use tasks.
What are chip brushes made of?
Our chip brushes feature all-natural white China bristles with wood or plastic handles. For those who prefer dark bristles, we also offer brushes with black China bristles.
What kinds of chip brushes do you stock?
We carry good, better, and best quality chip brushes:
- The 60W (with pure white China bristles) is a good quality chip brush. Our most economical and popular chip brush, the 60W is commonly used as a disposable brush and users can experience bristle loss during application.
- The 65 chip brush with longer, premium-grade white China bristles can hold more paint or glue than the 60W.
- The 67 chip brush is our best-grade China bristle brush, made in the USA and tolerant of more exotic solvents.
What sizes and shapes are chip brushes available in?
Chip brushes are flat brushes that can range in size from ½” wide to 4” wide, depending on the product. Our most popular sizes are the 1" and 2" brushes.
All chip brushes are also available in various bristle lengths (ranging from 1 ½” to 2”) and thicknesses (ranging from ¼” to ¾”).
How do I pick the right brush size for my project?
For large areas like walls or floors, you’ll get the coverage you want from a 3” – 4” wide chip brush. For detailed projects, small surfaces, or tight spaces, choose a smaller sized brush to get the precise control you need.
Are chip brushes meant to be disposable or reusable?
Our economical 60W chip brushes are an ideal disposable option for single-use jobs. Our better-grade chip brushes, including the 65 and the 67, are more substantial, so they can be used multiple times.
Are chip brushes good for staining wood?
Yes—the China bristles on our chip brushes are a great choice for applying stain and varnish. These natural fibers can hold more moisture without warping, so they’ll provide a smooth finish.
How does the finish quality of a chip brush compare to other brushes for staining wood?
Brushes with dense bristles and good flexibility can produce a smooth, even finish when staining wood. Our more economical chip brushes are good for applying stain on small surfaces or in tight spaces, and for doing touch-ups. However, using a brush with coarser, less dense bristles on a large surface area can produce an uneven application with visible stroke marks.
Can chip brushes handle both oil-based and water-based stains?
Chip brushes with natural China bristles are a great choice for oil-based stains, as they can efficiently hold the stain and provide a smooth, effective application. However, they are not recommended for use with water-based stains. Natural bristles can absorb water from the stain, and the swollen, limp bristles will not be able to provide a smooth finish. For water-based stains, try one of our paint brushes with synthetic bristles instead.
For staining, should I use a disposable chip brush or invest in a higher-quality brush?
Investing in a high-quality brush can yield great results and may last for years when properly taken care of. To clean the bristles, you will need to invest in paint thinner, mineral spirits, or other chemicals—and this process costs not only money but your time as well. The majority of our customers find that it’s far more efficient to buy disposable chip brushes.
What are the pros and cons of using a chip brush versus foam brushes for staining?
Chip brushes and foam brushes are both popular choices for applying stain. Inexpensive disposable options are available for both brush types, which will save you time and money.
Chip brushes, however, are generally more durable than foam brushes, particularly when working with harsh chemicals like stain and when applying it to a rough wood surface. Either of these conditions could cause the foam to break down or come unglued from the brush handle. Chip brushes can also hold more stain, making your job more efficient. Please note that bristle loss occurs in the chip brushes of lowest grade.
Are there any other brushes to consider alongside chip brushes?
Yes. Many consider the 832 paint brush because it is a very good quality brush, contains black china bristle set in epoxy, and is more than a grade up from a disposable brush.
Not finding a product for your specific application?
Please call us to discuss your project.