The right brush can make all the difference between success and failure. These paint brushes can be held in many different ways to enhance paint application with the least amount of stress and discomfort to the wrist and forearm.
With the different sizes and the different angles, you will be able to achieve favorable results by using the right brush for the project you are attempting. A high quality paint brush benefits all painters by providing a beautiful finish with little effort.
BRUSH STYLES: Generally there are four different types of paint brushes.
1. WALL BRUSH: A flat Wall Paint Brush has a thicker, shorter beaver tail handle, with longer bristles. It is used to apply paint to large areas. Be sure to choose the right size brush for the area to be covered with paint.
2. ANGLE SASH BRUSH: An Angle Sash Paint Brush has a narrow, long, thin handle with trimmed bristles. The edge of an Angle Sash Paint Brush is at a 14 degree angle. The angular design allows you extra control when painting.
3. FLAT SASH BRUSH: A Flat Sash Paint Brush has a narrow, long, thin handle with trimmed bristles. The thin handle on a sash paint brush makes it easy to turn and control. Some painters use a flat sash brush for painting trim work.
4. SPECIALTY BRUSHES: A Specialty Paint Brush comes in many different sizes and shapes. These brushes can be used in many countless ways, and for many different applications. They're used for hobbies & craft projects, or for all your wallpaper projects, such as applying wallpaper adhesive to decorative wallpaper borders.
2" NATURAL-BRISTLE PAINT BRUSH This 2" angular sash paint brush is made of natural china white bristles and is used for oil-based paints, like primers, stains and shellacs. White bristles are softer and more flexible than black bristles, providing you with the smoothest finish with virtually no brush-marks. Use the china bristle, oil brush when painting wood furniture, baseboards, crown moldings, doors and door frames. MATCH THE PAINT BRUSH TO YOUR PROJECT:
Choosing the right paint brush for your project is not very difficult. First you must select the size you think will fit the surface for which you will be painting. Most painting projects require at least two paint brushes: a small paint brush for detail work, and a larger brush for covering large areas.
1" to 1 1/2" Angle or flat paint brush is used for narrow spaces, tight corners, very detailed areas, wallpaper repair, hobbies & crafts.
2" to 2 1/2" Angle Sash Paint Brush is used for detail work. The angular design allows you full control of the brushes tip. Professional painters use this size angular sash for a countless number of interior projects, used for painting narrow spaces, cutting-in next to the ceiling line, or cutting-in baseboard or door moldings.
2" to 2 1/2" Flat Paint Brush is used for painting baseboards, cabinets, cupboards, furniture, stairs, railings, shutters, gutters, hobby & craft projects, and many wallpaper projects.
3" to 4" Flat paint brush is used for painting exterior trim, exterior siding, masonry, decks, fences, walls, ceilings, and doors. This is also a good size for dusting woodwork after sanding, and before painting.
NOTE: A good painter always goes around the project room and sands any scratches, dents, etc., to ensure a smooth surface before beginning to paint as well as patching any holes resulting from hanged pictures no longer there or any other dents, or wall imperfections that need to be addressed long before one picks up the paint brush to paint. Even after sanding, a good painter also wipes down with a slightly moist soft cloth the walls and trim, etc. to ensure the surfaces are completely void of all dirt and debris -- otherwise the paint brush will pick up any remaining dirt or debris which becomes noticeable unfortunately once the painting is done and may require the painter to go back and redo the area as a result of the owner's punch list (a list of items the contractor has missed or completing the paint work as required on the work order as requested by the customer).
HOW TO LOAD A PAINT BRUSH:
To avoid dripping and to keep your hands and fingers clean, do not sink the paint brush up to the metal ferrule. Only dip the paint brush about halfway into the paint
After you have dipped the paint brush into the paint let it drip for a moment, then lightly tap both sides of the paint brush against the interior wall of your paint bucket. Do not use the lip of your paint bucket to scrape excess paint out of the paint brush; this is messy and counterproductive because it removes all the paint you have just loaded into your brush.
