Tap it gently against the side of the can: don't wipe the brush hard against the lip. Make sure you remove excess liquid before painting.įill the brush by dipping in up to half the length of the bristles. Then moisten the brush in water if you are about to use water-based paint, or mineral turpentine if you are about to use an oil-based paint. Instead, contact your local municipality for a drop off site or pick-up service to dispose of harmful or toxic materials.Cutting in when painting a wall Using a brushīefore use, flick the bristles back and forth to remove dust. Do not throw them out on the jobsite or into septic tanks where they can affect the bacteria that breaks down waste. Be sure that the bristles are dry before you start painting again.Īlways dispose of your paint and cleaning solutions responsibly. Rinse the brush and shake excess water out. Then squeeze the bristles to loosen the paint. Fill a bucket with 3 quarts of water and press the brush down onto the bottom. Get as much of the paint off the brush and onto your painting surface as you can in order to minimize cleanup. If you want to take a break while painting, get a paint tin magnet which attaches to the side of the tin and allows you to suspend the brush in the paint. If you have to buy fewer paintbrushes, you can spend more on each one and get better paint finishes. Properly cleaning your paintbrushes will mean that you get more ware out of them. Wiping the brush on the rim will put most of the paint back in the can and will mean the paint isn’t evenly distributed on the paintbrush. Painting Techniquesĭip the brush either ½ to 2/3 in the tin and gently tap on two sides of the can. Surfaces that are smooth and clean are also less likely to show brush strokes. Straight brushes leave fewer bristle marks. Brushes that are too small will take up valuable time and leave brush streaks in your finish.Īngled-bristle brushes are better for cutting and edges while straight or flat-bristle brushes are best for painting large, flat surfaces. If it is too big, you won’t be able to do exact cutting. Choose the right size brush for the task at hand. Width: Brushes are sized in 1/2-inch increments, from 1 to 4 inches. The square corner ferrule design is perfect for cutting or for small surfaces that don’t need a lot of paint.Īn oval ferrule design allows for large volumes of paint so it’s great for covering large areas where precision or cutting isn’t required. When the ferrule has square corners, the bristles hold less paint than ferrules with rounded corners.

Shape is the most important factor, and this is determined by the ferrule design. Brushes that are tipped (shaved to a sharp point) are great for spreading paint effectively. Your brush should be able to change shape to fit into difficult spaces, but should always return to the original shape. All-nylon brushes are too flexible while all-polyester options are too stiff. You want a blend of synthetic nylon and polyester. The plug (there can be more than one) holds the paint and enables it to flow to the tips of the bristles.īristles: Synthetic bristles are the norm these days as natural-hair bristles swell when used with water-based finishes, rendering them unusable. When choosing a brush, look for one with a wooden or cardboard spacer (called a plug) in the ferrule which divides the bristles into two sections. Perfect brushstrokes are what make a good finish, so opt for unfinished handles as they offer better grip.Ĭheaper brushes with plastic handles are good for applying oils or products that aren’t easy to clean and will mean you throw out the brush afterwards.įerrule: This is the metal section that connects the bristles to the handle. If you can’t grip the brush comfortably, it will show in your brushstrokes. Handle: Be sure that your brush has a comfortable handle to avoid cramps over time. Choosing the right paintbrush is the key to success. Getting a finish that looks like it’s been sprayed on takes careful preparation and execution. Getting it right can really show off your work well, but getting it wrong can cause expensive callbacks and dissatisfied customers. Painting is part of every construction professional’s work.

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