1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair

Selection, Care and Storage of a Paint Brush

By , About.com Guide

2 of 7

Selecting a Paint Brush (Inexpensive Brushes)


Not all paint brushes are created equal. Trying to scrimp on quality with a paint brush will cost you more in time and frustration than it's worth. Also, your paint job will look poor. Here's an overview of inexpensive paint brushes:

Cheap and Disposable Brushes
Cheap paint brushes should be used for application of glues and paint that will not be an interior finish. What makes them inexpensive is their material and construction.

  • Bristles:
    The bristles on an inexpensive brush will be synthetic (nylon) and if you spread them they will be untapered and have a blunt end. That's not good because the brush tip will not hold paint and the result is a streaky paint job. They will also tend to be thicker and fewer in number. Foam brushes are another alternative but produce poor painting results in serious paint jobs. They are good however for small touch ups and spreading glues when you don't want the hassle of cleanup. Just remember, you are adding to our landfills with these non-biodegradable plastic conveniences.

  • Ferrule:
    The ferrule is the metal strap that holds the bristles to the brush handle, usually aluminum on cheaper brushes. On these inexpensive brushes it will not be very tight or even neat. What happens is that the ferrule does not hold the bristles very well and the results are paint bristles coming out of the brush and ending up in your paint job.

Explore Home Repair

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Make Your Own Scented Pine Cones

Bring a little of the fall season in your home with this easy-to-make craft. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair
  4. Interior Home Repair
  5. Selection, Care and Storage of a Paint Brush

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.