How Many Paint Brushes Is Too Many?
Posted on May 24, 2024
Is it possible to have too many paint brushes? As a homeowner, how many styles, shapes, and textures of paint brushes is enough? The answer often depends on how much painting you do. Today, we will discuss what kind of brushes are the most versatile, and how many sizes a typical homeowner should keep handy.
Brush Sizes
Generally speaking, a well-stocked DIY toolbox should contain at least three different paint brush sizes. These should include a 1” fine bristle brush, a 2” medium bristle brush, and a 3”-4” brush. Having a variety of brushes is important because often using the correct size brush for the job greatly reduces the cleanup time required. The goal is usually to find a brush that is large enough to provide adequate coverage, yet not so large that control is a problem. In many situations, small, medium, and large brushes may be required for the same project to maximize the time and effort invested.
Brush Shapes
Paint brushes come in endless shapes from narrow to broad, tapered to square, and even four-sided. In most instances, there is a special brush available for almost any painting project. Some brushes are designed to make straight lines, some can paint in two directions simultaneously, and others are designed to be easily cleaned. The best advice is usually to ascertain which type of brush will be used the most and start there. As it becomes evident that a different brush will improve the project, it can be purchased on an as-needed basis. This prevents the homeowner having several of the same brush that goes unused because the brush isn’t purchased until there is a need.
Brush Materials
Paint brushes also come in a wide variety of materials. Some brushes are made from natural materials, like boar or horsehair. Synthetic bristles are more commonly made from materials such as nylon and polyester. Disposable brushes often called chip brushes, are intended for a single-use and are designed to be thrown away instead of cleaned and reused. Each of these styles has advantages, so it’s a good idea to have all of them.
Natural bristle brushes are great for oil-based paints like enamels, while synthetic brushes tend to work better for latex-based paints. Disposable brushes can typically be used with any paint, but in most versions, the bristles will be fairly coarse, so detailed work will often require a different brush as well.
