There are as many different types of paint brushes as there are things to paint and within each type there are different grades, fibers and products that distinguish a good brush from a bad one.
Along with painting there are other uses for brushes like applying paint strippers, degreasers or solvents and cleaning tools.
First lets look at how the type of fibers and their coarseness are related to the work you are doing. There are many different fiber types for bristle brushes everything from steel and brass to polyester, nylon or natural fibers which are animal hair. The type of work you are doing will decide which fiber and what coarseness that you should pick.
General Rule of Fiber Stifness
If you are working on brick, concrete or rough wood siding you should use a stiff coarse and durable fiber, either a nylon or natural fiber that won’t break down due to abrasion. If you are applying paint or stain to furniture you want to use a bristle that is very soft to hide the brush strokes.
Natural vs Man Made Fibers
Some painters feel that a natural hogs hair fiber lasts longer in general trim and home painting but man made fibers have advanced far enough in the past 10 years that their lower cost outweighs the slight benefit found with natural fibers. You might also want to take into account that every brush made of natural fibers means an animal needs to die.
Natural Bristles are available in very stiff brushes that will show strokes while you are painting to very soft bristles like ox hair for use with varnishes and top coats. For the most part Natural Fibers are not recomended for use with waterbased paints because they react to water the same way your hair does. Many painters like using Natural Fiber Brushes because they provide a texture.
Nylon Fibers can be found in many different fiber thicknesses and they are a good alternative to natural hogs hair while also providing great resistance to chemicals and can be used with latex based paints without problem. Depending on your project you may want to use a Nylon Brush with Epoxy, Enamels, Oils or other harsher paints. DuPont has made a line of “Chinex” fibers that will closely approximate the same quality of hogs hair while also being chemical resistant.
Polyester Fibers are similar to Nylon and are probably the best choice for general refinishing they work well with latex, oil and enamel finishes. Poly fibers are resistant to chemicals but maybe not to the point that Nylon is. If you are doing a lot of work with harsh chemicals then nylon might be better but for general work Polyester can cost a little less and provide a good finish with all coating types.
Brush Shapes and Sizes
For the most part you want to match the brush size and shape to the item that you are working on. If you are painting 4 inch wide siding then you should use a flat 4 inch brush so you an apply the paint in one stroke. If you are working on smaller areas you have the choice of using flat brushes to cover main areas and rounds and pointed brushes to get into detailed areas. Chiseled or shaped end brushes can allow more control when working on detailed areas.
Brush length and thickness has a lot to do with the amount of paint it can hold. If you are choosing between two 4 inch wide brushes you would want to use the thicker and longer brush if you were painting larger areas such as siding on a house. If you are working with a smaller project like a table top a thinner shorter brush would give you better control and reduce waste.
Sponge Brushes
Maybe they should really be called sponge applicators and not brushes but for some work a sponge brush will provide you with really fast smooth application and a brush that you can toss when you are done. Honestly they have their place in your toolbox but they are really best used for small jobs using water based paints. If you have a hole in some drywall and don’t want to deal with clean up after then grab one and it should give you decent results. Then again a good brush isn’t that hard to take care of and will save you money in the long run.
Specialty Brushes
There are a number of specialty brush types that you will come across. Everything from long thin brushes for painting pinstripes on a car to chemical brushes with solvent pump tubes to clean parts. The idea is to match these or any brush to the work you are doing. For general work you can pickup a nylon / polyester brush set for about $15 and it will include different sizes and shapes to get most projects done but when you find yourself in a special situation spend the money and get a brush that will best do the job.
The YouRepair Store carries a full line of painting tools and brushes for your next project. Our prices are heavily discounted and look for free shipping on orders over $25.