Used to only use stiff wire brushes for creosote buildup

For ten years I swore by the stiff wire brushes thinking nothing else cut through heavy creosote. Last month I gave a poly brush a shot on a job in Denver and it actually got the stubborn stuff off without scratching the liner. Has anyone else found poly brushes work better on certain masonry?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.rowan11d ago

Yeah poly brushes surprised me too. They work great on masonry.

ellis.jennifer10d ago

Oh man, that's exactly what I found too. I was out in Durango last fall on an old chimney with that flaky, baked-on creosote and the stiff wire brush just kept leaving scratch marks. Swapped to a poly brush and it was night and day - it grabbed the buildup way better without gouging the liner. I think it's because the bristles are more flexible so they get into the little pits and crannies without damaging the masonry. It's become my go-to for anything older than about 20 years now.