ICS on Brushes

Brushes
*Confused about paint applicator tools? Don't be . . .*
The rule to remember about applicators is first, and foremost, the better the quality of applicator tool - the easier the painting, staining, or varnishing and the better the results.
Brush quality comes next. A good brush will hold more paint, control dripping and spattering and apply paint more smoothly with minimal brush marks. A quality brush will give a long even release of paint, and the advantage, especially to a professional painter, of cut-ability (the ability to quickly and precisely strike a straight edge). Above all, the quality brush has durability which is measured in terms of bristle or filament shape and retention. Lesser quality brushes tend to lose filament shape quickly and lose filaments sooner.
Choosing the right shape & size brush starts by determining the amount of open or flat area to be painted. Windows, shutters and trim work such as frames and moldings require a 1" - 2" brush. An angular cut brush helps make clean, neat sash or narrow trim work and makes edge cutting easier. A 3" brush is recommended for larger flat surfaces such as cabinets, baseboards, doors, beams, fences, gutters, stair steps and shelves. A 4" brush is great for large flat areas such as siding, walls, ceilings, paneling, floors, broad fences and barns.
Inexpensive brushes are usually square trim construction and mass produced on machines. Chisel trim brushes are formed with various lengths of bristles or filaments and are typically used in better quality, retail-type brushes. Cup chisel brushes are handcrafted by professional brush makers using blends of filaments or bristles which are embedded deep into the ferrule on the handle. The ideal brush has a proper combination of stiffness, taper, flex, snapback and wear-resistance. Stiffness is achieved through varying the blends of bristles or filaments in length, coarseness and diameter. Taper is usually built in during the assembly process by using various lengths of bristles or filaments as well as by varying their diameters and coarseness. It can also be built in mechanically by shaping the brush during the finishing process. Flex and snapback is achieved in China Bristle brushes by blending coarse and fine bristles along with various lengths of bristles. Synthetic filament snapback is derived from solid (vs. hollow) filaments and the use of various lengths and diameters of filaments.	Square Trim Chisel Trim Cup Trim

"Split ends" or flagging of the bristles helps load the brush with more paint and assist the paint to flow on more smoothly. Tapered bristles also help paint flow and provide smooth paint release. The taper, like the taper on natural hair, helps give the brush tip a fine painting edge for more even and accurate work.

Synthetic bristles or filaments can be produced in many shapes and quality levels. The best filaments are tapered at the top and are solid, meaning they are a solid cylinder and not hollow like a straw. These solid filaments perform much better and clean up more completely than lesser grades. They are usually the only kind used in professional and the very best consumer brushes. Hollow filaments, typically found in lower priced consumer brushes, wear much faster and are more difficult to clean after use.

No Tipping Flagged & Tipped

     China bristles have natural "split ends". To accomplish the same thing, synthetic bristles or filaments must be "flagged" which is an added manufacturing expense. Inexpensive consumer brushes typically have less flagged bristles or none at all. Higher quality consumer brushes will have flagged bristles. Professional brushes will have flagged bristles of varying lengths for best paint loading.

     What Bristle or Filament is best? Is it China/Natural Bristle, Nylon, Polyester, blends of Nylon & Polyester or the newer synthetic - Chinex?

     Natural Bristles were first used by the ancient dynasties of China. The Chinese hog was the first practical source for paintbrush bristles. Today's China or Natural Bristle is still 100% "Pure China Bristle" or hog hair from mainland China. It continues to be the best for applying oil based finishes where the smoothest paint job is required . . . like varnishes and glossy enamels. Natural Bristle brushes are not recommended for use with water based or latex paints as the bristles become limp and lose their shape. Please also be aware that the bristle is somewhat brittle and subject to breaking and it may leave an occasional "hair" on the newly painted surface.

Nylon, Polyester and Nylon/Polyester Blends are synthetic bristles or filaments which were developed in response to a trade embargo with China in the 1940's, about the same time water based paints were being introduced. Since early attempts to use horsehair were not very successful, Nylon became the filament of choice. It had maximum toughness and durability, along with greater stiffness retention. Nylon was easier to clean than natural bristles. However, it did soften under warm temperature conditions and repeated exposure to water based paints. The advent of polyester filaments brought stiffness, retention in heat (above 80 F), and repeated exposure to water based paints. Nylon/Polyester is an outstanding combination of man-made filaments. Nylon, in the longer lengths, provides maximum durability and wear. Polyester, in the shorter lengths, provides stiffness and flex in hot weather and water-based coatings.

Chinex is a relatively new synthetic filament designed to perform more like the natural China Bristle. It is a solid, round, tapered filament for use in latex and oil paints. It picks up and releases more paint than solid, round, tapered nylon, polyester and nylon/polyester blends. Other improvements include less brush drag, better wet stiffness and easier clean up.

Brush construction also plays a role in determining quality and price. Most professional brushes have wooden handles while consumer brushes typically have plastic handles. The professional handle is nailed in place (not just crimped) so it stays tight and firm under work-a-day conditions. The ferrule (metal band that serves to hold the bristle and handle together) is heavier, and usually non-rusting steel on the professional brushes. Most professional brushes also typically have the longer bristles. Most brushes (consumer and professional) have epoxy settings for the bristles. This is the best way anyone has found to keep the bristles in the brush.

The professional brush, as shown, has an extra u-shaped metal insert inside that fastens to the handle and dips down into the epoxy setting. This insert strengthens the bond between the handle and the brush head and is not found in consumer brushes. The other significant difference is the dividers or spacers that form the galleries which help hold the paint in the brush and also help give the brush its taper. Consumer brushes typically have more "space" and less bristles. The spacer is there to literally take up space. After all, the bristle is the costliest component in the brush.
The bottom line is a quality paint brush will perform well in any grade of paint. A poor brush can make even the best paint look bad!
TIPS ON GOOD BRUSH USE
Before starting to paint with a brush, work the bristles back and forth with your fingers to remove any loose bristles or dirt. Prepare the brush for painting by dipping the filaments only half way into the paint. When the brush is full of paint, tap gently on the sides of the can to release excess paint. This assures maximum

pick-up and transfer to the surface. Hold the brush properly by placing your fingers on the ferrule to help steady your hand. The handle should rest comfortably between the thumb and forefinger. Apply paint with the tips of the brush and not the sides. Every so often slap both sides of the brush against an unpainted area to release paint which has accumulated in the top of the brush. This will keep the brush from "fingering". Paint with steady even strokes lifting the brush gradually at the end of the stroke. Don't use the brush to stir the paint - a paint mixing stick does a better job and you don't want the brush to get overloaded with paint. Always clean the brush immediately after use. When storing the brush, avoid standing it on its bristle tips as the weight will cause the edge to bend and curl. If possible, put the brush back into its original package and store the brush hanging up.

Keep in mind that ALLPRO only carries the better quality applicators in the ALLPRO line. Our brush filaments and roller cover fabrics are the best in the industry. Remember, the better the quality of the applicator tool, the better the results.

It's "guts" not glitz that gets the job done!