Putting a coat of paint on walls is an exciting project. It has a way of giving a room new life and you’ve been wanting to give the walls of your Vancouver home a fresh look. After careful consideration, shuffling through swatches, and a few trips back and forth to the paint store, you’ve selected the perfect colour or two for the job. We’re excited for you, but (and you knew this was coming) pause for a moment and let’s talk brushes and rollers.
Know Your Paint
Before putting a bunch of brushes on the checkout counter, make sure that what you have selected is right for the type of paint you will be using.
Let’s Talk Bristles
If you’re working with oil-based paints and finishes, Natural Bristle brushes, made of animal hairs are what you want. The bristles naturally “flag” which means that their fuzzy tips split easily. This helps to hold the paint when the brush is dipped into the can and it ensures a smooth release and finish when applied to the wall.
Blended nylon/polyester brushes are your go-to if the plan is to use latex paint or other materials that can be cleaned up with water. They are easy to work with and easy to clean. These brushes are also quite durable and if they are carefully cleaned and dried, they will be available for multiple projects.
You can also go with straight Polyester brushes, or if you want to spend a little more money, Chinex brushes, which have been designed for optimal performance and ease of clean-up. They hold their shape and stiffness allowing for smooth and consistent paint application.
Bigger Isn’t Better
After choosing the right bristle type, it’s time to consider the size of your project. A four or five inch brush is perfect for large, flat areas, where a small brush of one to two inches is the way to go when you’re painting windows and other small trim. Glossy paints on places like doors and cabinets will require a three-inch brush.
The Ends Of The Brushes
The slanted bristles on the edge of a Chiseled End brush are perfect for painting a straight line in those tricky corners and along edges. Square Trim bristles have ends that are cut straight and if you’re planning on painting a large surface like a wall, this is the brush you need. If you have a few windows you’re going to be painting around, the Angled brush is the choice you’ll never regret making.
And Finally, Brush Styles
When you’re painting trim you’ll definitely need the Thin Angle Sash style of brush. Delicate work requires bristles that are slanted and thin. The Angle Sash is a bit larger and thicker and also appropriate for trim work. These brushes are quite different from the Wall Brush, which is the other end of the size spectrum. This one is ideal for painting wide surfaces because it’s large, thick and capable of holding a lot of paint. The other two brushes to consider are the Flat Sash with straight bristles that are perfect for flat surfaces, and the Trim brush, which is also flat and perfect for exterior surfaces.
Cost
You don’t need to re-mortage the house when buying brushes, but we recommend that you purchase the most expensive brushes that your budget will allow. Higher quality brushes tend to last longer, hold more paint, deliver a smoother finish and are easier to
clean up.
Finally
Whew! And here you thought choosing the right paint was a lot to think about! Don’t be overwhelmed with all the brush choices. Two or three good quality paint brushes are more than enough to tackle the jobs in your home and if you clean and dry them well, they’ll be around for years. We are your Vancouver painting company and are happy to answer any questions you may have. If you have decided you’d rather hire a residential painting contractor, we’d be delighted to meet with you and provide a free
quote. Give us a call today!
