![]() Tap the brush against the inside of the can to remove excess paint from the bristles. Moisten brushes in water (for latex-based paints) or paint thinner (for oil-based) before use to get the best painting results.ĭip only 1/3 to 1/2 of the brush bristles into paint. Beaver-tail handles are best because the handles are thicker and better shaped for extended use. Kaiser handles are better because they are shaped to be more comfortable during a long paint job. Flat handles have no contouring and so are not as comfortable for extended use. And since wood is more textured, these handles don't have to be gripped as hard. Unvarnished, wooden handles are usually considered most comfortable because a painter's hands don't sweat as much when using them. Handles are either made of plastic or wood. Copper and stainless steel ferrules will never rust and last forever if properly taken care of. These are used on good-quality brushes designed for extended use. Nickel-plated tin will rust, but does so more slowly than regular tin. Tin ones usually rust quickly and are used on low-end, disposable brushes. Nailed-on ferrules are more secure than crimped ones. The more securely it is attached, the better. If bristles pull out easily, the brush is probably poorly constructed.Ĭheck brush ferrule quality (the ferrule is the metal part that attaches the bristles to the handle). When the bristles are pulled, no more than a few should come loose. The bristles on a quality 2" wide brush will be at least 3" long. Bristles 1-1/2 times as long as the width.They should have shorter bristles on the outside and longer bristles in the center, with a tapered appearance. They should have a definite flex at their tips and spring back into shape. When in the store, check to make sure the brushes have: When looking for high-quality brushes, don't rely solely on price. A first-time painter with high-quality brushes and rollers can do as fine a job as an experienced painter with cheap ones. They don't leave brush marks and they hold on to their bristles. The polyester bristles are used in shorter lengths for stiffness when using water-based paints nylon bristles are used in longer lengths for precise tipping and durability during use.īetter brushes hold more paint and therefore let you apply more paint with each stroke, plus they do it in a smoother fashion. Nylon/polyester blends are the most popular synthetic paintbrushes since they combine the best qualities of both for great performance. Also, they are not as easy to clean as nylon. The drawback is that because they are a stiffer-type brush they have less flex and leave more brush marks on surfaces. They retain their stiffness better than any other kind of brush. Polyester filaments are popular with DIYers because of their low price. In addition, nylon-filament brushes are durable and generally less expensive than natural bristle brushes. They work well on rough surfaces and with any kind of paint. Natural-bristle brushes also don't work well on rough surfaces, which can break the bristles' flagged ends.Īrtificial-filament brushes are made from nylon or polyester, or both. They don't work well with water-based paints because the bristles get wet the same way hair does, and so become limp and less effective. These brushes work best with oil-based, alkyd paints, stains and varnishes. Natural bristle filaments are made from animal hair, commonly from sable, squirrels and hogs. Paintbrushes are made with either natural bristles or synthetic bristles and each type works better with particular paint types and on particular surfaces. ![]() ![]() ![]() Angular, or chiseled brushes are ideal for cutting into corners and painting trim, molding and windows. Square or flat-tipped brushes are good for general painting projects because they can cover a large area in less time. Small-sized brushes are used for working in smaller areas and for detail work, whereas large brushes are better when painting a larger surface. Paintbrushes come in a variety of sizes, styles and bristle types and each plays a part in the end result of your paint job. Brush Up On BrushesĮven if you think you know all about paintbrushes, it doesn't hurt to go over some basics. The quality of your paint job depends as much on the quality of your applicators as it does on the paint, so don't skimp. Taking the time to select the appropriate brushes and rollers can save you time and give you professional-looking results. When preparing for a paint project, most homeowners are concerned about getting the right paint but give little thought to the quality of brushes and rollers and which ones will work best for their particular job. ![]()
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