When choosing a paintbrush there are a number of things to consider, first of which is what you are looking to paint. The surface that you are looking to paint will play an important part in what brush is right for the job. There are a huge range of brushes available to choose from and this guide will help you pick the right paintbrush for the job.
Our first tip is that a good quality paintbrush will not only last longer, but will deliver a better finish than a cheap brush. If you are looking to get professional results then you need the right tool for the job and a cheap synthetic brush simply won’t be up to the job.
When painting with oil-based paints you should always use natural bristle brushes as they absorb a lot of paint and offer a smooth and soft uniform finish. Bristle brushes are also best for use with oil based stains and varnishes.
For latex paints, acrylic paints and water based stains a synthetic brush will give the best results. These brushes are designed to spread paint evenly and because they are water resistant they are perfect for use with water-based paints.
The length of bristles on a brush should be equal to or longer than the width of the brush. This will help the brush pick up more paint meaning you spend less time reloading your brush and more time painting.
Types of Paintbrushes?
There are a huge amount of paintbrushes to choose from including: wall brushes, exterior brushes, fitch brushes, angled handle brushes and sash brushes to name just a few. Each brush is suited to a different job and this is explained below.
Wall Brushes
Wall brushes are a traditional flat brush which are usually 4 inches or more in width and are perfect for applying emulsion paint to interior walls.
Exterior Brushes
Some of the features of exterior brushes include: hard wearing bristles, wide head, waterproof handles and made from durable materials.
Fitch Brushes
Fitch brushes are available with flat, round or slanted heads and are used for fine detailing on areas such as coving or window trims.
Angled Handle Brushes
The perfect tool for painting hard to reach areas, angled handle brushes can be used for detailing or for painting behind radiators, pipes and guttering. They can be used for interior or exterior jobs.
Sash Brushes
For cutting in and detailing sash brushes are the brush to use. They are available in a choice of bristle types as well as different heads. Popular sizes include: 0.5 inch, 1 inch and 1.5 inch.
Paintbrush Maintenance
Once you have got the right paintbrush it is important to care for it properly to make sure that it continues to deliver the perfect painted finish. Below are some of our top tips for paintbrush maintenance:
Use a stainless steel wire brush to help remove oil paint from natural bristle brushes. Soak the brush in thinner first before running the stainless steel wire brush through the bristles to remove the paint.
Never leave a brush in paint or stored in a container, brushes should be cleaned properly and left to hang from the handle hole.
For large areas, use a three- or four-inch brush. In the long run, a three-inch brush is less tiring and can be used in more places than a four-inch brush. Paint smaller trim with a two-inch angular brush.