Brushes for painting, varnishing and cutting in - natural and synthetic
Bristle in the paint on the first pass? Cheap brush. Third pass? Poorly anchored fill. Fiftieth? That one's a tool, not a throw-away.
Natural bristle (hog hair, blended) - for alkyd varnishes, solvent-based enamels, wood oils. It loads and releases solvent-based materials better than synthetic. Don't use it with water-based paint - the bristle swells, the brush loses shape and doesn't recover.
Synthetic filament (polyester, nylon) - for acrylic paint, water-based primers, water-based varnishes. Doesn't deform in moisture, washes out cleaner. Quality synthetic has a flagged tip (split ends) - fewer brush marks on the finished surface.
Width and shape. 50-75mm flat - walls, ceilings, large areas. Angled sash - cutting in at edges, window frames, door architraves. Round or narrow detail brush - radiators, profiles, tight corners. 100mm and wider - varnishing and horizontal application.
After the job. Wash immediately in the right solvent (water for acrylic, white spirit for alkyd), comb out the fill, dry horizontal or hanging bristle-down. A brush with one lopsided edge worn shorter than the other is done before its time.
Beorol, Anza, Hardex - brands we stock. Brushes that still work on the fiftieth wall.
Synthetic filament - polyester or nylon. Natural bristle swells in water-based material and loses shape permanently. Quality synthetic with flagged tips leaves fewer brush marks and washes out faster after the job.
Natural bristle - hog hair or blended. It absorbs organic solvents better and spreads alkyd varnish more evenly. Synthetic works in alkyd varnish, but brush marks show more on smooth surfaces.
Wrap the bristle in foil or a sealed bag and leave at room temperature. Under 2 hours, the bristle won't dry out. For a longer break, stand the tip in water (acrylic) or white spirit (alkyd) without submerging the handle.
When the fill wears shorter on one side, when it doesn't spring back after washing, or when you keep pulling broken bristle from the wet paint. A properly washed and stored brush lasts full seasons.
25-38mm angled sash brush. Narrow width gives edge control. The angled fill lets you work at right angles to the surface without smearing the adjacent area.
