Choosing the right paintbrush can make all the difference in your next project. Hardware store shelves are lined with a multitude of options; so how do you know which brush to pick? The most important factor in determining which paintbrush is best for your project depends on the type of coating you’re using.
OIL-BASED COATINGS
If you try to apply latex paint with a natural-bristle brush, the bristles will absorb the water from the paint and become extremely limp, making it difficult to spread the paint smoothly. If you try to apply chalk/clay-based paint etc. With a synthetic brush, you will likely have a. A wide variety of synthetic paint brushes options are available to you, There are 9,637 suppliers who sells synthetic paint brushes on Alibaba.com, mainly located in Asia. The top countries of suppliers are India, China, and Japan, from which the percentage of synthetic paint brushes supply is.
Natural bristle is the best choice for oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, alkyd enamels, stains, and polyurethanes. The highest quality bristles come from mainland China. Experienced, traditional painters will say there’s nothing like the finish that a China bristle paintbrush can provide for oil-based coatings. If you’re painting a smooth surface, use a white China bristle for a smooth finish or, if you need to achieve an even finer finish, a China bristle blended with ox hair is recommended. When painting a textured surface, a black China bristle will work best because it’s slightly stiffer and is excellent for high-productivity applications. If you need to paint a rough surface, natural bristle brushes are not recommended. Rough surfaces will break the tips off of natural bristle and will ruin the brush. A synthetic, firm brush is best for this application even when using oil-based coatings because it’s very durable and will resist wear on the rough surface.
WATER-BASED COATINGS
Synthetic brushes are recommended for latex and acrylic paints and water-based wood finishes. Synthetic brushes are available in a variety of filaments including Chinex®, nylon, nylon/polyester blend, and polyester. Chinex® FTP® brushes are designed for today’s paints and offer excellent paint pickup and production with a smooth, professional finish and easy cleanup. Chinex FTP brushes will maintain their stiffness for control even when exposed to heat and humidity. Nylon brushes are very durable but may soften in hot weather or after prolonged use in latex paint. Polyester brushes will maintain their shape and control when exposed to heat but have lower paint pickup and production meaning you will spend more time loading your brush than the wall. Also, today’s paints contain more acrylic resins and fast-drying solids which stick to polyester making them difficult to clean and limit the life of the brush. A nylon/polyester blend brush combines all the positive qualities of nylon (precise tipping, excellent paint pickup, and smooth finish) and polyester (added stiffness and control) and is, by far, the most popular professional paintbrush choice due to their versatility.
The Wooster Brush Company offers quality brushes for every variety of coating available, but different brushes excel in specific applications. To help you select the perfect brush for your next project, visit our Paint Brush Advisor. If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact our Customer Service Department.
As you likely know, paint brushes come in what seems like an unlimited variety of shapes and sizes, bristle types and price. Knowing the difference between natural and synthetic bristle paint brushes will help you figure out what to choose for your next DIY project.
Natural
Mac fling eyebrow. As the name suggests, natural bristle paint brushes are made from natural animal hair such as hog, sable and badger.
When to Use Natural Bristle Brushes
Natural bristle brushes are great when you are using:
- Oil-based paint
- Varnish
- Shellac
- Shellac-based primer
- Alkyd enamels
- Stain
- Polyurethane
- Chalk-based paint
- Milk paint
- Clay-based paint
Synthetic Paint Brushes Home Depot
The Good
These type of bristles actually split naturally which makes them designed to pick up, hold and distribute natural paints and can speed up painting. The soft flexibility of natural bristle brushes help to apply a thin, even layer of paint reducing streaks and distributes paint evenly. When using these brushes with natural paints (chalk/milk/clay-based) there is less chance of streaking than with synthetic brushes.
The Bad
If you are looking for precision painting, natural brushes can be difficult to use.
Natural bristle brushes also shed the first few times you use them. If you have bought a quality natural brush, the bristles should stop shedding after the second or third use.
Synthetic
Synthetic bristles are made from materials like nylon, polyester or a mix of both.
When to Use Synthetic Bristle Brushes
Synthetic bristle brushes are great when you are using: Mac big brow pencil cork paint.
- Water-based latex paints
- Water-based primers
- Gloss Paint
- Acrylic paint
- Water-based wood finishes
The Good
Nylon brushes are durable, excellent paint pickup, and smooth finish.
Polyester brushes maintain their shape and control which is great for detail work.
Nylon/Polyester blend brushes combine all the positive qualities and is the most popular choice.
The smooth texture and springiness of the bristles make for an even finish aand great for woodwork and furniture in water based satin,eggshell and gloss finishes.
Modern synthetic brushes are excellent and have the advantage of being cheaper than natural hair.
The Bad
Nylon brushes soften in hot weather or after a lot of use with latex paint. Brushes can lose the ability to create a smooth, precise finish.
Polyester brushes have a lower paint pick up which means you will need to reload your brush more often.
Paint with fast-drying ingredients (majority on the market right now) will stick to polyester making them harder to clean. If you look after these brushes, they’ll last for years.
What happens if you use the “wrong” bristled brush with the recommended paint?
If you try to apply latex paint with a natural-bristle brush, the bristles will absorb the water from the paint and become extremely limp, making it difficult to spread the paint smoothly.
If you try to apply chalk/clay-based paint etc. with a synthetic brush, you will likely have a lot of brushmarks and have a lot of extra work getting a smooth finish.
Not sure what size of brush to use either?
The size of the brush to use will really depend on the type of project you are tackling. Here is a short guide to help you get started. Don’t forget to read the packaging on each brush. Many manufacturers list the recommended use for their brushes.
4″ — 6″ This size would be great for painting large flat areas. I have one this size but have yet to use it!
2″ — 3″ The size I use the most! Great size for painting all types of smaller flat surfaces.
1″ — 1.5″ Perfect for more detailed smaller projects. Great for trim work on doors & walls too.
0.5” I have a ton of these small brushes for all my “crafty” projects.
Shapes
The shape of the brush can affect how easily you will be able to paint your project. A brush with a squared-off end works well for flat surfaces because it will hold plenty of paint and spread evenly. Angled brushes are for precise work on trim and corners because they allow for more control and a straighter line.
Do your really get what you pay for with a paintbrush?
As a general rule, you do get what you pay for with paintbrushes. Although I have a lot of inexpensive brushes in my workshop, I have found that I keep going back to the more expensive brush. I am currently using a Cling-On brush, which I paid $30 CND, and LOVE it because of the smooth finish I achieve.
Quality brands to check out:
- Cling-On! — synthetic bristle brushes
- Zibra — synthetic bristle brushes
- Purdy — offers both synthetic and natural bristle brushes
- Wooster — offers both synthetic and natural brushes
- Staalmeester — synthetic / natural bristle blend
Don’t forget about Prep Work!
Synthetic Paint Brush Brands
Even the perfect paint brush isn’t a guarantee for a smooth, flawless finish. If you haven’t prep your surface properly, you will be disappointed with the final product. Do you need a refresher on what steps to take for proper prep work? Check out the blog post I wrote 7 Steps To Prep Furniture .
