Choosing The Right Paint Brush -

PICKING A PAINT BRUSH

Good paint brushes, when properly cared for, can be used over and over again. Skip the cheap brushes if you want to get multiple uses and high quality results.

It may be tempting to save money on a cheap brush, but a good high-quality brush is almost as important as quality paint. A good brush will hold more paint and apply it evenly.

THE FOLLOWING PAINTBRUSHES ARE HELPFUL TO KEEP AROUND

1-inch angled sash brush: Choose one with a stubby handle to paint edges and trim.

2-inch angled sash brush: This brush is used for cutting in corners and edges, and painting narrow window sashes and sills.

3-inch flat bristle sash brush: We recommend the regular handle; use it for wide trim and sashes.Small chip brush: Use this brush to get paint into tight corners and spaces.

5-inch wall brush: Use this one for floors, walls, and ceilings.

TO PICK THE RIGHT BRUSH FOR THE JOB, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE PAINT YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH

Paint Choice:

If you’re using latex paint you’ll need synthetic bristles, but if you’re using oil-based paint or a varnish, spend the extra money to get a good quality natural bristle brush. The better the quality of natural bristles the smoother and glossier the finish you’ll achieve.

What Does the Term “Alkyd ” mean?

Alkyd is the manufacturing term meaning a synthetic resin. In other words, it is a made-made oil and is not derived from plants or petroleum.

BRUSH MATERIAL

Bristle and filament blend
characteristics of natural and synthetic that can represent good value. Blends of this type are well suited for general purpose painting across water and oil based paints, and wood treatments.

PET filament
or (polyethylene terephthalate) is a common form of polyester synthetic fiber which does not absorb moisture but can absorb oil. As such PET is not ideally suited for oil based paints.

PBT filament
or (polybutylene terephthalate) a form of polyester synthetic fibre that has many of the desirable performance characteristics of Nylon. The most notable difference being that PBT absorbs less water which results in improved rigidity in wet and dry conditions. PBT is a premium filament with excellent all-around performance, great bend recovery and solvent resistance.

SYNTHETIC BENEFITS

Synthetic does not swell significantly in water (depending on the synthetic material used) so tips stay fine to prevent tramlines (brush marks) in waterborne paint.

Synthetic brushes are easier to clean.

There is less chance of bristle loss with synthetics.

SYNTHETIC DRAWBACKSS

ynthetics hold less paint meaning more loadings, but this may suit a decorator that likes to paint in smaller areas or sections.

They do not spread paint as well as bristle, so you need to work the paint more.

PAINT BRUSH COMPONENTS

NATURAL BENEFITS

Natural bristle has a rougher surface texture than synthetic, which has a number of advantages:It holds more paint, meaning less loadings for the painter especially when a large area makes more paint per loading a real advantage.It spreads paint further the first time, meaning less working of the paint for a better finish and less time needed.Natural bristle wears to a shape, called ‘breaking a brush in’ which makes for a brush with better control, and eventually a ‘cutting in’ brush.

NATURAL DRAWBACKS

On the other hand, bristle also has disadvantages versus synthetic:There is higher risk of bristle loss than synthetics – hence the need to invest in the best quality.Natural bristle swells in water so will leave brush marks in a waterborne trim paint.

BRUSH STYLE

The “style” of your brush refers to the cut and shape of the brush head itself. As with other brushes, which one is right here depends on the type of job you’re doing.
A Trim brush is a small usually flat brush made for detail and trim painting. ROLLINGDOG also offers specialty trim brushes with square and triangular shapes.
A wall brushhas a thicker flat ferrule, to allow more fibers to hold more paint and is used for painting large surfaces.
An angled sash brush has bristles that are cut at an angle and used for painting trim and around windows. A thin angled sash brush has a thinner profile and is ideal more delicate work.
A flat sash brush retains a slim profile but the bristles are cut straight across.

DID YOU KNOW?

The most universal brush to purchase is a 2½-inch sash brush. Its angled bristles make a sharp point for straight lines when cutting in, and it’s the right width for most trim jobs.