Drylok Synthetic Bristle Brush (2-Pack) Model# 209183 $ 22 97 $ 22 97. Angled, Synthetic Brush with Paint Container (3 Pack) Model# MPS003 $ 42 99.

1. Pure Bristle Or Synthetic Paint Brush
2. What Is Synthetic Bristle Paint Brush

What Are Synthetic Bristle Brushes? Synthetic bristle brushes are paintbrushes that have bristles that are made from materials other than hog bristle or animal hair. Often they're made from nylon bristles or polyester bristles or a nylon/polyester blend, which create a smooth finish on whatever surface you're working with. 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. Angled Brush - bristles are cut to make it easier to apply paint to window trim. Thin Angle Sash - slanted bristles and a thin profile produce a good, straight line for trimming in corners and edges. Angle Sash - features slanted bristles and holds more paint than its thin counterpart. Excellent for cutting in at the ceiling.

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

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

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:

• 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!

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 .

Choosing the right paint brush seems like a simple decision, but the type of brush you choose has a big impact on the finished look of your painting job. Everything from the type of paint you use to the type of job helps determine which types of paint brushes work best.

Type of Bristles

The choice between natural and synthetic bristles is an important one. Natural bristles have a flagging or splitting at the tips, which helps produce a smooth finish and holds plenty of paint. Natural-bristle brushes are better suited for oil-based or solvent-based paints. The natural bristles are stronger, so they stand up to the chemicals and let you apply the paint without leaving marks.

Synthetic brushes come in different materials, such as nylon, polyester and a blend of nylon and polyester. These brushes are easy to use and clean up well. Synthetic brushes work best for water-based paint. Natural-bristle brushes draw moisture out of the water-based paint, making it difficult to apply properly.

Bristle Ends

The bristle ends affect how well the paint brush picks up paint and releases it onto the painted surface. Flagged or exploded bristles on higher-end brushes let you pick up more paint with each dip. The split ends also help the paint go on smoothly without brush marks.

Brush Sizes

The size of the brush affects how well-suited it is for a particular job, including both the width of the bristle area and the thickness of the bristles. Thick brushes hold more paint to cover more ground before you need to reload, while thinner brushes are lighter and offer better control.

Choose a brush that is wide enough to cover efficiently, yet narrow enough for control over the paint application. If you're painting narrow trim, a wide brush doesn't work well. A 2- to 2-1/2-inch brush is a good general size that works for a variety of projects. If you're painting narrow trim or small spaces, opt for a 1-inch brush. Large, flat areas work best with a 4-inch brush so you can cover the surface faster.

Pure Bristle Or Synthetic Paint Brush

Paint Brush Quality

No matter what type of paintbrush you choose, focus on the construction quality for the best results. Look for dense bristles throughout the ferrule. Test the brush by bending it back near the base. A solid paint brush springs back. A tapered design with a slim profile at the end and flagged tips allow for excellent control and even coverage.

What Is Synthetic Bristle Paint Brush

Reach for a brush with quality construction and the type of bristles best-suited to your specific project. When you do, your clients get smooth, quality finishes that make them come back to you over and over.