Types of Brushes:

Brush types may be classified into five main types:

• Wall Brushes
• Sash and Trim Brushes
• Enameling and Varnish Brushes
• Stucco and Masonry Brushes
• Specialty Brushes.

1. Wall Brushes:

These brushes are flat and range in sizes from 3 to 6 inches wide. They have a short heavy handle and the bristle end is square. They were used primarily for wide, large surfaces but today they are used mostly for brushing siding and wide frames. The roller has replaced the wall brush for painting walls.

2. Sash and Trim Brushes:

These are available in four common types: round, oval, flat with a square edge, and flat with an angled edge. They range in size from 1-1/2 inches to 3 inches in width. The angled sash tool is by far the most popular because it is not only for trim and sash painting but can be used to “cut in” a surface before roller painting a surface. Because rollers cannot get into a corner without ruining the adjoining face the edge must first be painted with a brush. The roller is then used to fill in the main surface and overlap the brushed surface as much as possible without hitting the adjoining surface.

Angular Sash Tool

Flat Sash Tool

3. Enameling and Varnish Brushes:

These brushes have shorter but finer bristles than other brushes so they can lay down high gloss and clear varnishes smoothly and evenly. They are usually made from high quality Chinese hog bristle or ox hair. The average size is between 2 and 3 inches and have a flat or angular tip.

4. Stucco and Masonry Brushes:

Stucco and masonry brushes are wide and look like flat wall brushes. Nylon is preferred as a bristle because the surfaces are rough as well as the coatings are usually high in alkalinity. Animal hair bristles would wear out quickly or break down because of the chemicals in the coatings used.