Use only the Best Painting Tools
Today, paintbrushes, paint rollers and painting equipment are manufactured to the highest standards and it pays to invest in the best quality.
18/01/2020
The tools we use for painting and decorating have been around for quite some time, but it's only in the last 10 years or so that we have seen a drastic improvement in the quality and range of painting equipment available. Nowadays, the painting equipment you use should be all about making it easier and faster to do the job, while allowing you to achieve a professional finish.
Using the best paintbrush
It might seem a bit odd to talk about using only the best paintbrush for your painting project, after all, a paintbrush is a paintbrush, right?
- Economy Paintbrushes
Today, most paintbrushes have synthetic bristles, but only a quality paintbrush will offer “no-bristle-loss”. Even an economy paintbrush can be used not only to apply acrylic or PVA paints but also oil-based paints. These brushes can also be used on a variety of surfaces and easily cleaned.
You can buy them singly or in economy packs containing a range of sizes, but, ultimately, you get what you pay. I prefer to purchase economy packs of paintbrushes when I do paint jobs such as applying a sealer, oil or treatment to outdoor timber, where I'm not going to be bothered to go to the effort of cleaning the brushes with lacquer thinners.
Economy paintbrushes are perfect when you only plan on using the brush for a specific project, but these brushes do shed their bristles, especially after a few uses.
- Quality Paintbrushes
Quality paintbrushes may be more expensive, but last longer and give a more professional finish - one that will not be marred by loose bristles. A quality brush also holds the paint better and makes painting easier, with fewer brush stokes on the finish.
Many quality paintbrushes come with a stainless steel ferrule that won't rust over time and this also helps to hold the bristles better, keeping their shape and form for longer. However, regular cleaning is necessary to keep them in good condition.
- Natural or synthetic bristles
While most brushes have synthetic bristles,
when you need a good spreadability and fine
finish, natural bristles will provide this.
If you are unsure about using natural or
synthetic bristles for a painting project, most
manufacturers will recommend the type of
paintbrush to be used for applying a specific
product - so read the manufacturer's guidelines
on the tin.
Natural bristle brushes are often used with varnishes, oils, fibreglass, glues and resins. Ones with unpainted wooden handles are meant for resins and solvents that would dissolve any paint on the handles. Natural bristle brushes are the best for oil-based paints (but not latex paints, which need synthetic bristles).
- Size of paintbrush
The size of the paintbrush will be determined by the surface being painted, but you can use the below as a guideline to selecting the right paintbrush.
25mm width – For small jobs and touch-ups, as well as narrow trim or surfaces.
38mm width - Use for painting furniture, interior trim, window or door frames
50mm width - larger surface areas, including doors, tabletops, and cabinets
75mm width - large surface areas such as decking planks or floorboards, skirting boards or wide trim, fence posts
Conclusion
The next time you pop into your local Builders store in search of paintbrushes, take the time to browse what's on the shelf. Builders stock a wide selection of both economy and quality paintbrushes and you will want to select the best brush for your painting project.
If you are buying a quality paintbrush, look after it with regular and intensive cleaning and store with the bristles hanging down so that it keeps its shape. You only need dishwashing liquid and warm water to clean water-based paint products, or you can invest in a brush conditioner to extend the lifespan of your quality brushes.
