Today's curb find was a nice block of high density foam. This will last me for YEARS.

 

A 3" x 3" x 1" piece and a pair of nitrile gloves is perfect for applying oil and spirit finishes to my treasures: 1] Wipe on with the grain overlapping a narrow wet edge. 2] Squeeze out excess finish from the "brush".  3] With oil finishes, a light back and forth across the entire surface to sop up over-applications and runs.

 

The tight (open? closed?) cell foam - high density is usually black but I've seen blue - makes a nice brush.

 

Nice Score!

I never would a thunk, man, you sure see things many of us don't!

Take care in your foam. The latest find does break apart from spirit varnish during longer uses but is still okay for a quick wipe or three.

 

The foam block before did not.  Guess there are different types of foam.

 

Don't judge a block by its color. 

22 minutes ago, Woodman said:

Take care in your foam. The latest find does break apart from spirit varnish during longer uses but is still okay for a quick wipe or three.

 

I've found the same thing has happened with some store bought foam brushes.  I had just chalked it up to them being old.  Maybe it's really 'cause they have a cheap type of foam.

4 hours ago, Cal said:

 

I've found the same thing has happened with some store bought foam brushes.  I had just chalked it up to them being old.  Maybe it's really 'cause they have a cheap type of foam.

Most foam brushes have a disclaimer on the handle, something like, "Not for use with Lacquer or Shellac"

I've bought a few from HD. When they are shot, I keep the handles with wee plastic paddle.

Then I cut my own foam, fold over and use 3M spray adhesive.

I've made them using open cell. Works like a charm.

A while back I scavenged a 4' x 4" tapered slat cut off a beam of longleaf pine. ½" to ⅛" in thickness. Finally, as painting asserted itself over woodcrafts, I crosscut it into a number of palette blades. After paint dries on the edge, a few swipes with the little plane restores it to new.

The black foam is okay with acrylic but spirit stain seems 6to dissolve it. Bet acetone would turn it to mush ☠️

At different rates for sure Foam brushes will dissolve in thinners, acetone and the like. But I never use foam brushes this way. Only for glue ups sometimes and water based paint. They have their place.

I use them for shellac, for small projects only. If put in fridge I usually get 2 maybe 3 uses before they begin to disintegrate.

Usually get 50 at a time. Like @MrRick I save the handles but I use them as dowels.

Gunny...I use them with shellac as well. They do a nice job over small surface areas. However I usually French polish with shellac.