Interior House Painting Tips: A Quality Paintbrush Is a Worthwhile Investment

They say that a car is only as good as its tires.  After all, a 500 horsepower super car isn’t worth a thing on the track if it has a flat tire.  Even if it isn’t actually flat, just having the wrong tread, width, or pressure can kill a vehicle’s performance.  When the rubber meets the road, having the right tools to get the job done is incredibly important.  This is true of a painting project, too.  Ask any professional painter and they’ll tell you that having the right paintbrush is a big deal, whether you’re touching up a radiator, laying down a second coat on your exterior paint job, or wiping the sweat off your forehead as you cut in with the precision of a surgeon around a fixture.  For novices and painting contractors alike (and everyone in between), having a quality paintbrush is important.

 Are All Paintbrushes for Interior or Exterior Painting Created Equal?

In actuality, there are many, many different kinds of paintbrushes, each intended for specific purposes.  Wall brushes, for example, are designed to apply paint over a larger amount of space, while a flat sash brush allows you to cut in more easily and accomplish finish work for your interior painting project.  A

good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that narrower, angled bristles are intended for the detailed cutting-in work, while the wider, flat-ended brushes are meant for laying it on thick (in a good way).  You don’t want to cross these two or you may be in for an aggravating experience!

 There’s an extremely easy test you can perform that can help to separate a good paintbrush from the herds of cheap alternatives out there.  Just give it a shake!  A quality brush shouldn’t rattle when you shake it, meaning that the metal band (the ferrule) that connects the bristles to the handle is keeping a tight connection.  It should feel solid, like one piece.

Speaking of bristles, it’s important to determine which kind of bristles will be the best for your particular paint.  You’ll find the options out there to be primarily between synthetic or natural bristles, and each work better when paired with a certain product.  For instance, natural bristles should be used with oil-based paint and synthetic bristles with water-based paint.  To make it simple, you can check the packaging on your brush to make sure you’re buying the correct one for your house painting project.

 A Quality Paintbrush Saves Time and Money

It can be hard to pay more for a paintbrush when you’re actually standing in a store with a cheaper brush in your left hand and a more expensive one in your right.  What are you really paying for?  The truth is, professional house painters and painting contractors agree that a higher quality paintbrush can make your painting experience easier.  The paint is applied more easily and smoothly, eliminating the tiny crevices where dirt and mildew might collect.  Also, fewer thin spots form, allowing for a faster and more professional finish.

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