
These brushes are generally use-and-toss, as they are inexpensive and difficult to clean. These blended brushes are ideal for water-based paints, but most can also be used with oil-based products.įoam paint brushes don’t have bristles, but rather, a solid piece of soft foam with a slightly chiseled edge. They combine the smoothness of nylon with the slight stiffness of polyester for a sturdy brush that lays down a smooth, even finish. Nylon/polyester blends are the most popular choice for the average DIYer, and these are the brushes often labeled as all-purpose. However, nylon doesn’t tolerate heat or humidity well, and can become overly soft. Many can also be used with oil-based paints, but not shellac or lacquer. Nylon bristles are an excellent choice for water-based paints on interior paint jobs. These brushes are best with latex paint, but can be used with oil-based paints, stains, lacquers, and shellacs, as well. Polyester bristles are somewhat stiff, and best suited to painting exterior walls and other outdoor surfaces. They are more durable and easier to clean than natural bristles, but are expensive. Chinex brushes are suited to either oil-based or water-based paints, and like natural bristles, lay down a smooth, thick coat of paint. Avoid natural bristles when painting very rough surfaces, such as brick, however, because the bristles tend to break in these situations.Ĭhinex bristles are a synthetic version of natural bristles. Choose the black-bristled brush for applying oil-based paints over slightly irregular surfaces. The white-China bristles are slightly softer than the black-China bristles, so use the white brush for the smoothest finish, or if applying oil-based shellac, polyurethane, or lacquer. Both are used for applying oil-based paints, varnishes, and stains. Natural bristles, usually made from hog’s hair, are often labeled as either white China bristles or black China bristles. The right choice mostly depends on the type of paint you are using.
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There are several types of bristles to choose from, plus foam paint brushes. What to Look For In a Paint Brush Bristle Type But if you need a brush specifically for painting trim and other detailed work, the Wooster Silver Tip Sash Brush (view at Amazon) is the best choice. Its nylon/polyester bristles lay down a smooth, even coat of paint on walls, furniture, trim, and just about any other surface you might want to paint. If you want an all-purpose, excellent quality paint brush that can handle both water-based and oil-based products, you can't go wrong with the Purdy XL Sprig (view at Amazon). We've done the research for you, and whittled down the many available options to the best paint brushes in several categories likeliest to be of interest to the DIY painter. For most people tackling a painting project, the ideal solution is to have several brushes in various sizes and shapes.

Finally, you'll want a brush that's the right size for your job. You'll also want to consider brush shape: flat brushes are perfect for the wall, while angled brushes are the best choice for trim and detail work. First off, check whether your paint is water-based or oil-based, as that determines the types of bristles that will work best for your project. There are a few things to consider when choosing a paint brush. A good brush can make the difference between a smooth, even coat of paint and a bristle-marked, blotchy finish. But if you want the most professional-looking results possible, you need to start not only with high-quality paint, but also with high-quality paint brushes. A fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to give a room an entirely new look, and the process is well within the abilities of most DIYers. One of the most popular DIY projects is painting, and for good reason.
