The chef _____ a layer of glaze on the pastries before he puts them in the oven.

1. brushed

2.brushes

i choose the answer 'brushed' but the correct answer is 'brushes'.

why? shouldn't it be past tense since he 'already brushed' a layer of glaze before he puts them in the oven?

hmm....i often confuse with theseeeeeee....