Have you ever wondered why trades people often refer to the chip brush as the workhorse brush on site? This affordable and highly practical brush is specifically designed to handle harsh chemical solvents — far more effectively than standard paint brushes.
In this blog, we’ll explain what makes the chip brush stand out and why it’s the preferred option for certain demanding jobs.
What Is a Chip Brush?
As the name suggests, chip brushes are inexpensive, disposable brushes traditionally constructed with short, natural China-flagged bristles (hog hair). These natural bristles offer superior resistance to many solvents, including epoxies, adhesives, stains and paint removers.
The shorter bristle length provides a stiffer brushing action, giving better control when applying thicker or high-viscosity coatings. This makes chip brushes ideal for tasks where durability and solvent resistance matter more than achieving a flawless finish.
If you attempt to use a synthetic paint brush with strong solvents or epoxy, the synthetic bristles can soften, melt or degrade. That’s where a chip brush becomes the best option — it is purpose-built to withstand these working conditions.
The bristles are tightly secured with strong adhesive and crimped ferrules to minimise shedding during use. The comfort-shaped, unlacquered wooden handle provides a secure grip and good control, even when working with heavy coatings.
Types of Chip Brushes
Many people assume there is only one type of chip brush, but there are actually different constructions suited to different applications.
At Haydn, we supply two main types of chip brushes:
- Pure Bristle Chip Brush
These brushes are made from 100% natural hog bristle. They are ideal for applying thick epoxies, resins and adhesives due to their natural heat resistance and superior coating-holding capacity. The split ends of natural bristles improve product pick-up and release.
They are engineered to withstand harsh chemicals and are well suited to heavy-duty, one-time-use applications.
- Blended Bristle Chip Brush
Blended bristle chip brushes combine natural hog bristle with synthetic fibres. This construction makes them suitable for handling solvent-based materials and general cleaning tasks. They provide versatility where full natural bristle performance is not essential.
Comparison Overview
|
Feature |
Pure Bristle Chip Brush |
Blended Bristle Chip Brush |
|
Bristle Material |
100% natural hog hair |
Mixed natural + synthetic |
|
Best Applications |
Heavy epoxies, resins, adhesives |
General solvent, cleaning, staining |
|
Viscosity Handling |
Best for thick, sticky coatings |
Suitable for low-to-medium viscosity |
|
Common Use Case |
Typically, one-time use |
Typically, one-time use |
Available Sizes
Chip brushes are available in a range of sizes to suit different tasks:
- Small (12mm – 25mm): Ideal for precision work, touch-ups and confined spaces.
- Medium (38mm – 63mm): General-purpose size for coating, cleaning and applying resin.
- Large (75mm – 100mm): Suitable for covering larger surface areas with resins, epoxy and solvents.
Things to Keep in Mind
To get the best performance from your chip brush, consider the following:
- Solvents behave differently depending on temperature and season, which can influence product flow and application technique.
- Always confirm the brush is compatible with the specific adhesive, epoxy or solvent being used.
- Dispose of used chip brushes safely to avoid contamination or environmental harm.
- Store unused brushes away from direct sunlight and excessive heat to maintain bristle integrity.
The chip brush may not be designed for fine finishing, but when it comes to durability, chemical resistance and cost-effective application of heavy coatings, it remains the true workhorse on site.
