The Knowledge Room…

We have developed our brand ranges based around the needs of the user.  We recognise that Hamilton is a much-loved brand that all skill levels love to use.

In light of this, Perfection has been developed as our ‘top tier’ offering giving more specific choice and quality for the discerning professional painter and decorator – we know that tools are life and they need to be high quality and last in the long term.

Our Prestige range has been developed to bring more breadth of choice – here you will find every tool you need for a really professional job.  This is why our Prestige range holds the vast majority of our tools.

Our Performance range is designed for quick selection, speed of use and a decent job – great for multi-skilled trades and for keeping the toolkit stocked. Our new For the Trade range has been developed specifically for the multi-skilled tradesperson – for whom perhaps, painting and decorating is not a full-time focus.  Easy speak, no messing, simple choices combined with high quality materials, comfort in use and the advantage of Hamilton expertise.

We have stockists nationwide. You can enter your details on our ‘Find your Stockist’ page here for quick results. If you’re still struggling to find what you need local to you, please email info@hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk 

Obviously we don’t want any issues with our products, but if you do have one it is important to let us know so that we can investigate further.  If you can please email details, images and if possible, where the product was purchased, to info@hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk our quality team will take a look at it and get back to you.  Contacting us via social media messaging won’t always get a response as it is run by a separate team, so email is always best.

The answer, quite simply is, yes.  However, it is important to bear in mind that our brush heads use material designed specifically with the paint application in mind, so results may very when using a synthetic brush with oil-based paint when it is designed for water-based applications.

Our Prestige and For the Trade ranges have a wide selection of brushes developed for use with all paints.  When searching brushes, use the filter options to narrow them down.  Our Perfection brushes use the latest innovation in filament technology, so you should ideally use a synthetic head for water-based paints for the best possible result.

No, you don’t.  Unlike traditional natural bristle brushes, synthetic brush filaments won’t wear.  They are also already designed for the task at hand and will be all, or some of the following: tapered, flagged, fine-tipped.  You’ll get a smoother finish straight from the pack – they’ll also clean more easily!

This is the name of our technology when producing roller sleeves.  Where stated, this means that the sleeve fabric has been heat-fused to the core and bonded – meaning it won’t unwind, even when soaked in water or solvent.

Most of our brushes are vapour box compatible, and when they are you’ll see this stated within the products features.  Generally, a brush that is used for oil-based (solvent-based) paints is kept moist rather than cleaned in-between each job – a vapour box helps this process.  A synthetic brush when used with water-based paints can generally be washed under the tap.

Bear in mind that any special varnishes, coatings, lacquers – or metals that aren’t resistant – may corrode or crack when used in a vapour box.

We refer to surfaces like this to make the selection of the most suitable roller sleeve easier.  Below are some examples to help you decide: 

Smooth surfaces include those recently plastered (an dry) plasterboard or lining paper. Use a short pile sleeve for these surfaces. 

Semi-smooth surfaces can be woodchip or lightly patterned, or previously painted. Use a medium pile sleeve for these surfaces – this is the most common pile. 

Rough surfaces are usually artex or more heavily patterned.  Use a long pile sleeve for these surfaces. 

There are also Extra-rough surfaces which can include period building walls, or exposed brickwork.  You’ll need an extra-long pile rollers for these. 

A masonry sleeve is designed perfectly for brickwork, pebbledash and concrete – perfect for outdoors, and indoor surfaces such as cellar walls. 

It may be that there was some loose lint/fabric before you started using it – this is normal.  When using a brand new roller (not applicable for foam) always dampen your hand first and run it over the sleeve to remove and lose bits that are simply there from the manufacturing process. 

Also just double-check you are using the correct roller for the paint you are using. 

This depends on the type of brush head (filament) and the paint used.  Synthetic filaments clean much more easily than natural bristle.  When using water-based or hybrid paints you can usually clean well under the tap – a brush comb is always a good idea too to remove any excess paint towards the base of the head. 

When using an oil-based (solvent-based) paint you may decide to use a vapour box (see vapour box FAQ) – this will help keep the bush head moist for future work. 

As with brushes, this depends on the fabric type and the paint used.  Most water-based paints can be washed from a roller under the tap.  Try removing the excess paint first with a scraper – we have one in our Perfection range.  Wash with clean water and stand on end to dry.

When using oil-based (Solvent-based trim paints, such as gloss, it is likely you won’t be able to clean the roller for re-use.  Foam rollers tend to be the best for these types of jobs.

This will depend on the roller frame / pole that you’re using.  Both will be either screw-fit or push-fit – we have extension poles that are suitable for both. You can usually tell quite easily by looking at the frame handle.

All our product features will advise the fitting.