Here’s how to determine what’s right for your job.
PAINTBRUSH HAIR SERIES
BEST FOR OIL-BASED PAINT: Purdy 144116030 Black Bristle Series Trim Paint Brushīrushes are made of different materials and come in various shapes and sizes to suit specific products and tasks.BEST FOR EDGES: Wooster 2-inch Shortcut Polyester Angle Sash Brush.BEST FOR DETAIL WORK: Purdy 144080515 XL Elite Dale Sash Paint Brush.BEST FOR WALLS: Purdy 144400340 XL Series Swan Wall Paint Brush.Read on to learn about brush material, size, shape, and quality-and how they factored into compiling this list of our top favorites among the best paint brushes available. And of course you’ll rely on brushes for trim and other detail work, as well as for painting furniture. While many DIYers opt for rollers on large surfaces like walls, a brush provides greater precision while using less paint, and more versatility, as brushes are able to create both smooth and textured finishes, depending on your technique. Yet to achieve smooth, complete, precise coverage, you’ll need to put a bit of thought into your brushes as well. If you plan to paint regularly, a paintbrush comb can be the most effective way to keep your bristles from “fingering.” Fingering happens when the bristles harden and clump together due to residue being left on them.Choosing colors for your next paint project can really occupy your time, as you pore over a spectrum of shade swatches.Never soak paintbrushes in water, solvent or cleanser, as this can damage the bristles. Dip the brush in the solvent, then dry by spinning on a dry cloth and rinse. For oil-based paints, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for creating a cleaning solvent. If you’re working with water-based paints, use a mixture of warm water and mild soaps. How you clean your paintbrushes depends on the type of paint you used.
Look for one with rust-resistant ferrules to increase longevity.
PAINTBRUSH HAIR FULL
By investing in a full set, you’ll be covered for a wide range of projects.
These paintbrushes can have a round, pointed, flat, oval-shaped or angular tip. With artistic paintbrushes, you’ll find there are a variety of shapes for the bristles. The ferrule is held to the handle by something called a crimp, and the handle is typically either made from wood or acrylic. There’s also a silver area directly connected to the bristles. Brushes can have natural or synthetic bristles, but often they combine both. Whatever your goal is, you’ll need to look at the bristles and the handle, both of which not only impact your own comfort while you work but also the quality of the finished products. If you’re repainting the walls in your home, you’ll need one type of brush, while artists require a different type of brush altogether.