Paintbrushes

[SaladFingers]

So. I thought I'd get some decent paint brushes, so I bought Harris.

They don't seem all that good to be honest.

Who makes the good brushes these days?

 

[dcdec]

Harris are rubbish.

Different brushes are needed for different applications but purdy are a good all rounder, there are better brushes but without knowing what your going to use them for its impossible to get too specific

 

[SaladFingers]

Well I've just Sikken'd some exterior hardwood and will be looking to gloss indoors at some point.

Are Hamilton anygood? I bought one as it has a wooden handle, to use with nitromoors, but couldn't help thinking how nice it seemed and possibly too nice to use with paint stripper.

 

[dcdec]

Some decs love hamilton, personally i dont like them. Picasso and corona are both excellent in WB coatings, some like wooster who have a massive range which gets a bit confusing, their natural bristle brushes are good in OB but tips breaking is really annoying and you get bristle loss, synthetic are the way forward really as they cope with OB and WB coatings
Like i've said before the USA made brushes are way ahead of us and the choice is massive.

 

[vibrobullit407]

As dcdec states, it depends on the system your applying. I however do like Hamilton Perfection brushes for oil based and Purdy Monarch Elite for water based. I find that bristle is a bit stiff for water based, but works well for oil based as it helps spread the paint and the prolonged drying time lets the brush marks flow out. Not what you want when applying water based!

 

[joe-90]

I like Harris. I always use new brushes for every job I start - can't be arsed to look after fancy brushes. I get perfect results too.

 

[SaladFingers]

I found the Harris brushes to be crap from the start. Frayed hair placement and hairs parting off onto the paintwork.

 

[joe-90]

I use the synthetic ones with the white micro-fibre ends. After the job I bin them and start again.

 

[stevewestern]

You do need to choose the right brush for the job.
Synthetic brushes are wonderful for water based trim paints - acrylic gloss and the like. Purdy's are highly rated but Coronas are my favourite. Neither are cheap, but both will last if looked after and produce good results.

Hamilton perfection are great for oil based paints.

Cheap brushes are just that, so if you want a decent finish then get a decent brush. Simple !

Looking after a brush, especially a synthetic one only takes a minute or two. A BrushMate for your oil based work means you don't need to clean them out at all for normal use.

 

[Magrah]

Don't laugh, but I use B&Q fine finish for gloss mostly.

 

[moppit]

+1 B&Q fine finish. For the price there is nothing that comes close especially with WB or where you need a good finish. Ive tried everything....

Purdy good but expensive and not worth the extra...IMO

 

[SaladFingers]

You know, I went to B&Q just to get a one inch brush, just for some touch up work.

Found a Harris that I've never seen before. Whiteish nylon bristles, blue handle.

Cheap enough for my thought of it'll do.

Well stack me, I've found a bloody good one!

I'll post a pic of it if anyone's interested.

 

[ic1927]

Last week I got my hands on a proform picasso oval ferrule sash, this brush holds an incredible amount of paint, it's the best three inch brush I've ever used.

 

[dcdec]

Picasso are excellent. I believe (don't know if you have any branches in Wales) Brewers are now or are shortly due to start stocking Corona brushes which are also very very good.

 

[ic1927]

No Brewers down this way dcdec, I'll keep a look out for them at our local merchants, have heard good things about the coronas, also found the Wooster alphas excellent brushes too.