How to Choose the Right Paintbrush
By Iain Stubley
Choosing the correct brush for the surface you're covering and the paint you've chosen will make the work easier, less time-consuming, and better looking. Selecting the correct brush for the painting job within reach isn't as daunting as store displays make it seem. Primary, be aware that all of those brushes fall into one of two categories: natural-bristle brushes and synthetic-bristle brushes. Some paints can only be applied with certain bristles. Next, choose the size and shape of brush suitable for the task. Lastly, inspect the brush for quality materials and construction.
Synthetic or natural bristles
Natural-bristle brushes are made of animal hairs and have historically been considered the finest type available, with China hog hair in highest regard. However, some of today's synthetic (usually nylon or polyester) versions perform just as well. Knowing when to use each type isn't hard either. Just bear in minds that if you're using oil-base paint, stay with a natural-bristle or quality synthetic-bristle brush. Don't use a natural-bristle brush for water-thinned finishes. If you do, the hairs will absorb the water and the bristles will become mop like and perform badly. Nylon bristles are recommended for use with oil-base, latex, or alkyd paints. Polyester bristles work well in all types of paint because they do not absorb water and they have high resiliency.
Shape and size
The shape and size of brush to use depends largely on what you feel comfortable handling. The three basic shapes of brushes for home use have either a flat, angled, or rounded end. Consider the size and detail of your painting project. A 3- to 6-inch flat wall brush will save you time when covering large areas such as exteriors, ceilings, and walls. Use a 1 - to 3-inch flat sash or trim brush to paint medium-size surface areas such as cabinets, shelves, doors, or wide molding. A 1- to 3-inch angular sash or a small round brush can fill grooves better on tricky surfaces such as windows, eaves, molding, and other hard-to-reach spaces.
Materials and construction
Should you spend the extra amount for the inexpensive brush, or the quality brush the better buy? It depends. If you are willing to take the time to clean your brush after using it, buy a quality brush. It should serve you well for years. But if you paint only occasionally and don't like cleaning up, a less-expensive brush probably is the wiser investment.
How can you tell between a good-quality brush and one of lesser quality? There are several ways. One of the surest is to spread the bristles and inspect their tips. Quality natural-bristle brushes will have tapered tips with little "flags" on the bristle ends, the more the better. On good-quality synthetic brushes, you'll see fuzzy tips instead of blunt ends. These flags help the brush pick up and hold more paint, release paint evenly and smoothly, cover the previous layer of old paint, and flow a smooth, straight edge. You also can give the bristles a couple of good hard raps against the edge of a counter. A quality brush will lose some of its bristles, but a cheap one will lose a lot.
Furthermore check the ferrule of the brush. This metal band (aluminum or stainless steel are best; tin is least expensive, but rusts easily) near the handle should be wrapped tightly and neatly around the brush, and solidly secured to the handle. Nails or staples are most secure, but many ferrules are crimped to the brush instead.
Handles can be wood or plastic. Wood handles should be sealed to keep water from penetrating the ferrule and loosening bristles. Plastic handles are fine, but can be hard and uncomfortable to grip.
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