I Need a Small Paint Safe Brush

chilly · 07-04-09, 11:21

On my Audi TT there is a U shaped channel where the glass seal is on the front and rear glass.

The gap is too small to get a MF cloth in there to scrub out the crud.

Part of it is wide enough for a Q-Tip but most of it is too narrow.

I am looking for a small paint safe brush that I can use to scrub out that channel. If it had about 1/2" bristles and was just 1/8" to 1/4" wide it would be perfect.

I am thinking a small artists brush, but genuine bristle artists brushes are crazy expensive.

Anybody got a solution?

Michael

Accumulator · 07-04-09, 12:36

chilly- note that IME any brush will have to be used *wet* or it'll mar (unless it's so soft as to be ineffective anyhow).

I really like my various BHBs, but it can be a fine line between soft-enough (not to mar) and too soft (for effective cleaning).

I use long-nap/very plush MFs for that myself, at least when I'm not using swabs. I'll often pull some of the cotton off the tip of a swab and then soak it with QD..that usually allows me to get into tight spots faily well and if it doesn't work I reach for my plushest MF.

chilly · 07-04-09, 12:52

Accumulator,

Thanks for the tips and the quick response.

I had a great wash brush that wouldnt mar paint and my son "borrowed" it and never brought it back.

I have been avoiding buying a new BHB but for things like this and grilles and badges there really isnt much else that will work.

In this particular situation I have tried a folded pluch MF but there just isnt room.

I guess I will order a new BHB and see if that works.

Thanks

Michael

Legacy99 · 07-04-09, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilly

Accumulator,

Thanks for the tips and the quick response.

I had a great wash brush that wouldnt mar paint and my son "borrowed" it and never brought it back.

I have been avoiding buying a new BHB but for things like this and grilles and badges there really isnt much else that will work.

In this particular situation I have tried a folded pluch MF but there just isnt room.

I guess I will order a new BHB and see if that works.

Thanks

Michael

Not all BHB are the same. Get the Swissvax brush with the wooden handle.

chilly · 07-04-09, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legacy99

Not all BHB are the same. Get the Swissvax brush with the wooden handle.

Legacy99

Thanks for the tip. I will take a look at the Swissvax brush.

Michael

dsms · 07-04-09, 02:44

Maybe a boars hair brush, those seem to be very gentle on paint. Usually they are sold for interior use, a 1inch round BH brush may be what you want.

BigAl3 · 07-04-09, 03:37

if you can find one of these still, they work great for getting in the tight spots (seams, etc). also, you try a toothbrush and cut a few rows off, to where there is one row and see how that works...

chilly · 07-04-09, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl3

if you can find one of these still, they work great for getting in the tight spots (seams, etc). also, you try a toothbrush and cut a few rows off, to where there is one row and see how that works...

I think I will find the softest most worn out toothbrush in the house and try it on paint somehere in the trunk and see if it will mar the paint. If I am slow and careful I can probably make it work.

Thanks

Michael

FREAKAH · 07-05-09, 12:31

Just go to your local hardware store and pick up a high quality 1"-3" China bristle paintbrush. Works great for the area you mentioned and many other areas like emblems, wheels, creases etc.. You may need to trim the bristles shorter to make the brush a little stiffer. A cutting brush would work also.

I also recommend that you wrap the metal part with some duct tape for protection.

Accumulator · 07-05-09, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legacy99

Not all BHB are the same..

Man-oh-man is that the truth!

No matter *what* brush you're using, I'd still test it carefully (probably using magnification if you're planning to use it dry).

Toothbrushes? Yikes...the softest I've ever used are the "soft" version of the natural-bristle ones, *much* softer than synthetic bristles (eh...forget who makes them, they're available at the Vermont Country Store). And those will absolutely mar paint if used dry; under 15X it's a real horror-show. My oldest one is so soft it's hard to believe it'll do that kind of damage, but it does..

chilly · 07-06-09, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Man-oh-man is that the truth!

No matter *what* brush you're using, I'd still test it carefully (probably using magnification if you're planning to use it dry).

Toothbrushes? Yikes...the softest I've ever used are the "soft" version of the natural-bristle ones, *much* softer than synthetic bristles (eh...forget who makes them, they're available at the Vermont Country Store). And those will absolutely mar paint if used dry; under 15X it's a real horror-show. My oldest one is so soft it's hard to believe it'll do that kind of damage, but it does..

OK, the toothbrush theory just went south! Thanks for the warning. I am back to buying a new BHB. Legacy99 suggested the Swissvax BHB. I cant seem to locate one.

Michael

BigAl3 · 07-06-09, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilly

OK, the toothbrush theory just went south! Thanks for the warning. I am back to buying a new BHB. Legacy99 suggested the Swissvax BHB. I cant seem to locate one.

Michael

*note* the detailing brush i have pictured works great for getting at seams/rubber moldings, etc., where dried up wax, etc., hides and should not be used on "paint". in anycase... if you don't own one of these, they are a great tool to have in the arsenal...

if you have a michaels near you, they have many different types of paint brushes that you can look at and decide what may work best for you...