Paintbrushes: The Good, The Bad, and How to Make them Behave
Today I have the skinny on paintbrushes, they all look alike, but they don’t behave alike! Pretty Handsome Guy and I have painted our fair share of rooms, especially dated brown trim moulding. One thing we learned early on is that buying a good brush was key to making a difficult job more manageable. When we first moved in and were cheap didn’t know any better, we bought the least expensive store brand brush we could find. What a mistake! Those brushes barely held up to one room of trim. The bristles frayed and the paint brushes lost their chisel shape.
Case in point:
But, if you spend a little more to buy a good quality brush and take good care of it, you can use that brush for years!!!
And a brand new never used Purdy brush.
Recently Purdy contacted me and asked if I wanted to try one of their brushes and maybe blog about it. I said sure, but I felt a little guilty. Why? (Whispering: Well, because we already have an arsenal of Purdy brushes in our painting supplies. When it comes to brushes, that is all we buy.) Okay, this is where I need to tell you that – yes, Purdy sent my a free brush and 5-in-1 painting tool to try out. But, did they pay me? No. And, did they ask me to write a positive review? No. So, I am being totally honest with you when I say that I do like their brushes. That being said, I have not tried some other high quality brushes. The only thing I do wish was different about Purdy brushes, is that they would develop an ergonomic handle for their brushes. After an hour of painting trim my hand always cramps up.
I haven’t bought any ergo handle type brushes, but I have seen this brush from Proform Technologies:
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| I might just have to try one of these next time. |
Okay, so I sold you on buying a good brush, and you were shocked by the price tag. Now I want to show how to care for that brush so it will behave for you (and you won’t have to replace it anytime soon.)
Be sure to clean your brush before the paint can dry on your brush. If you can’t wash it immediately, go ahead and leave your brush in a jar of water (or mineral spirits or turpentine for oil based stains or paint).
When you are ready, here is how to properly wash your paint brush:
Repeat on the opposite side.
and rinse any paint out of the inside of the brush.
Working in a circular motion, mix the soap in your hand with your brush
until a big lather forms.
I used large paper clips to make these hooks that hang over the sink.
If you are using an oil based paint you will want to substitute mineral spirits or turpentine for the soap and water. I also try to keep the brushes I use for oil paint or stains separate from my latex brushes.
Happy painting for years to come!
Great post. I was just cleaning my brushes by just running water and scrubbing with my hand but now I know some tips to get them really clean and clean the proper way and hanging them as well. Great tips! Purdy brushes are awesome too. 🙂
Thanks and glad you found the Purdy love too!
Thanks for posting all of this information! I especially loved the part about hanging the brush to dry – such an obvious thing, and yet I had never thought of it.
I determined to find an easy to way to hang mine, using stuff I already had. I always clean out my brushes in the laundry sink in the garage. Right above it is a wooden box attached to the wall – I keep some of the dogs supplies in there, because its right near the back door. I found several large C-hooks in my box of hardware odds and ends, so I drilled a few quick pile holes and screwed the C-hooks right into the bottom of the box. They work perfectly – thanks for the inspiration!
Love, Love, LOVE this post, Brittany! I'm such a bad paint brush owner and throw them away when I'm done instead of taking the time to clean them up — this post has given me some inspiration to save a few bucks each time I do a project and clean them properly. 🙂 Plus — I LOVE Purdy brushes too — they're my fave!
Hi Brittany,
Thanks for the info on Purdy brushes.
I didn't know the brand but I'll research them now.
I must say when I first arrived in Canada I was shocked at just how rubbish the cheaper paint brushes in the DIY stores were. Even the cheapest brands are still pretty good in the UK.
I have some that are still going strong after 10/12 years. I've been buying my brushes from the website of UK brush company KENT… who's brushes are fab..
They are a very old company and they have the royal warrant, which means they are brush suppliers to the Queen… although I'm sure she has a little man who comes in to do her painting for her.. ;o)
Jo xx
A final rinse in vinegar will get any last bits of paint off of the brush and make it last even longer. Or last as long as yours do for those of us who don't do as good a job rinsing out the last bits of paint 🙂
My husband (a manager at Sherwin Williams) always says to put the brushes back in the cardboard-ish wrapping they are sold in to dry in order to keep the shape. Works like magic and they are already put away – no revisiting the clean up later!
I totally agree that a good paint brush is key. You will get less paint brush marks in your finish. I have some Woosters too that I like but I do need a new one and would love to try the Purdy!
Thanks for this! I plan on painting my house in a few weeks so this will come in very handy!
Also I gave you an award on my blog
http://www.aspiringmillionaire.com/2010/10/blog-awards.html
Never thought of the hanging paintbrush idea. Usually mine just lean. Great idea!!
I love Purdy Brushes! They are the best. I also like the Wooster brushes, about a step down from Purdy, I have had good luck with them! Thanks for the info, always handy!!
What a helpful post! Thanks for sharing…I'm planning on painting a dresser soon and will try Purdy out! 🙂
I don't know if you already knew this, but Purdy is having a giveaway everyday of $100 gift certificates. You can submit here. http://www.youcansavethewalls.com/
I did it and won! I love, LOVE Purdy brushes!
I was just like you, buying the cheapo brushes until my furniture refinishing started making a little moolah, so I decided to give the Purdy brushes that are all the buzz a try. I'm forever sold on them. As far as an ergonomic Purdy brush, I haven't yet tried it, but I've heard the Purdy Cub brush is the easiest on the hand. It's got a short stubby handle. You should give it a try!
I have always said, if you love your brushes, they will love you back tenfold! I always buy the best brushes I can afford ( usually Purdy)! Some I have had for over 10 years and they are still spreading paint like butter, but I won't dare share them with someone that may not love them like I do!
Thx ~ I just bought my first Purdy on the suggestion of another blogger. I can't wait to use it this weekend 🙂