Traditional paint brushes can be costly and time-consuming to maintain. The process of cleaning and replacing the bristles can take a considerable amount of time and effort. This is where a paintbrush with removable bristle refills can be advantageous. By allowing you to remove and replenish the bristles, this type of paintbrush can help you save time and money while also reducing waste.
A simple guide to choosing a paint brush
A job is only as easy as you make it and it’s important that you have the right tools for the job.
Choosing the right paint brush plays a big part in the speed and quality of completing a job as the results do vary based on the type of brush you use. There’s a famous saying ‘a poor workman always blames his tool’ but in this case, the job would look pretty poor without high-quality paint brushes to hand.
It’s important to remember that good paint brushes, when properly cared for, can be used over and over again. You’ll want to keep your paint brushes in tip-top condition because constantly buying new ones will eat away at your bottom line.
First of all, skip out all the cheap brushes. You are a professional, and you want to leave your customers happy and to leave you a shining review, or even a recommendation to their friends and family. It may be tempting to go for the budget option, but a good paint brush will hold more paint and apply it more evenly. You don’t want to be brushing off criticism because you opted for a cheaper paint brush.
But what size paintbrush do you actually need for different types of paint application? We’ve put together a quick guide to help you fill your decorating tool kit with all the quality brushes you need for a successful job.
Best paintbrush for cutting in and painting edges
Cutting in and painting edges requires a more specialist paint brush. You need to select a high-quality angled bristle paint brush which is better for cutting in, rather than trying to cut in with a flat brush.
A 35 mm paintbrush is the perfect size to work into those small tricky areas and will allow you to maneuver the brush a lot better.
Best paint brush for wide trims and sashes
If you’re painting sashes, any wide trims or piece of furniture, a 3-inch bristle paint brush will provide a smooth finish. A strong bristle brush will provide more shape retention and a more precise finish.
Best Paint Brush for painting walls and ceilings
For larger areas, such as walls and ceiling, you’ll want to pick up a high-quality 6-inch bristle paint brush. Whilst rollers have there uses when covering larger areas in a short amount of time, a brush will give you a smoother and better finish. Having both a roller and a quality 6-inch paint brush in your decorator’s tool kit is the way to be ready for all types of jobs.
How to clean your paint brush
Proper cleaning is essential to ensure that your paint brushes last longer than a couple of jobs. It can be a drain on your wallet if you keep having to fork out your hard earned cash for new paint brushed every couple of weeks. Quality paint brushes improve with use and this is the case for most bristle brushes. Synthetic brushes will not last as long and will start to leave you with a rough and untidy finish.
Here are some quick steps you can take to make your paint brushes last longer:
- Clean your paint brushes thoroughly after use with warm soapy water (for water-based paints). If you’re using oil-based paints it will require purpose-made solvent remover
- Work the correct cleaning liquid through the bristles until the paint has become loose then sp[in the brush to remove as much liquid as possible
- Once dry, place the brush back in its original packaging so that it keeps its shape.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT PAINT BRUSH AND AFTERCARE
Regarding the type of paint, you can, of course, check the paint can and also the cleaning instructions. If the paint cleans off in water, it is water-based paint, and if it needs solvent, then it is oil-based paint.
• Water-based paint requires a synthetic brush. Wet the brush through and then spin it before adding the paint
• Solvent-based paint can be applied with a synthetic brush, but professional painters prefer a natural bristle. The natural bristle needs to be broken in to produce the best results, so for infrequent use, a synthetic bristle is ideal for using straight from the packet
When it comes to selecting the width of paintbrush to use – the following guide can be used:
• ¾” angled brush is the best for windows. It is easy to get into the corners with this small brush and use a paint kettle too so you only have a small amount of paint to move around.
• 1” brush makes light work of door frames, stairway spindles and small edges.
• 1 ½” brushes are best for larger door frames and skirting boards.
• 2” brush should be used for cupboard doors and dado rails.
• 2 ½” brushes are excellent for painting panelled doors, beams and large furniture.
• 3” and 4” are reserved for larger objects like garage doors and floors.
Tips for getting the best results when painting
Use angled brushes whenever details are small; the point helps to paint with precision. To speed painting up, use the widest brush possible for the area you are painting. Between coats of paint, wrap the brushes in plastic wrap so the brushes don’t dry out. Having a variety of brushes to hand helps to speed up the work, and it enables you to complete the job more effectively. To create a brush-mark free finish, ‘lay off’ the paint by passing just the tips of your brush over the wet paint surface to remove any lines.
Look after your paintbrushes
Quality paint brushes improve with use so it is important to look after them well. Take time to clean brushes thoroughly after use – for water-based paint warm, soapy water is best, and oil-based paint requires a purpose-made solvent remover. Work the correct liquid through the bristles until all the paint has been worked loose, then spin the brush to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Spinning can be done by hand, or by using a professional brush spinner. The next step is to comb the bristles with a paint brush comb, or a dog comb works too, then lay the brush flat to dry. Treat the bristles with fabric conditioner or hair conditioner to prolong the life of the brush further. Once it is completely dry, put the brush back into its original packaging to keep the correct shape – some professional even place their brushes in a vapour box to keep them in tip-top condition.
At Hamilton, we, of course, have a wide selection of paintbrushes and with varying sizes. You can view all our ranges by visiting our Hamilton Paint Brush section.
Paint Brush Sizes: Choosing the Right Bristle for Your Painting Needs
As a painter, choosing the right paint brush size is crucial to achieving the best results. With so many different sizes available, it can be challenging to know which one to choose for your specific painting needs. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of paint brush sizes and how to choose the right one for your painting project, including the benefits of using a paintbrush with removable bristle refills .
The Importance of Paint Brush Sizes
Paint brush sizes determine the width and coverage of the brush stroke, as well as the level of detail that can be achieved. Larger brushes are ideal for painting larger surfaces, such as walls, while smaller brushes are better suited for detailed work and intricate designs. Choosing the right size can help you achieve the desired effect and make your painting process more efficient.
Traditional paint brushes can be costly and time-consuming to maintain. The process of cleaning and replacing the bristles can take a considerable amount of time and effort. This is where a paintbrush with removable bristle refills can be advantageous. By allowing you to remove and replenish the bristles, this type of paintbrush can help you save time and money while also reducing waste.
Choosing the Right Paint Brush Size
- Surface area: For larger surfaces, a wider brush, such as the 2.50 inch brush , will cover more area and make your painting process more efficient.
- Detail work: For detailed work, a smaller brush, such as the 1.20 inch brush , is necessary to achieve the desired effect.
- Cutting in: For painting edges and corners, a cutting in brush, such as the 1.75 inch brush , is ideal as it allows for precise strokes and detailed work.
Most professional painters use a 2.5 inch brush as it is the handiest. The 2 inch brush is also convenient but in the end it is a personal preference that determines which is the right fit for you.
It’s also important to consider the type of paint you’ll be using, as certain paints may require a specific type of brush. For example, oil-based paints may require a natural bristle brush, while water-based paints may work better with synthetic bristle brushes .
