An embodiment of an apparatus includes an actuatable downhole tool with a brush actuator that includes brush elements extending outwardly from a slide member that surrounds a mandrel having a proximal end connectable to a tubular string. The brush elements are sized to engage a casing into which the apparatus is disposed. A spring element is disposed intermediate the slide member and the mandrel to bias the mandrel to a proximal position. A transition mode of the brush elements is achievable by reversing the direction of movement of the apparatus within the casing from the trailing up mode towards the trailing down mode and provides a sufficient amount of resistance to overcome the spring element to move the slide member to a distal position and displace a displaceable member of the actuatable downhole tool to actuate the tool.