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If you walk into a store to purchase a
paintbrush, chances are that you will get
overwhelmed and end up buying the first
brush you can get your hands on. You’ll then
head home, start your project and end up
cursing your brush as it frays, clumps and
generally tries to sabotage your painting
project.
Understanding paint brushes is a big part
of making sure you have the right tools for
the right painting project. It also helps you
understand what you are paying for when
you purchase a more expensive paint brush
and why this more expensive paint brush
will likely save you a lot of time and even
money.
KNOW The Parts
Before you can talk much about paint
brushes, you need to understand what all
the different parts of the brush are (there is
more to a brush than bristles and a handle)!
Handle
: While it may seem
incredibly basic, the handle
is the part of the brush that
you hold onto and makes a
huge difference in the feel
of the brush, especially if you are using it for
long hours. Handles are typically made out of
plastic or wood with wood typically being the
material of choice for higher quality brushes.
Ferrule
: The ferrule is the
metal strip in between the
handle and the bristles that
holds the two together. A
quality ferrule should hold
the bristles in without any coming off
while painting.
Tapered Ends:
A taper on
a brush means that when
looking straight across the
ends of the bristles of the
brush, they will form a slight
tip (usually right in the middle of the brush).
Note: this is not referring to a sash or angle
brush but more a slight tip forming across the
entire brush. A higher quality brushwill have a
tapered end where a cheaper brush will have
a flat cut (like a buzz cut). A tapered end will
help the paint flow off the brush better and
help you to cut sharper lines.
Bristle Width:
The bristle
width is another important
thing to consider when
choosing the right paint
brush. Paint brush widths
that you will most commonly find are 1D –
3D with some specialty brushes being up
to 5 inches. Typically smaller width brushes
are great for delicate work and small hard
to reach areas while the wider 2-3 inch
brushes are great for cutting in ceiling and
trim as you won’t have to dip these brushes
back into your paint as often.
Width also refers to the fatness of the
brush. Some paint brushes are thin while
others are thick. A thicker brush is better if
you plan on painting large surfaces with the
brush while thinner brushes are better for
simply cutting in and around things.
Next time you step into the hardware, you
will know how to pick your brush.
Happy Painting!
KNOW YOUR
BRUSH
JUST BECAUSE...
KNOW THE Bristles
Bristles are really what create the
differences between brushes. You may
see different handles and ferrules, but in
the end, it’s the bristles that are the truly
important part of any paint brush.
Bristles:
The bristles are
the part of the brush that
hold the paint and release it
onyour paintingsurface. The
bristles can be made from
different types of material with each being
better suited for different applications. The
bristles are also cut different depending on
quality and intended use.
Bristle Cuts:-
Flat Cut:
Flat cut brushes
are where all the bristles are
cut to the same length. If you
hold the handle of your brush
straight up and down all the bristles will be
the same length (except for a small variation
at the tip if it is tapered, see below). These
brushes are great general purpose brushes
and are ideal for painting larger surfaces such
as doors, windows and trim.
Sash (angle) Cut:
A
sash cut brush is when the
bristles form an angle going
up. If you hold your brush
handle straight up you will
see a variation (usually about inch worth)
between the ends of the bristles. Sash
brushes tend to give you more control over
your brush lines. Sash brushes are great
for cutting in ceiling and anywhere else you
need sharp lines.
Article by Shitawa Bah