With your fully loaded paint brush always work from the unpainted area into the freshly painted section (using the cutting-in lines that should already be done as a guide) with long full strokes. When paint starts to break up without covering the surface properly it is time to load your paint brush once again. NOTE: In the case of large areas, a paint pole and roller brush will cover larger areas in the least amount of time and with the same degree of cover as with a paint brush and more efficiently so long as you follow the cutting-in lines correctly.
Of course, practice is the best teacher and "less is more" when it comes to how much paint to apply and how to apply strokes that will have the most effective look.
PARTS OF A STANDARD PAINT BRUSH:
BRISTLES: Either synthetic or natural for different applications, held together with an epoxy or "setting compound". The "butt" end is the part nearest the ferrule. The "tip" end is the part that touches the painting surface.
FERRULE: The metal piece that holds the bristles to the handle can also include a "metal insert" that helps stabilize the ferrule, and can be made of copper, stainless steel or tin plated steel.
PLUG: The wooden or cardboard piece in the bristles that acts as a divider and creates a reservoir for the liquid, they also hold the bristles correctly in the ferrule.
HANDLE: Usually made of wood or plastic, comes in a variety of different designs for different painting situations.
KEEPERS: The protective wrapper that shapes or "keeps" the bristles in their correct shape (comes with the brush at time of purchase and is usually made of folded cardboard).
PAINT HANDLE DESIGNS:
BEAVER TAIL SHORT HANDLE: The short Beaver Tail Handle is 2" long. The short handle allows you to maneuver in tight and narrow places.
BEAVER TAIL HANDLE: The standard Beaver Tail Handle is 4" long and is proper for most regular size projects. The shorter thick handle balances the weight of the brush head and provides a good firm grip.
SASH HANDLE: The Sash Handle paint brush is 6 1/2" long. The long thin sash handle is un-tapered, allowing extra control when painting, it is easy to hold, and easy to turn.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRISTLES:
BRISTLE SELECTION: Bristles come in a variety of materials and shapes for different applications.
NATURAL: Best suited for any petroleum based products.
SYNTHETIC: Work best for either water or petroleum based products.
FLAGGING: This is the process of conditioning the ends of the synthetic bristle (natural bristles do this naturally) so that it resembles "split ends". This allows the bristle to pick up and lay down the paint in a more even and uniform manner.
FLEX: This is the ability of the bristles to return to their original shape after being forced into tight areas or corners. This attribute determines the performance of the brush as it applies to particular jobs. At times less flex are required (open areas) as opposed to times when more flex is needed (window trim, etc.).
HOLLOW: Hollow bristles are lighter than solid and are much more inclined to break or bend.
LEVEL: The bristle is the same thickness the entire length. Level bristles "dump" paint as opposed to the "releasing" tapered bristles afford.
SOLID: Solid bristles are the highest quality and are the most durable.
TAPERED: The bristle is "thicker" at the butt end and thinner at the "tip" end. This allows paint to release from the bristle in a more uniform manner. Also, the pressure at the tip end is less so there are less noticeable bristle marks in the paint.
TIPPING: This is the process of grinding the bristle to a fine point using abrasive grinding wheels. This allows the brush not to "dump" paint and leave fewer brush marks.
HOW TO MAINTAIN A PAINT BRUSH :
MAINTENANCE: Immediately after use, rinse brush in solvent or paint thinner for oil base, water for latex, or alcohol for shellacs. Do not soak for extended periods. Clean the bristles occasionally to prevent unwanted buildup. Polyester bristles tend to bond to latex paint much easier than nylon. This warrants additional cleaning with soap and warm water. A painter's comb (a brush with metal bristles or spokes) that helps to clean the paint off the bristles by spreading the bristles during cleaning.
Two or more paint brushes are usually needed when doing your painting projects: one paint brush for oil-base primers and oil-base paints, used for woodwork, and, another paint brush for latex paints, used for walls and ceilings.
NOTE: The customary way to store a paint brush after using it during the workday is to wrap in plastic wrap so as to preserve the paint in its liquid form and not allow the paint on the bristles to dry and ruin the brush. Since an appreciable amount of money is invested in the proper paint brushes to complete a project, one needs to protect their investment either by cleaning the brush completely after use and put back in its cardboard wrapper for the next project or wrap them in plastic wrap to pick up where they left off the next workday.
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