CHOOSING THE CORRECT PAINT BRUSH AND AFTERCARE
19th Aug 2021
Using the right paintbrush for the job will ensure a professional finish every time. Of course the type of paintbrush needed will depend on the kind of paint being used, and the object that is to be painted
How to get the perfect paint finish
Regarding the type of paint, you can, of course, check the paint can and also the cleaning instructions. If the paint cleans off in water, it is water-based paint, and if it needs solvent, then it is oil-based paint.
• Water-based paint requires a synthetic brush. Wet the brush through and then spin it before adding the paint
• Solvent-based paint can be applied with a synthetic brush, but professional painters prefer a natural bristle. The natural bristle needs to be broken in to produce the best results, so for infrequent use, a synthetic bristle is ideal for using straight from the packet
When it comes to selecting the width of paintbrush to use – the following guide can be used:
• ¾” angled brush is the best for windows. It is easy to get into the corners with this small brush and use a paint kettle too so you only have a small amount of paint to move around.
• 1” brush makes light work of door frames, stairway spindles and small edges.
• 1 ½” brushes are best for larger door frames and skirting boards.
• 2” brush should be used for cupboard doors and dado rails.
• 2 ½” brushes are excellent for painting panelled doors, beams and large furniture.
• 3” and 4” are reserved for larger objects like garage doors and floors.
Tips for getting the best results when painting
Use angled brushes whenever details are small; the point helps to paint with precision. To speed painting up, use the widest brush possible for the area you are painting. Between coats of paint, wrap the brushes in plastic wrap so the brushes don’t dry out. Having a variety of brushes to hand helps to speed up the work, and it enables you to complete the job more effectively. To create a brush-mark free finish, ‘lay off’ the paint by passing just the tips of your brush over the wet paint surface to remove any lines.
Look after your paintbrushes
Quality paint brushes improve with use so it is important to look after them well. Take time to clean brushes thoroughly after use – for water-based paint warm, soapy water is best, and oil-based paint requires a purpose-made solvent remover. Work the correct liquid through the bristles until all the paint has been worked loose, then spin the brush to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Spinning can be done by hand, or by using a professional brush spinner. The next step is to comb the bristles with a paint brush comb, or a dog comb works too, then lay the brush flat to dry. Treat the bristles with fabric conditioner or hair conditioner to prolong the life of the brush further. Once it is completely dry, put the brush back into its original packaging to keep the correct shape – some professional even place their brushes in a vapour box to keep them in tip-top condition.
At Hamilton, we, of course, have a wide selection of paintbrushes and with varying sizes. You can view all our ranges by visiting our Hamilton Paint Brush section.
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