TOOLS : Brushing Up on Right Paint Bristles

Selecting the right brush for the painting job at hand isn’t as daunting as some store displays make it seem.

First, 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. Second, choose the size and shape of brush appropriate for the task. Finally, inspect the brush for quality materials and construction.

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 versions (usually nylon or polyester) perform just as well.

Knowing when to use each type isn’t hard, either. Keep in mind that if you’re using oil-base paint, stay with a natural-bristle or quality synthetic-bristle brush. Never use a natural-bristle brush for water-thinned finishes. 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 have high resiliency.

The size and shape 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 three- to six-inch flat wall brush will save you time when covering large areas such as exteriors, ceilings and walls. Use a one- to three-inch flat sash or trim brush to paint medium-size surface areas such as cabinets, shelves, doors or wide molding. A one- to three-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.

Should you spend the extra amount for a quality brush, or are the inexpensive ones the better buy? If you’re willing to take the time to clean your brush after using it, buy a quality brush. But if you paint only occasionally and don’t like cleaning up, a less-expensive brush probably is the wiser investment.

How can you distinguish between a good-quality brush and one of lesser quality? There are several ways. Among 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 can also 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 many.

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 to grip.

Paint pads are a good way to spread a lot of paint quickly without the splattering rollers can cause. Pads are also handy in corners because their guided edges keep paint from smudging adjacent surfaces.

Foam or disposable brushes are good, convenient alternatives for painters looking for quick work or easy cleanup.