Paintbrushes

The choice of a paintbrush depends on the product used and the size of the surface to be painted. But, the most important factor when choosing a paintbrush is quality. A high-quality paintbrush costs more, but holds more paint, keeps its bristles in place, makes painting easier, leaves fewer streaks, and lasts longer when properly maintained. Which one to choose among the wide variety available on the market? Four factors must be considered when choosing a paintbrush: type of bristles, ferrule, form and size.

Natural or synthetic bristles?

Natural bristles are made of boar hair. Because they are resistant to thinners, they are recommended for solvent-based coatings and varnishes. However, they are not recommended for water-based coatings as they absorb water, swell, and lose their elasticity. Synthetic bristles are better suited for water-based coatings as they absorb less water than natural bristles do.

Synthetic bristles are made of nylon or polyester. Nylon bristles are more flexible and more resistant than polyester bristles, but are not resistant to heat and certain chemical products. Although polyester bristles are stiffer, they have a higher ability to maintain their shapes than nylon bristles and are more heat-resistant. Today, some paintbrushes are made of a combination of nylon and polyester. Synthetic bristles last longer and are easier to clean than natural bristles. They can be used with water- and solvent-based coatings.

The best paintbrushes are made of bristles with split edges. Natural bristle ends are naturally split whereas synthetic bristle edges are mechanically split. Split edges hold more paint and put on a smoother coating with no dripping when dipped into the container.

Ferrule

The ferrule is the metal band that holds the bristles together and binds them to the handle. It should be made of stainless steel because of its rustproof property.

Shapes and Sizes

Paintbrushes are designed for particular functions and can be obtained in a variety of shapes, such as, angular, straight, rounded, tapered, oval, bevelled, etc. The shapes of handles also vary, they can be wide, narrow, long, screw-on type, etc.

The angular paintbrush is used to trace fine lines and cut clean even edges. Precision is required when cutting in surfaces or painting narrow surfaces. The straight paintbrush is used when precision is not required, for example, when painting large surfaces after cutting in is completed. The round paintbrush is useful for curved surfaces, for example, on mouldings, railings or pipes. The paintbrush with a tapered tip has long bristles in the center, which are surrounded by shorter ones. First-quality, professional and high-end angular and straight paintbrushes essentially possess this characteristic. This shape of paintbrushes contributes to applying paint more precisely and evenly.

We hold the paintbrush in several different ways depending on the type of work we are doing. This is why, as a rule, the shape of the handle is related to the shape of the paintbrush. So, angular and rounded paintbrushes generally have a long or a narrow handle and the straight paintbrush has a wider or a screw-on handle. Width, length and thickness also play an important role in the choice of a paintbrush. How wide should a paintbrush be when painting a surface? There is a simple basic rule: choose a paintbrush as wide as possible to work quickly, but slightly narrower than the area to be covered. Most paintbrush widths vary between 30 and 100 mm (1 in. and 4 in.), and recommendations vary from one expert to another. If you are comparing paintbrushes of the same width, choose one with the longest and thickest bristles as it holds more paint. The main characteristics of paintbrushes are listed on the chart that follows: