Once you pull the loose fibers out from the chip brush they do a great job, especially when you are scratch varnishing 3-4 times a year and disposing of the brushes. They can be used again when placed a thinner or solvent, in a plastic sandwich bags or in a container sealed inside a gallon plastic bag, in between multiple applications during a day or sometimes overnight when working on another area the next day. There lower cost makes it affordable to easily dispose and achieve maximum use, for those of us who frequently do this kind of refurbishing or economically owning a "trawler", instead of "yacht".

Sandra Kay

Virginia, with lot's of extended cruisin

Great for small epoxy jobs or other times you don't want to have to clean up the brush afterwards.Surprisingly few bristles come loose.

MacDuff

VA

I needed to get epoxy primer and then bilge paint in limber holes, so I purchased the 1/2" chip brush. Where I had enough room they worked perfectly, giving me confidence that even the tops of the holes were coated. Where there was obstruction, as with a floor beam too close I cut the handle off the brush and screwed it to the head at 90 degrees. That let me get into even the smallest areas.

jazzfisher

Newport, RI

For small jobs where you'd rather discard the brush, instead of cleaning it, you cannot beat locating a good economical chip brush. Chip brushes require that loose bristles be pulled away or they will end up on the surface with the material being applied. Gently and methodically pull out the loose bristles, until there seems to be no more. Apply your paint or varnish. If one or two remaining loose bristle get in the finished surface, remove them and then brush over that area again. A box of chip brushes is a wonderful thing. If you are taking care of your boat, there are numerous small vanish and paint jobs to be done. Varnish require several coats and then scratch coats periodically. These chip brushes are good for holding the solvent and varnish for sanded wood (a 50-50 initial mixture). For additional coats, place the brush inside a sealable sandwich bag placed out of the heat and sun. The brush usually stays pliable for additional coats, before discarding at the end of the day. It is possible to put on three coats in a give day, before walking away to allow time for the applications to cure.

Sandra

Virginia

These are the best bet for laying up smaller areas or for gluing. I prefer them over foam type applicators because the deposit in a smoother more natural way than the foam (IMHO). NOT for Varnish and Finnish coats where higher bristle count and quality affect the result. I have used on "quick" projects where appearance and cleanup didn't warrant getting out the "good stuff".

Bashermax

South Georgia

Wetting out glass

BH

Wake Forest. NC

Can be left in a container of Alcohol-based paint [ Bin by Zinsser for example ] for long periods of time. Once the brush has dried paint up around the top bristles, the bristles last for a long time in the alcohol. I have some that I have used for spot priming that are years old and I move them from can to can.

tim

Fishers Island, NY

Thes chip brushes are excellent quality (for chip brushes) at a better than excellent price. At less than 75¢ each, they can't be beat. Great for when you want to get a job done quickly and don't want to spend time cleaning expensive brushes.

John in SF

San Francisco

These brushes are ideal for epoxy or polyester resin application. They are inexpensive enough to be disposable and stable enough to use for coating pieces. They are also suitable for laying down a base coat of paint or varnish, though be on the lookout for individual bristles which may pull out. I would not recommend these brushes for finish coat.

Sailor

Maryland

I use the brushes repeatedly for applying alcohol based bin to wood and plaster/drywall surfaces to block stains. I leave the brushes in a can with some paint in the bottom, enough to keep the ends of the brush wet. Occasionally I add some denatured alcohol to keep the level in the can high enough to keep the ends of the brush wet. Because the bristles are natural they do not deteriorate for a long time when used in this fashion. I have at least two of these cans going at all times. Some of these brushes have lasted for at least 4 years being used this way. I buy them in bulk as I also use them for working with West Epoxy, in which case they are thrown away after use. They work very well for this purpose. I know of no other product that works so well with West products.

Tim

Fishers Island, New York