Selecting the Right Paint Tools

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Brush Proportions All brushes should be at least 1 1/2 times as long as they are wide For a consistent, long-lasting finish, you need to apply paint and coatings with high-quality application equipment. Better-quality brushes, rollers, and applicators tend to apply a thicker, more uniform, longer-lasting coat of paint than paint applied with cheap equipment. Top-quality equipment also speeds up and simplifies your work. The tools you require will depend on the type of project you are doing and the type of paint you are applying. Still, some simple guidelines hold true for any quality paint job. Types of Brushes There are two general categories of paintbrush—those made of natural-hair bristles and those made with synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester. If you are working with alkyd or oil-based paints and coatings, you can use either natural bristle brushes or synthetic bristle brushes. However, high-quality natural bristle brushes work best when applying enamels or any topcoat. When applying any type of latex coating, use only brushes with synthetic bristles. No matter how much water they are exposed to, they hold their shape and maintain proper stiffness. Top quality polyester brushes are well worth the initial cost. When properly cleaned and stored, they will continue to apply paint smoothly and uniformly for years to come. Which Brushes Do You Need? Whether you are doing interior or exterior painting, make sure that you match the size and shape of your brushes to the job at hand: Use large brushes to cover large surfaces, small brushes to cover small areas. To do most jobs properly, so take the time to match the brush to the job. Match the right brush to the job to get the best paint application possible. For large exterior surfaces, use a 4"-wide (100mm) flat brush with a thickness of 3/4" to 1" (25mm to 3mm).   To cut in at the corners of exterior and interior walls, use a 2"-wide (50mm) brush with tapered edges.   For exterior and interior woodwork and molding, use brushes between 1" (3Omm) and 2 1/2" (60mm) wide.   For precise painting of exterior and interior window frames and trim, use angled sash brushes between 1" (30mm) and 2 1/2" (60mm) wide.   For interior walls and ceilings, use brushes between 3" (75mm) and 4" (100mm) wide. Selecting a Quality Brush How can you identify a high-quality paintbrush? Pay attention to the bristles. They should • have split ends, to create a finer, more even finish; • have a definite flex at their tips, to enable them to spring back into shape; • be shorter on the outside and longer in the center, to provide more control over where the paint is applied; and • measure at least half again as long as the width of the brush (for example, the bristles on a 2"-wide (50mm) brush should be 3" (75mm) or more in length). In addition, tug on the bristles before you purchase a brush. If more than one or two bristles can be pulled out, the brush is probably poorly constructed. Finally, make sure the brush feels comfortable in your hand. If a brush is well made and well cared for, it will last for years, so make sure you can use it comfortably.

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