- Jun 27, 2020 The best way to strip paint from wood especially if you have a piece of furniture with detailing is with an eco-friendly paint stripper such as Citri-Strip Stripping Gel, this contains no caustic chemicals so it is skin safe and does not have a harsh odor, in fact, as the name suggests, it has a pleasant citrus fragrance.
- Nylon bristles are recommended for water-based paint, though most can also be used with oil-based paints. This type of paint brush is not recommended for applying shellac or lacquer. Nylon/polyester blend paint brushes. Nylon/polyester brushes combine two synthetic fibers to help maintain the brush.
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.
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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 .
We have a comprehensive collection of Purdy Paint Brush sizes and types. Ox-Hair, Pro-Extra, Black China – we’ve got it all. We stock a Purdy Paint Brush for every skill level and project.
Our large stock also means that we have the perfect brush for every budget. Our products are priced to sell, and our website makes it easy to compare prices.
On our Purdy Paint Brush page, you’ll find a detailed description of each Purdy product to make it easy for you to find the right one for you. They contain information about the bristle material, the cut and angle of the brush, and extensive details about how to best utilize each brush.
Best Paint Brushes
Purdy Pro-extra Swan Paint Brush
A blend of synthetic bristles including nylon, polyester, and Chinex makes this Purdy paintbrush unique and supreme among conventional paintbrushes. The Swan Paint Brush will surpass all your expectations and perform well in all your painting projects. Suitable for all types of paints and comes with an ergonomic handle made out of beautiful, natural hardwood.
Purdy XL Brushes
Glide Paint Brush
If you want the paint to slide off the brush in an eloquent and tidy manner we recommend this brush with a premium blend of Satin-Edge Nylon (Tynex®) and Orel® Polyester. Works well with all kinds of paints, including oil-based paints and can be used for interior and exterior projects. This purdy brush paints a wide path due to its angle sash. Paint corners and narrow edges with the same fluency of professional painters.
Purdy Ox-Hair Brushes
Purdy Ox-o-thin - Ox-hair Paint Brush
Paint Brushes For House
If you are curious about the art of brushmaking, you will find this Purdy paint brush to be exquisite. It is made with ox-hair, the softest most supple natural filament Purdy uses for its handcrafted brushes. Perfect for ultra-fine enamel and varnish projects where an elegant finish is desired.
High-Quality Paint Brushes At ThePaintStore.com!
Wondering where purdy paint brushes are made? The founder of Purdy paint brushes, Desmond Purdy began handcrafting paint brushes in his garage in Portland Oregon. It’s this kind of dedication and craftsmanship that ThePaintStore.com supports. You will be able to find multiple brands in our online paint store with the same integrity, legacy, and artistry!
We pride ourselves on helping you find exactly what you need for your unique project. We want the best for our customers, so we carry an extensive collection of high-quality brushes and other painting tools to make sure you can find exactly what you need. From sponges, combs, surface preparation tools, paint brush sets, paint brushes, to rollers to cover your purdy paint rollers, ThePaintStore.com has it all!
Paint Brushes For Photoshop
If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us and our friendly customer service representatives will assist you.