Pro tip: Switched from wire brushes to polypro brushes on heavy creosote jobs last month

I normally go with wire brushes for the tough stuff, but a buddy convinced me to try polypro and I gotta say, the polypro did a way better job on the glaze without scratching the liner, but it wore down way faster than I expected on a 4 month buildup in Buffalo winter, what do you all use for heavy creosote?

3 comments

3 Comments

matthewmartin1mo ago

Used to think polypro was just for light cleaning and wire was the only option for heavy creosote. A buddy of mine up in Maine talked me into trying the same thing and now I'm converted too, the polypro just glides over the glaze without chewing into the liner. Downside is you're right, they wear out fast I went through two on a single job here in Ohio. I still keep a wire brush around for the really baked on stuff but I start with polypro first now.

seanjackson1mo ago

Yeah I keep telling myself I'll just go easy on the polypro ones but then I'm out there scrubbing like I'm trying to erase a bad decision from my life and poof there goes another brush. At least they're cheap enough that I don't feel too bad about it.

-1

phoenix_grant341mo ago

Start with polypro is the way to go on these big jobs. It is like that thing where you keep grabbing the same worn out tool just because you always have, but then you finally try something different and wonder why you waited. I saw @seanjackson mention wearing them out fast too. That tracks with what I have seen in a lot of trades with newer materials. They do the job better, but you have to plan on buying more of them over time, kind of like swapping from a heavy metal shovel to a plastic one for snow. It saves the driveway, but you know you are buying a new one each season. Your mileage may vary on that trade off.