How to Choose the Right Paintbrush | This Old House

Painting contractor Jeff Young shares tips for picking the perfect brush with host Kevin O'Connor.
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Painting contractor Jeff Young [youngideas.biz/] showed Kevin how to choose a high-quality paintbrush for both oil and water based paints.
Some of the brushes Jeff discussed are manufactured by Purdy [www.purdy.com/].
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How to Choose the Right Paintbrush | This Old House
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[@TBoy205]

that’s Purdy cool

[@simeonbanner6204]

Quite similar to fine art painting. You are using stiff hog hair brushes to shift oil paint around. Emulsion and acrylic are water based so the bristles can be softer.

[@YoSoyGus1]

Purdy Rules!

[@barrysterling9461]

Very nice presentation 👍

[@benclarkson4205]

Ribena. Every decorators secret weapon!

[@jarmstrong2843]

A good paint brush is 50% of the paint application. The other half is preparation, quality of paint and any extenders used in the paint to allow the paint to flow and even out and technique in applying paint. There is more to painting than most people realize.

[@jackwardley3626]

you can use pure bristles in water based the more wear they get the better they get.

[@deanbr6ndo70]

You cant beat pure bristle.new, you use with emulsions,when worn a bit, you use for undercoats,then when its worn a bit more,you use for glossing.

[@tinhinnh]

Purdy makes it pretty

[@TheDime4life]

Guess you could say they are purdy good

[@sheet-son]

But how do I clean oil based off brushes without making a mess everywhere, and being a huge hassle in general.

[@AbbieHoffmansGhost]

I think it's easier to clean oil paint off of brushes than latex. Pour about 3 inches of paint thinner or turpentine (paint thinner is cheaper and works just fine) into a 2lb plastic coffee container like Maxwell House. Put the brush in and gently swirl it around and dab it on the sides. I do this twice and then while holding it in the can so it doesn't spray I 'helicopter' the brush between the palms of my hands twirling the excess paint thinner out of the brush. I do this a third time once I see how clean the brush is and pour a little clean paint thinner on the bristles before 'helicoptering' again. Then I use a rag with some paint thinner to clean the handle and ferrule if necessary and then shake it vigorously outside to get any extra thinner out and dry it as much as I can. Then I comb the bristles with a Purdy brush comb (Worster and others make them as well but the teeth are way too big to be effective). I hang the brush bristles down overnight to drain and dry and then I put it in its cover to retain its shape. Takes no more than five minutes and I've had some good brushes for ten years. And you can just throw the cover on the coffee can and re-use it many times as the paint settles to the bottom of the can.

[@cirealreviews1776]

are Chinex brushes better for water and oil urethanes compared to nylon/polyester brushes?

[@jackwardley3626]

I don't know about the purdy's wooster corona's but ive tried a mid budget chinex brush and it was horrible to use. but they say you can use them in oil but pure bristle still works best for oil

[@Dahliaman1]

Dahlia Man2 seconds ago I am a keen DIY'er After many years of purchasing brushes with the higher quality being Dulux and Hamilton I wish to buy better quality but have checked reviews and its a mixed bag for preferences. Some say Purdy, others Wooster and yet others Picasso. I wish to buy brushes for emulsion (as we say in UK) paints and oil based paints, and would welcome everyone's views and advice on which brand of brush to purchase and why. Thanks, Paul

[@adambrain1]

I have a mix of Purdy, Hamilton’s and Wooster. Don’t like Hamilton anything under 3”. Hamilton prestige although cheaper than precision are better. 3” Hamilton precision is a good brush when broken in. Purdy are generally pretty good all round also Wooster. Depends what you’re painting but I pretty much just use 3” brushes for everything. Comes down to personal preference but that’s my view.

[@gpmangsr40]

Wooster rules

[@guitarzarfun]

Wooster makes 2 brushes that interest me most at the moment. The Wooster Alpha 3" semi oval wall brush (4235)and the Wooster Ultra Pro Extra firm 2.5" lindbeck angled (4153) for cut ins.

[@tomgeezy5073]

high quality, 3" angle cut, long handle brush $12 ' www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TNEWDE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=theyellowrive-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000TNEWDE&linkId=e6ce33b06894ad375a0be69314660012

[@spacecat86]

dustin hoffman???

[@joshtv1833]

Hi

[@anthonycasey6064]

Corona or All Pro

[@eeennnoooccc1]

foam brush on the table and didn't even mention it...

[@jackwardley3626]

these nothing wrong with using pure bristle brushes in water paints paints they have been used in water based for years