Push The Button To Ask A Question!
Professional Paint Brush - Clean Paint Brush
Posted by: Dawn - THAT Painter Lady in Painting Tools and Books
Hi,
I want to invest in some good brushes for when I will be cutting in edges.
Can you tell me what is a good professional paint brush and what product to use to clean paint brush that will keep my brushes in great shape?
Choosing The Right Paint Brush
This can be an overwhelming task for any homeowner, because of the many options that are being offered in all the different stores.
You ask yourself - which one is better?
Does it matter if I buy the one that is a little cheaper?
How long will it last?
Do I need to use a different brush outside than outside?
Well, I am going to try to answer a few of these questions. First, I will start with the difference between natural & synthetic brushes.
Exterior Paint Brush - If using an exterior oil based paint you can use either a natural or synthetic brush. The natural brush would be my first choice though, because the oil paint will hold better to the natural bristles. Unlike the nylon/polyester brushes, the natural is more porous.
Interior Paint Brush - Most interior painting is done with latex (water based) paint. You will need to use a synthetic brush for this type of work.
Brush Sizes - You will want to use a medium to wide brush (3 - 4″) for most outside work. Outside work is done in large strokes, with little detail, so a bigger paintbrush will do the job faster. For interior work you will want a narrower brush (1 1/2″ - 2 1/2″) for the interior. I like to use angled brushes for all my cutting in work.
Brush Handles - Wooden handles are better than plastic handles. They will last much longer. A few of the brush companies have come out with shorter handled brushes which are easier to work with when cutting in. I like to use those because they can reach into tight spots.
Brush Quality - As a professional painter, I like to buy the more expensive brushes as opposed to the cheaper ones. It is a good investment to buy a brush for $20 - $30 instead of a $5 brush. They will last forever, especially if you clean them well. I have had a few of my brushes for over 10 years. They get a lot of use too, because I paint for a living. One tip to know if a brush is not a good quality is if the bristles come out while you are painting. There is nothing worse than having to pick them off of your already painted surface and then have to go back and touch up where the bristle was. You can avoid this completely by buying a good quality brush.
Tip - Never leave a brush sitting in water. It will cause the ferrule will expand and cause the brush to lose its shape.
Cleaning Your Paint Brushes So They Will Last
- Wipe off excess paint with a rag, gently squeezing the bristles from the ferrule edge outwards. This will help remove paint from the brush. Try to avoid pulling on the bristles.
- Rinse the brush in turpentine or mineral spirits if using oil based paint or lukewarm water if using latex (water-based) paint. Never use hot water as it can expand the ferrule, causing the hairs to fall out.
- Wipe the brush on a rag again to remove the last bit of paint.
- Wash gently with soap and water. Use a mild bar soap rather than dish washing liquid. Dab the brush gently onto the piece of soap, then work up a lather.
- Rinse and repeat until there’s no trace of any paint coming out. Brushes can become stained over time, but don’t stop rinsing until you’re sure there’s no paint left.
- Shake off the water in the sink.
- Re-shape the brush bristles with your fingers into its original shape.
- You may want to wrap the bristles in a paper towel while the brush is still wet. When the paper dries it’ll contract, pulling the bristles into shape.
- Leave brush to dry at room temperature. Do not let it rest on the bristles, because that can cause it to loose its shape. Standing it on the back of the handle is best.
Good Luck choosing a professional paint brush… THAT Painter Lady - Dawn
Entries (RSS)