Choose the Right Paintbrush
with
Debbie Anderson
Do you know the difference between the various paintbrushes at the hardware store? Here are a couple tips on how best to pick, use, and maintain the best paintbrushes for any job.
Transcript: Choose the Right Paintbrush
Hi! I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com Home. Finding the right paintbrush for the right job can sometimes be a daunting challenge. So today I'm going to show you a couple tips on how best to pick, use, and maintain the best brushes for the job!Choosing a Paintbrush
Choosing a good brush for the job really depends on two factors, how large and what type of surface you are painting, and are you using latex or oil based paint?Foam Brush Paintbrushes
The first brush we are going to go over is the foam brush. Foam brushes are an excellent choice when using latex paints to cover smooth surfaces such as furniture or small hard-to-reach areas. These brushes are also great for doing touch-ups. These versatile brushes are available in one-inch, two-inch, and three-inch sizes, so you always have a choice depending on the size of the surface you are painting.How to Use a Foam Brush
To use your foam brush, dip the brush, just about half way up the foam surface, and apply the paint in long smooth even strokes across the surface. When the brush runs out of paint, fan it off the surface at a 45-degree angle and this will help alleviate leaving hard paint lines.How to Clean a Foam Brush
To clean a foam brush, simply run cold water over the foam and squeeze the foam until all of the paint is gone. Gently pat the foam end of the brush with a dry towel and allow the brush to dry.Natural Bristle Paintbrushes
Natural Bristle paintbrushes come in a variety of widths and are excellent choices for both latex and oil based paints. Most Natural Bristle brushes are offered with both an angled tip and a straight flat tip. For jobs such as painting wood trim, an angled brush tends to work best, whereas a paintbrush with a straight flat end tends to work better for covering broad flat surfaces or heavily texture surfaces, such as walls.How to Use a Natural Bristle Paintbrush
For both the angled and flat end paintbrushes, only load the brush with paint halfway up the bristles, no more, and apply the paint in long smooth even strokes until the paint begins to thin from the bristles. Repeat this process until the entire surface is covered in paint.Cleaning a Natural Bristle Paintbrush: Latex Paint
To clean a bristled brush after use with latex paint, run the bristles of the brush under cool water and clean the bristles by pulling the paint away from the bristles with your fingertips until the water turns clear again. Gently pat the bristles with a dry towel and allow the brush to dry.Cleaning a Natural Bristle Paintbrush: Oil-Based Paint
To clean a bristled brush after use with an oil-based paint, after putting on your vinyl gloves, pour paint thinner over the bristles in a well ventilated area and pull the paint from the bristles with an old rag until the bristles of the brush are clean. Once the brush is clean, allow the brush to dry in a well-ventilated area. Always drop the used rags in a bucket of water until they can be disposed of properly.How to Store Paintbrushes
Finally, store your brushes in a flat and unobstructed area so that the each brush remains flat and smooth until its next use.Thank you for watching! To learn more, please visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com.