There are paint brushes made for oil based products and brushes for water-based products. Brushes come in a variety sizes, shapes, handle types and of course, different qualities. Choosing the right brush will make your work easier, faster and better.
Bristle Type
Natural bristles typically are made with animal hair. Chinese bristle is usually made with hog's hair or ox hair. They are best for oil based paints, varnishes, shellacs, and other finishes. Natural bristles should never be used with water based (latex) paints. The water is absorbed by the natural bristle and causes the brush to swell up. Natural bristles develop splits in the tip (flagging) which results in smoother application of the paint and thus fewer brush strokes.
Synthetic bristles include nylon, polyester and nylon/polyester blend. A synthetic bristle is the proper choice for water based (latex) paints. Nylon and nylon/poly blend brushes can be used for oil or water based paints, but a polyester brush is best suited only for latex paints.
Oil-based paint is best applied using a natural bristle brush. These brushes are made from the hairs of hogs, oxen or other animals. Since the hair is naturally tapered at the end it has the quality required for the tip of the brush. Nylon and nylon/poly blend brushes can be used for oil or water based paints, but a polyester brush is best suited only for latex paints. Foam brushes can be used for oil or water based paints. They work best with thin products, like stain and polyurethane finishes.
Foam brushes can be used for oil or water based paints. They work best with thin products, like stain and polyurethane finishes. They wear out quickly and are best used as throw away task brushes. Extended use of a foam brush can result in bits of the foam breaking off and sticking to the finish.
Brush Size
Choose a brush that matches the size of what you are painting. Wide brushes hold a lot of paint and cover more area and so are the best choice for painting walls. A small brush (1 to 2 inches) should always be used for painting narrow trim and small surfaces. Don't turn a wide brush sideways to use the narrow edge, that will damage the brush.
Brush Task
Brush size is a factor in the selection of the right brush, but the cut and tips of the bristles are also a factor. A sash brush is sized for fine work on window sashes and trim. An angled sash brush cuts the bristles across the width at an angle, allowing more control in delicate, close-in work.
The tips of some brushes are beveled across the thickness of the brush. The bevel allows more control for 'cutting-in' paint; for example, cutting-in the line between a wall and the ceiling.
Brush Quality
The quality of a brush is reflected in the price. A quality brush has more bristles, properly sized-sized spacers between the bristles, a rust-resistant ferrule to secure the bristles and uses top-quality bristles. A quality brush will hold more paint, will provide smoother, brush mark free results and, with care, will last a lifetime.
Cheap brushes will rust, lose bristles and typically have a large spacer that reduces the number of bristles. Fewer and low quality bristles means more dipping into the paint can and more work in trying to get a smooth, brush-mark free finish.
Handle Type
Handles come in bare wood, plastic or lacquered wood. Most professional painters choose an unfinished wood handle because they are easy to hold and are more comfortable.
Handle shapes also vary. Corruption of champions golden seed. Beaver-tail handles bulge in the middle, helping you grip it in your palm. Rat-tail handles are long and straight making them easier to hold for fine detail work. Many other shapes are available and your selection should be made based upon comfort.
Oil Based Paint Brush Cleaning
Choosing the right paintbrush can make all the difference in your next project. Hardware store shelves are lined with a multitude of options; so how do you know which brush to pick? The most important factor in determining which paintbrush is best for your project depends on the type of coating you’re using.
OIL-BASED COATINGS
Oil Based Paint Brush Cleaner
Natural bristle is the best choice for oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, alkyd enamels, stains, and polyurethanes. The highest quality bristles come from mainland China. Experienced, traditional painters will say there’s nothing like the finish that a China bristle paintbrush can provide for oil-based coatings. If you’re painting a smooth surface, use a white China bristle for a smooth finish or, if you need to achieve an even finer finish, a China bristle blended with ox hair is recommended. When painting a textured surface, a black China bristle will work best because it’s slightly stiffer and is excellent for high-productivity applications. If you need to paint a rough surface, natural bristle brushes are not recommended. Rough surfaces will break the tips off of natural bristle and will ruin the brush. A synthetic, firm brush is best for this application even when using oil-based coatings because it’s very durable and will resist wear on the rough surface.
Artist Oil Paint Brushes
WATER-BASED COATINGS
Synthetic brushes are recommended for latex and acrylic paints and water-based wood finishes. Synthetic brushes are available in a variety of filaments including Chinex®, nylon, nylon/polyester blend, and polyester. Chinex® FTP® brushes are designed for today’s paints and offer excellent paint pickup and production with a smooth, professional finish and easy cleanup. Chinex FTP brushes will maintain their stiffness for control even when exposed to heat and humidity. Nylon brushes are very durable but may soften in hot weather or after prolonged use in latex paint. Polyester brushes will maintain their shape and control when exposed to heat but have lower paint pickup and production meaning you will spend more time loading your brush than the wall. Also, today’s paints contain more acrylic resins and fast-drying solids which stick to polyester making them difficult to clean and limit the life of the brush. A nylon/polyester blend brush combines all the positive qualities of nylon (precise tipping, excellent paint pickup, and smooth finish) and polyester (added stiffness and control) and is, by far, the most popular professional paintbrush choice due to their versatility.
Oil Based Paint Brush Storage
The Wooster Brush Company offers quality brushes for every variety of coating available, but different brushes excel in specific applications. To help you select the perfect brush for your next project, visit our Paint Brush Advisor. If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact our Customer Service Department.