How to choose the right brush

The success of your next painting job depends as much on your choice of brush as it does on the type of paint you use. Brushes come in various styles, types, sizes, materials and designs, and each has a purpose to which it is ideally suited. While you will need to be practical and having the perfect brush for each job may seem a little over the top, do consider investing an a few good quality brushes when undertaking a new project, as it can create the difference between, 'wow!' and, 'oh...'

Paint brush types

Did you know that some brushes are made with hairs from inside the ears of oxen? Paint brushes are divided into two main categories, they are:

• Natural brush fibres are made from animal hairs. The animals which the fibres are taken from include pigs ('hogs'), oxen, and, more rarely, badgers or tampico hair fibres. China is a major supplier of hog bristle; hence the alternative name for these brushes of 'China' bristles.
• Polyester brushes and nylon/polyester blends are artificial fibre brushes. They tend to be easy to clean and better quality ones retain their shape well, and are quite durable.

The right paintbrush for the job

Different types of brushes are suitable for different types of paints and surfaces.

Natural fibre brushes are designed for use with oil based paints and other oil based finishes such as shellac, varnish and polyurethane. The advantage of these is that they create a smooth finish, as the tips of the hairs tend to split and become very soft.

Artificial brushes are best used with latex paints. They are easier to clean than natural fibre bristles, and tend to be more resilient and long lasting.

Ensuring that your brushes are well cared for, washed out properly and stored clean after each use, makes purchasing more expensive good quality ones the most practical alternative. Lower quality brushes also tend to shed hairs or fibres in your painting, which ruins a good finish.

Consider the dimensions of the space that you will be painting when choosing the size of brush. A tricky small space or edges may require a small brush, with a wider one for the larger areas. You may need several sizes for the one job. If changing colours, do ensure that the brush is thoroughly cleaned in between to avoid colour cross - contamination.

Painting: Other information

The brush that you choose for your next paint job can make a huge difference to the end result. Consider the type of brush that you'll need based on the type of paint you are using, the finish you want, the dimensions of the area, and the quality and longevity of the brush.