How to Use a Wire Brush

How to Use a Wire Brush
Written By
Jennifer Moore
Jennifer Moore
Published: Jun 28, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Steel wire brushes are a tool fabricators use to finish different types of metals. Brushes are used to remove flaking paint, rust, scratches, dirt and small imperfections. They are used on concrete, metal, stone and wood surfaces. Wire brush attachments are made for drills, grinders and other types of fabrication tools. They come in many different sizes, stiffness and wire types. Soft brushes are used to bring out the luster and polish in a surface, while stiff brushes are used for removing heavy debris.

  1. Don protective leather gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask before using a wire brush.

  2. Attach a steel brush to your drill, angle grinder or bench grinder. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the steel brush attachment. If you don't have the instructional manual for your tool, download the manual from the tool manufacturer's website.

  3. Place the item you want to wire brush in a vice or clamps if you are using a drill or an angle grinder with a wire brush attachment to brush a small object. This way the object remains stable while you move the drill to brush it.

  4. Press the "start" or "on" button on your tool and move the brush against the item. Work on small surface areas. Start at a slow speed and gradually increase the speed of the wire brush rotation. Brushing works more effectively when you use high speed rotation.

  5. Move your item toward the brush if your tool is stationary and your item is small. Use as high a speed as is safe to brush the item.

The Drip Cap

  • Steel wire brushes are a tool fabricators use to finish different types of metals.
  • Brushes are used to remove flaking paint, rust, scratches, dirt and small imperfections.
  • Don protective leather gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask before using a wire brush.
  • Press the "start" or "on" button on your tool and move the brush against the item.

Photo Credits

drahtbürste image by Frank-Peter Funke from Fotolia.com

drahtbürste image by Frank-Peter Funke from Fotolia.com

Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore began writing in 2006, specializing in Web content, blogs and forum postings. She is a graduate from the most prestigious university in Mexico, Universidad de Las Americas, with a B.A. in international relations, later…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.