When buying supplies for a house painting project, most people will grab whichever paint brush is on sale because it's hard to justify spending upwards of $20 on one if you don't understand the difference between them.
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Is it worth paying a premium for a top-shelf brush? I believe it is. A good brush can make a real difference by giving you a better quality finish and even cutting down on the amount of effort it will take you to finish the job.
In this week's article I'll explain why, and try to make sense of the ridiculously large selection you'll be faced with when you go to purchase one.
Generally speaking, there are two types of bristles that brushes are made of: natural and synthetic.
Natural Bristle
You will usually see these labeled as 'China Bristle' brushes on the shelf because they're made from Chinese hog hair. You'll also find them in two varieties -- white china bristle & black china bristle.
Black china bristle brushes are used for oil-based paints, stains, and some varnishes. White china bristle brushes typically produce a smoother finish so they're suitable not just for oil-based paint, stain, and varnish, but also for polyurethane, lacquer, and shellac.
You may also run across an ox-hair brush as well. Although not nearly as common as China bristle, the bristles are softer and thinner.
Natural bristle brushes are not generally recommended for water-based coatings because the bristles absorb water, become limp and lose their shape.
Synthetic Bristle
Synthetic bristle brushes are the preferred brush for water-based paints, though some are also rated for use with oil-based paints. The solvents used in some oil-based products will attack synthetic bristles, causing them to warp, curl, or dissolve and break apart into your paint finish. The most widely-used synthetic bristle brushes are made from either a nylon/polyester blend or Dupont™️ Chinex®️.
Chinex® is a modified nylon bristle developed by the Dupont company and used by many brush manufacturers as an alternative to natural bristle brushes for oil-based and latex paint. It has similar performance to China bristle but cleans-up faster and easier, has longer brush-life, and holds it's shape and stiffness better.
Nylon/poly blend bristles are also great for applying water-based paint. Higher-quality synthetic brushes have either sanded tips designed to cut an extremely sharp paint line, or have split (also called "flagged") tips that hold more paint.
The benefit of buying a brush that holds more paint is that it will increase your productivity and cut down on the amount of times you have to dip into your bucket.
The ferrule is the metal band that holds the bristles to the handle. Quality brushes have ferrules that are made of stainless or brass-plated steel so they won't rust, and are usually screwed or riveted on to the brush rather than simply slipped-on and glued in place.
Good brushes will typically have a wood handle rather than one made of plastic.
Brushes come in sizes ranging from 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3", up-to 4" widths. Although you can also find artist brushes for very small areas, or large deck & fence brushes for the big jobs.
You've probably noticed that some brush bristles are flat across the end while others are angled. Angled brushes are easier to use to get into tighter areas like corners or where walls meet ceilings on an interior painting project. While flat brushes are often preferred when applying paint over a larger area like when you're painting the siding on your house.
If you're wondering about the variety of shapes and sizes of handles that are available, it's really a matter of personal preference. When you're at the store feel free to pick them all up and see how they feel in your hand.
I've known painters who've had brushes that they use every day, and have had them in service for many years. The key to a long brush life is in the cleaning and care of it.
First of all, when you're using your brush to apply paint, the closer you can keep the paint concentrated in the lower third of the bristles the easier it will be to clean. If you fill the entire length of the bristles and get paint into the ferrule it will become very difficult to maintain. Be sure to not let the paint dry in the bristles. If you're going to be taking a break for lunch, wrap the brush tightly in plastic to keep it from drying out. When you're breaking at the end of the day you need to clean it.
When it's time to clean the brush, you'll need to use whichever solvent is required for the type of paint that you're applying. For oil-based paint you will use paint thinner or mineral spirits to clean the bristles, and for latex paint you'll use water with a pumice-based cleaner (like Lava, Fast Orange, etc.) or any other kind of liquid soap if you don't have it.
Using the solvent, work a brush comb through the bristles until all of the paint has been removed. Give the brush a final rinse or two in some clean solvent until all of the residual paint is completely gone.
Use a brush spinner to remove all of the excess liquid solvent from the bristles. Place the newly-cleaned brush either back into the cardboard sleeve that it came in or wrap it in craft paper & secure it with a rubber band. This will maintain the proper shape of the bristles as the brush dries. Store the brush by hanging it up on a hook by the hole in it's handle.
There are several trusted manufacturers of good quality brushes. It's hard to go wrong with a Wooster, Purdy, or Corona product. But even they make "cheap" brushes to meet the needs of folks who are just not willing to shell out the cash for a good model. So, a good rule of thumb is that quality brushes will usually start at around $15 and go up from there.
