Choosing the Best Application Tool : Brushes

Want a quality paint job? No question that one solution is to use quality tools! Here, we focus particularly on brushing. A high quality brush results in a smoother finish. It allows you to load more paint and also lay down more paint. The resulting smoother, thicker film leads to a more durable finish! In part, the smoother finish will collect less dirt and (particularly in exterior) would greatly improve mildew growth.

Here are some helpful tips from the experts at the Paint Quality Institute on choosing a quality painting brush that will help make your next project an unqualified success.

Brushes are available in two basic types: those made with natural bristles, and those with synthetic bristles. Natural-bristle brushes should be used only when applying alkyd or oil-based paints. (If you use a natural-bristle brush to apply a latex paint, the bristles will absorb the water from the paint, rendering them limp and difficult to work with.) Synthetic-bristle brushes can be used to apply latex paints, and many can also be used with alkyd products.

Quality brushes share the following characteristics:

• they have split or "flagged" ends and are flexible at their tips, which helps produce a finer finish-,

• they are tapered such that the bristles in the center are slightly longer than those at the edge, which helps lay the paint down smoothly and evenly;

• they typically are at least one and a half times as long as they are wide (for example, the bristles on a 2"-wide
brush should be at least 3" in length).

The reason it is important to use quality brushes is that, compared to economy brushes, they apply paint in a thicker, smoother film, which provides maximum hiding and sheen uniformity. Conversely, lower quality brushes often leave ridges in the paint where dirt can collect and mildew can grow; paint with brushmarks in it can even fail earlier in the "thin spots."

Captures similar white paint brushed onto black and white test charts. Paint on right has poor flow which results in more brush marks and poorer hiding.

Keep in mind that different brushes serve different purposes. A 4" brush with tightly packed bristles in a 3/4" to 1" thickness is best for general exterior painting, while a 3" brush serves most general interior painting purposes. A 2" brush can be used to cut-in corners for interior work. An angled sash brush, 1" to 2 1/2" wide, is ideal for painting both interior and exterior trim, window frames and moldings.

Some useful brushing tips:

• Prime brush before painting by dipping in
  brush in water (for latex paint) or paint thinner
  (for solvent based paint).
• Tap off and remove excess paint (minimize use of
  rim to rub off excess paint).
• Apply latex paint heavily – do not overwork!
• Brush from wet to dry and finish stroke by
  brushing back to wet.

In a future newsletter we will discuss proper selection of brushes for today’s lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.