Different brushes excel with different mediums like paint, stain, and urethanes. Like stains, polyurethane is much less forgiving than paint when it comes to leaving brushstrokes behind. On top of this, the best brush for water-based polyurethane won’t perform as well with oil-based polyurethane.
Let’s take a look at what makes a great brush, what to avoid, and our top five best brushes for oil polyurethane.
Our Top 5 Brushes For Oil Polyurethane
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Purdy Ox-Hair Series
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Pro Grade 5pc Set
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Wooster Silver Tip
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| View on Amazon |
 | Wooster Foam King Series
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Purdy XL Glide
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| View on Amazon |
What Are Oil Polyurethane Brushes?
When working with oil polyurethane, you shouldn’t assume that any old paintbrush you have lying around will work well. Oil polyurethane brushes need to be able to spread the urethane evenly without leaving brushstrokes. Since it leaves an almost clear coat, it is more prone to show these imperfections.
What Are The Different Types of Brushes For Oil Polyurethane?
There are three types of brushes that you can use to get a beautiful finish when using oil-based polyurethane, synthetic, natural, and foam. Each one has its own advantages and drawbacks. The best choice will almost always depend on your project needs.
Synthetic
Synthetic brushes are known for their stiffness and ability to deliver a uniform layer of polyurethane. They are generally made of nylon or polyester fibers and are great at not breaking the bank either. Expect to spend more than on a foam brush but considerably less than a natural one.
Natural
Natural brushes excel in absorbing more urethane and leaving a cleaner-looking finish, especially with oil-based polyurethane. They are usually made from sable or ox hair. The only downside to natural brushes is their high price point, you definitely end up paying for their quality.
Foam
Foam brushes are even more absorbent than natural hair brushes, making them the fastest and least expensive option for most jobs. While they do work well with oil polyurethane, they generally don’t leave as good of a finish as a synthetic or natural brush.
How Do Brushes For Polyurethane Work?
Many people are unaware that paint and polyurethane brushes have some distinct differences. This is because they have different chemical characteristics and consistencies. The best brushes for polyurethane will usually have stiffer coated bristles than other brushes. This helps ensure that you don’t leave behind any brushstrokes.
What Do You Look For In The Best Brushes For Oil Polyurethane?
When choosing a brush for your next project with oil-based polyurethane, you will have to consider a few different things. These include what the bristles are made of, what design they are in, and their overall size.
Bristle Type
As we mentioned earlier, you have synthetic, natural, and foam brushes to choose from when working with oil polyurethane. Each has its own pros and cons.
Natural bristles will leave the best finish, but they cost the most. Synthetics are a more affordable middle ground and, in the right hands, can leave an eye-catching layer of polyurethane behind. Foam brushes are inexpensive and great for covering a large area, but they can leave a finish that leaves something to be desired.
Bristle Style
The two most common styles of bristles come in square and angled shapes. Square or flat bristled brushes work best for applying more urethane quicker, though they can be tough to cut in edges within small spaces. This is where an angled brush comes in handy. Angled bristles help you get in those tight spaces and areas that require some extra detailing.
Brush Size
More likely than not, you will want to purchase multiple sizes of brushes for your next job. Unless you are working on a flat wide open space like a deck or fence, you will probably want a large brush to cover wide-open areas quickly and a smaller one to get into those hard-to-reach spots.
More experienced painters can get away with a one size fits all approach, but first-timers will definitely want some options.
Best Brushes For Oil Polyurethane Reviewed
Let’s dive into our top five brushes for oil polyurethane, the pros & cons of each one, plus which situations they excel the best in.
Purdy Ox-Hair (Best Overall)
When it comes to oil polyurethane, Purdy’s Ox-hair series is the king of the mountain. Even in the hands of novice painters, it will leave a finish free of imperfections, even better than with a synthetic brush.
You can get them in flat or angled options as well as plenty of different sizes, combining quality and versatility into one brush. The soft wooden handle feels good in the hand all day long, unlike plastic-handled competitors. It is also built with a stainless steel ferrule that will hold the bristles in place for many projects to come.
Pros
- Ox-hair bristles leave an unbeatable finish
- Long-lasting, solidly constructed
- Comfortable enough to use on big projects
Cons
- Expensive
- Natural bristles can eventually start to shed after many uses
Pro Grade 5pc Set (Best Budget)
If you aren’t as worried about a perfect finish and you want to save some money, you should consider Pro Grade’s 5pc Set of brushes. You won’t be able to beat the price for five synthetic brushes with any other brand. This pack comes with 1”, 1.5”, 2”, and 2.5” brushes in both flat and angled options.
These may not be your first choice for detailed interior projects that require the utmost quality, but they certainly work well enough for easier exterior jobs.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Synthetic bristles
- Various brush styles and sizes to complete any job
Cons
- Don’t expect them to last
- Hold less polyurethane than more expensive brushes
Wooster Silver Tip (Best High-End)
Ask just about anyone, and they will agree that the Silver Tip line from Wooster is one of the best synthetic brushes ever made for oil polyurethanes. The stiff polyester bristles are unrivaled when it comes to retaining their shape and spreading even layers of urethane.
It will leave a better-looking finish using water-based polyurethane, but it still goes above and beyond when working with oil-based products. Better yet, they really aren’t that expensive for high-end brushes.
Pros
- Inexpensive considering their quality
- Durable handle and bristles
- Hold a lot of urethane for a synthetic brush
Cons
- Work slightly better with water polyurethanes
Wooster Foam King (Best Foam)
If you are looking to knock out a large project fast and without taking a hit to your wallet, then look no further than Wooster’s Foam King series. As far as brushes go, you will have a hard time finding one that can cover as much area as quickly as these.
Since they are foam, they cost next to nothing, especially compared to natural and synthetic brushes. Even though their price point is so low, they are surprisingly durable. The only other thing to keep in mind is that it can be hard to get into tight spots where an angled brush would excel.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Extremely absorbent
- Sturdy
Cons
- Can leave an imperfect finish in inexperienced hands
- Plastic handles can become uncomfortable after a long day
Purdy XL Glide (Best Synthetic)
Purdy’s XL Glide series brushes are used far and wide by painters for a good reason. They are built to last, and they produce an even finish every time. If you are looking for a versatile brush that isn’t as expensive as a natural one, then this is the brush for you.
They are definitely cheaper than natural hair brushes but still on the upper end for synthetics, but you absolutely get your money’s worth.
Pros
- Comfy wood handle made of alder
- Nylon and polyester bristles for even application
- Long-lasting
Cons
- On the pricier end of the synthetic spectrum
Final Thoughts On Brushes For Oil Polyurethane
Brushes aren’t a one size fits all problem solver, no matter what medium you might be working with. Take time to consider the nuances of your project to ensure the best-looking outcome.
If money isn’t an issue and quality is paramount, you will want a natural-haired brush. If you just want to get the job done as quickly as possible, then a foam brush is what you are looking for. Consider synthetics as a happy middle-ground between the two.
Now that you are an expert on the best brushes for oil polyurethane go forth and enjoy knowing that you have the best tools for the job!