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I realize that you can save yourself ten bucks by buying a throw-away, but the trade-off is that you'll also have a lower quality finish with unsightly brush marks. And to me that's just not worth the savings.
Oil painting can be an expensive hobby, especially when it comes to purchasing high-quality brushes. However, with a bit of savvy shopping and some smart tactics, you can significantly reduce your expenses. Here are our top ten practical tips on how to save money on paint brushes for oil painting, so you can focus more on creating beautiful art.
Buying a set of brushes instead of individual ones is a smart way to cut costs. This strategy is a real game-changer if you're looking for ways to save money on paint brushes for oil painting. Let's see why:
Remember, while the upfront cost of a brush set might be higher than a single brush, in the long run, it's a smarter investment. So, next time you're shopping for brushes, consider going for a set. It's a simple yet effective way to save money on paint brushes for oil painting.
Well-cared-for brushes can last for years, which translates into considerable savings over time. By taking good care of your brushes, you can extend their lifespan and save money on paint brushes for oil painting. Here are a few vital tips:
Taking care of your brushes doesn't require a lot of time or effort but can save you a great deal of money in the long run. Remember, every brush you don't have to replace is money saved. So why not make brush care a part of your painting routine?
When it comes to painting, we often believe that natural bristle brushes are the best. But have you considered synthetic brushes? They can be an effective way to save money on paint brushes for oil painting. Synthetic brushes are usually less expensive than their natural counterparts, but they still offer good results for many types of oil painting.
Here's the scoop:
While synthetic brushes may not have the same prestige as natural brushes, they're a practical and cost-effective choice for many artists. Next time you're out shopping for brushes, why not give synthetic ones a shot?
Ever thought about how to save money on paint brushes for oil painting? One practical step is to shop at discount art supply stores. These stores often offer similar products to what you'd find in high-end art shops but at a fraction of the cost. Here's why this method rocks:
So, next time you need to stock up on brushes, why not check out your local discount art supply store? You might be surprised at the gems you can find without breaking the bank!
Remember those times when you needed a specific brush but couldn't find one, and you thought about how to save money on paint brushes for oil painting? Well, buying brushes in bulk can solve both problems. Here's why:
The next time you need to replenish your brush collection, consider buying in bulk. Not only will you save money, but you'll also have a ready supply of brushes whenever you need them. Now, isn't that a win-win situation?
Do you have a collection of old brushes lying around collecting dust? If so, don't toss them out just yet. There's still life left in them! Here are some ways you can breathe new life into your old brushes and save money on paint brushes for oil painting.
So, before you throw away those old brushes, think about how they can be reused. It's not only a great way to save money on paint brushes for oil painting, but also a creative challenge to view your tools in a new light.
Alright, let's talk about high-end brushes. Sure, they might seem tempting—who doesn't want to feel like a pro with those fancy shmancy brushes? But here's the thing: when it comes to oil painting, it's not always about the price tag on your brushes.
So, next time you're shopping for brushes, don't just look at the price. Consider what you really need from your brushes, and don't be afraid to go for a less expensive option. This is an effective strategy on how to save money on paint brushes for oil painting.
Now, this might sound like an obvious tip, but you'd be surprised how many people overlook it. Comparing prices online is one of the easiest ways to save money on paint brushes for oil painting.
So, before you click that 'Buy Now' button, make sure you've done your homework. It could save you a pretty penny and offer a solution on how to save money on paint brushes for oil painting!
Believe it or not, brushes aren't the only tools you can use for oil painting. In fact, some of the best painters in the world have been known to mix it up a bit.
So, don't limit yourself to brushes alone. Experiment with different tools and see what works best for you. You might just discover a new favorite—and save some money in the process.
If you're a regular at your local art supply store, or if you often find yourself shopping online for new brushes and art materials, joining an art supply membership program could be a game-changing move for you.
Many art supply stores—both physical and online—offer membership programs. When you join, you often get access to special discounts, sales, and promotions. This means you could score your oil painting brushes at a significantly lower price!
But wait, there's more! Some of these programs also offer reward points for every purchase. You can accumulate these points over time and later exchange them for discounts or even free items. Imagine getting a brand new set of oil painting brushes without spending a dime. Now that's what I call a win!
So, the next time you're at your favorite art supply store or shopping online, ask about their membership programs. It might be the key to saving big bucks on your oil painting brushes.
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