Abstract: A brush element containing a plurality of bristles having medial bends formed into a plurality of tufts, each tuft being surrounded by a mechanical restraining means, a back for said brush comprising a body of fiberglass filled and reinforced substantially inflexible high impact thermoset polyester resin, each medial bend of said bristles being embedded in said resin such that its upper end is closer to the top surface of said back than to the bottom surface thereof and the restraining means being closer to the bottom surface of said back than to the top surface thereof. The polyester resin has a notched izod impact strength greater than 2 foot-pounds per inch and a Shore D hardness greater than 50.