In the Brushes section, you will find brushes intended for boat painting and varnishing in different sizes and bristle types: foam brushes in 50 and 95 mm widths for evenly treating larger surfaces, synthetic fiber bristle general-purpose brushes in 50 and 100 mm sizes, and Mercato and allround varnish brushes in 30, 50 and 70 mm widths for precision varnishing.
A foam brush is particularly suitable for applying thin, even coats of paint, such as primer or epoxy paints – it leaves no brush marks and is usually disposable, which is practical when the type of paint changes during the job and the brushes do not need to be washed with solvents between each color change. A general-purpose brush with synthetic fiber bristles, on the other hand, can withstand repeated washing and use, so it is a better choice when you want to use the same brush several times.
The varnish brush is designed specifically for applying a glossy finish, where the brush should spread the varnish as evenly as possible without bubbles or streaks. The differences between the Mercato model and the all-round brush are mainly found in the softness and durability of the bristles – experienced varnishers often prefer a particular brand according to their own processing habits, but both are well suited for varnishing a wooden boat or deck.
The width of the brush should be chosen according to the size of the surface to be treated: a narrow 30 mm brush is suitable for moldings and narrow gaps, while a 95–100 mm wide brush will significantly speed up the treatment of large flat surfaces, such as a frame or lid. Keeping several sizes of brushes with you allows you to always choose the tool that best suits the job, rather than trying to cope with one universal brush in all situations.
It is always a good idea to clean the brush immediately after use with a solvent or water that is appropriate for the type of paint used, as dried paint on the bristles will shorten the life of the brush and weaken the result the next time you use it. A well-maintained, high-quality brush will last for several painting seasons.
You should also consider the type of brush according to the composition of the paint you are using: thicker, single-coat paints often require stiffer bristles that distribute the paint evenly without extra strokes, while thinner varnishes and primers are best applied with softer bristles that do not leave visible brush marks on the dried surface.
It is worth purchasing a set of several brush sizes at once if you have a larger project ahead, such as repainting the entire frame or varnishing the deck – this way you will always have the most suitable tool at hand and you will not have to interrupt your work to look for the right brush in the middle of the painting job. A high-quality brush will pay for itself in a more even finish and a longer service life compared to the cheapest disposable brushes.