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Badger Hair Brushes

One part science, five parts experimentation. Every wood boat veteran has their secret recipe for a showy finish. Share your trials and triumphs.

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tkhersom
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Badger Hair Brushes

Post by tkhersom » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:20 am

I have read several posts about the benefit of Badger Hair Brushes when varnishing. I have been using a Purdy white china bristle brush with what I feel is very satisfying results. :)

Saw this one advertised though JD and was surprised at the affodabiliy (I was expecting them to be much more expensive).
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ir+Brushes

It seems that there are very mixed reviews even though it rates 4 stars.

Has anyone here had experience with this brand and model brushes? :?

Part of me thinks "If it ain't broke don't fix it." while another part thinks "If there is a better brush for the job, buy it.".
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

Jim Bell
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by Jim Bell » Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:01 am

My understanding, from my visits to refinishing shops during the ACBS winter tours of badger brushes, aside from their ability to carry varnish well, is their longevity when properly cared for. I recall seeing Badger brushes that were decades old. :shock:

charlesquimby
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by charlesquimby » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:20 pm

TK's comment about longevity is true. I have three badgers in different widths that I have used for at least twenty years. Mine are by Red Tree. Since I have not needed new ones, I do not know if the brand is still availible. Badgers will lay out varnish beautifully because they are built thicker than a standard brush, and have a chisel edge. The hair is fine at the end, and seems to hold varnish, and "meter" it out better than others such as white or red china. The thickness and relative shortness of the bristle keeps the brush from flexing, as well. An excellent read on the subject is Rebecca Wittman's book, Brightwork, The Art of Varnish from International Marine books. Charley Q

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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by charlesquimby » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:21 pm

Correction. I was referring to Jim Bell's comment re' longevity... CQ

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tkhersom
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by tkhersom » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:33 pm

charlesquimby wrote:I have three badgers in different widths that I have used for at least twenty years. Mine are by Red Tree. Since I have not needed new ones, I do not know if the brand is still availible. Charley Q
Interesting!

If you follow the link you will see that these are Redtree, however the most common "Con" is that they deteriorate and shed bristles. Maybe I will keep searching.

Any suggestions? :?
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

charlesquimby
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by charlesquimby » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:24 am

I have not had a shedding problem except for the bristles on my noggin. Perhaps its like everything else: manufacturing quality is slowly becoming mediocre. CQ

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mfine
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by mfine » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:30 am

For $20 for a 3", I would suggest you try it out and let us all know how it works out. The brushes Epiphenes sells are china bristle and 2-3 times that price.

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tkhersom
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by tkhersom » Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:19 am

mfine wrote:For $20 for a 3", I would suggest you try it out and let us all know how it works out. The brushes Epiphenes sells are china bristle and 2-3 times that price.
That was another thought I had, but not sure as I want to have the hastles of a shedding brush just to save a few bucks.

Usually "you get what you pay for."
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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mfine
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by mfine » Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:15 pm

That is why I would prefer YOU try it out before I get one. :D

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tkhersom
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by tkhersom » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:55 pm

MFINE you make me chuckle. :lol:
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

sportsman
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by sportsman » Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:53 pm

I would like to hear from those that have directly compared the "roll and tip" method to the Badger brush; like a side by side comparison.

I started with the Badger, but switched to roll and tip 20 years ago. I did so not because I found the varnish seem to lay flatter, and mostly, because I found I was not very good at keeping it clean (at the time I lived in a condo in NYC and there was not a proper place to clean and store them).

Thoughts?

dustoff135
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by dustoff135 » Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:17 am

I had great success with the roll and tip method. Roll with a 6 inch foam roller, tipped with a 3 inch foam brush that was about half an inch thick that came to a point. They cost about $3 a piece, and I threw them away after one use.
One might say this is wasteful, but I never had to worry about using a bunch of caustic chemicals to clean them. After spending 4-6 hours preeping for another coat of varnish and another 2-3 hours putting on a coat of varnish, the last thing I wanted to do was clean a brush.
It is not just the act of cleaning or the time inolved, but the wories that go along with it.
Is it clean enough?
Do I need to be exposing myself to yet more chemicals?
If it is not clean, how much dust and dirt will be in my next coat of varnish?

Yes, this may be a little more expensive, but unless you are varnishing all the time I wouldn't bother. One of the keys to a great finish is consistency. I always knew what I was starting with.
Another thing to consider. I used a very light touch while tipping. Unfortuantely, I would occasionally drop my brush. When this happened, it inevitably picked up some dirt and could not be used. If you drop your one good Badger Hair brush, are you going to stop in the middle of the hull? Anyone who has varnished knows that stopping in the middle of the job does not yield good results.

I could go on, but I think that my two cents has stretched to four.
Patrick

Previous projects: 1940 17' Barrelback, #71572
1971 XK19, ORCZ19-2016V

New project: Looking???

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Paul P
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by Paul P » Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:10 am

I thought everyone here already knew this, but I'll say it again.

Guys........THE BEST VARNISH JOB......must be done with a single-hair badger brush, under a full moon, nude (or nearly nude if you are reaching), while the dogs are barking.

I offer this as a public service announcement.

Best,

Paul
1956 17' CC Sportsman, 300-hp
1957 17' CC Sportsman, 95-hp
1966 20' CC fiberglass Sea Skiff, 210-hp+
1973 23' CC Lancer inboard project, 427/375-hp.
1966 38' CC Commander Express, 427/300-hp(2)

So many boats.........so little time.....but what a way to go!!

Bob B
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by Bob B » Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:59 am

Not to be picky, but it's nearly nude for interior work and fully nude for exterior work.

Greg Wallace
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by Greg Wallace » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:26 pm

Suggests a whole new meaning for roll and "tip".
Greg Wallace 23 Custom 22166 former Chris-Craft dealer Russells Point, Oh.

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mfine
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by mfine » Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:04 pm

While Paul P is normally a very knowledgable individual, I must strongly disagree.

A single badger hair is the third best varnish job if that high. The second best comes from using a live badger and the absolute best comes from using the belly fur of a live wolverine...while naked. Give it a try and I promise you won't be worried about drips, dust or any other finish flaws.

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tkhersom
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Re: Badger Hair Brushes

Post by tkhersom » Tue Aug 27, 2013 4:07 pm

No Wolverines up here in the northeast. Think I will try that method with a Fisher Cat. Suspect the results will be the same. :P
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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