Best Applicators for Your Paint Project

The brush head is the working end of a paint brush. Brush head bristles, or filament, can be made from a variety of materials. Synthetic paint brushes offer more versatility and can be used with all paint types. In general, the best paint brush for oil-based paint will have natural bristles.

Nylon paint brushes:

• Nylon bristles are recommended for water-based paint, though most can also be used with oil-based paints. This type of paint brush is not recommended for applying shellac or lacquer.

Nylon/polyester blend paint brushes:

• Nylon/polyester brushes combine two synthetic fibers to help maintain the brush shape. These brushes can be used on both water-based and oil-based finishes. Bristles vary in stiffness. Softer bristles will produce a smoother finish while stiffer filament can hold up to thicker paint.

Polyester paint brushes:

• Paint brushes with polyester bristles are durable and won’t absorb moisture. They are an excellent choice for applying water-based paints, but can also be used for oil-based paint and stain, varnish, lacquer and shellac.

Natural bristle paint brushes:

• Natural bristle brushes are made with animal hair. The split ends allow the brush to hold more paint and release it evenly. Natural bristle paint brushes are excellent for oil-based paints, stains and clear-coats.

Tip: Rough surfaces will break the tips off of natural bristles and prevent a smooth finish. Nylon is a much more durable bristle, so choose a synthetic brush for painting rough surfaces – even when using oil-based paints.

It’s important to match paint brush sizes with the shape and scope of your project. Most paint brushes for home projects have a width between 1 and 4 inches. Larger brushes, such as a thick and wide wall paint brush, hold more paint and can save time when working on big surfaces. Narrower paint brushes give you more control on areas that require more precision.

Most paint brush heads are available with straight cut or flat edge. Others have an angled edge and are known as angled sash brushes. Choosing an angle edge or flat brush is primarily a matter of preference, though angled paint brushes can be more effective when used on vertical surfaces.

• 1- to 1-1/2-inch (angled or straight) – Hobbies and crafts, window mullion and trim, tight corners or other fine detail work.
• 2- to 2-1/2-inch (angled) – Window frames, casings, mouldings, cutting-in edges of walls and ceilings.
• 2- to 2-1/2-inch (straight) – Baseboards, cabinets, furniture, stairs, railings, shutters, gutters.
• 3- to 4-inch (usually straight-edged) – Exterior siding, decks, fences, masonry, floors, walls, ceilings, doors.

The shape of individual bristles can make a difference in the results of your painting project. The tips of synthetic filament are tapered, or flagged, to produce high-quality finishes. Tapered bristles help the paint flow for better coverage. This also gives shape to the brush to allow more precision when cutting-in along tight edges.

Paint rollers have two basic parts, the frame and the roller. A paint roller cover slides onto a paint roller frame and can be replaced when needed. Choose your roller cover based on the type of paint you'll be using and the roller nap. The nap is what creates the paint texture on the surface you are painting. Kits are available that contain both a paint roller frame and covers.

Paint Roller Cover Material:

• Paint roller cover materials vary from natural fibers to polyester fibers and foam.
• Natural fiber roller covers made of materials such as lamb’s wool or mohair are ideal for oil-based paints and painting on any surface texture.
• Polyester covers made of materials such as nylon resist matting, making them effective with water-based latex paints and suitable for any surface texture.
• Foam roller covers work well with oil or high-gloss latex paints, particularly on porous surfaces such as bare wood. They may not last as long as other types of rollers.
• Roller covers made of versatile blends such as natural wool and polyester are effective for multiple uses and different kinds of paint.

Paint Roller Size and Coverage Ability:

• Paint roller frames
  consist primarily of a comfortable handle and a rotating cage roller over which fits the cover. They are available in multiple sizes than can range from as small as two inches to as wide as 18.
• Standard wall rollers are 7 to 12 inches wide, with 9-inch rollers being suitable for most home projects.
• Smaller rollers of 6 to 7 inches are suitable for small furnishings or baseboard moulding.
• Mini rollers and mini roller covers of less than 5 inches can be the best paint rollers for small surfaces and narrow areas such as edges, corners, trim and frames, as well as hard-to-reach places such as inside bookcases and cabinets.

The thickness of roller covers is called the nap or pile. A rule of thumb to follow is that the rougher the painting surface, the thicker the nap you should use. Roller covers are typically available in thicknesses of 3/16 to 1/4-inch, 3/8 to 1/2-inch, 3/4 to 1-inch and 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch, each designed for a different purpose.

• 3/16 to 1/4-inch thickness is perfect for smooth surface roller covers for painting metal doors, interior doors, trim and cabinets. They work well with semi-gloss or gloss coatings and both oil- and water-base enamels.
• 3/8 to 1/2-inch thickness is preferable for semi-smooth surfaces such as drywall. It can be used on painted or unpainted walls and ceilings.
• 3/4 to 1-inch thickness is suitable for stucco and other semi-rough surfaces.
• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch is ideal for rough surface roller covers for painting brick and masonry, cinder blocks or chain link fences.

To determine the best paint rollers for your needs, consider the size, shape and roughness of the surface to be painted. Compared to paint brushes, rollers can provide a coat of paint with a particularly smooth finish whether using a natural or synthetic fabric cover.

Tip: Paint roller frame extensions are helpful accessories when painting ceilings and high areas of walls.