Having the right tools can make a difference in the final outcome of any creative project. That is why every painter, whether a professional or a DIY enthusiast, needs different paint brushes and tools in his or her possession.
In this article, we will look at the types of painting tools and equipment a painter needs in their kit.
Different Types of Paint Brushes Every Painter Should Have
Paint brushes come in all shapes and sizes and are used for different purposes. However, a painter doesn’t require all types of paint brushes to get the job done. Here are some essential types of brushes for painting that you will need in your painter’s kit:
01. Dusting Paint Brush
It is a flat brush that is about 4 inches wide. The cheaper ones are made of horse hair or a mixture of hair. The most expensive brushes have white bristles. As the name suggests, the dusting brush, also known as a painter’s duster, is used for dusting surfaces before they are painted. It is also used for creating a dragging and colour-washing effect.
02. Flat Paint Brush
The flat paint brush is a metal-bound rubber-set brush, sometimes called a wall brush. It is made for all ordinary painting. It comes in a range of sizes from 3 to 6 inches in width and the bristle length ranges from 3 to 5.25 inches. The recommended length for a flat brush is 4 to 4.4 inches. Beginners will feel more comfortable with a 4-inch wide brush, while professionals choose a 5-inch wide brush.
03. Varnishing Paint Brush
This is not one of the essential types of brushes for painters, but you can use it to cut into the paint. A varnishing brush looks like a normal all-purpose brush, but it is only about ¼ of an inch or 5mm thick. The bristles of this brush are very flexible, allowing it to hold a lot of varnish or paint. It works well when feathering oil-based paints for a smooth finish.
04. Sash Paint Brush
This metal-bound, rubber-set brush comes with a rounded or pointed tip. Originally designed to help paint complicated sash windows, it is the perfect tool for edging, lining, and stippling paint on small areas. A sash brush is used for painting small surfaces that need extreme care. You can also use it for mixing samples of paint and in cases where you don’t want to dirty a larger paintbrush. If you master this tool, you can paint effortlessly without needing to mask off.
05. Stippling Paint Brush
A rectangular brush with tufted bristles, a stippling brush, is used to remove brush marks from freshly-painted surfaces. Most painters use stippling brushes that are about 2 inches (5cm) square, as larger stipplers become heavy after a while.
06. All-Purpose Paint Brush
Any interior decorator should have a good selection of all-purpose brushes. Opt for the more expensive ones as the cheaper brushes don’t last long.
07. Softener Brush or Natural-Bristle Blender
This is one of the best painter’s brushes if you want to become a serious decorative artist. The softener brush is made from long, very soft bristles of pure badger hair and is used to blend away brushstrokes from wet glazes. It is an effective tool used to create an out-of-focus effect or a colour-washed effect. Bear in mind that these brushes are expensive, so you will need to thoroughly clean them after use. You will also need to regularly condition them with a hair conditioner to keep them in top condition.
Different Types of Painting Tools Every Painter You Should Have
Apart from paint brushes, painters will need different tools to make the paint job easy, efficient, and good-looking. Here are some of the essential tools painters need to have in their arsenal:
01. Pile Rollers
Pile rollers are a very useful tool for painters. Different rollers help painters achieve different paint effects and textures. For example, a short-piled roller can give you a smooth finish, while a long-piled roller can give you a textured finish. However, small rollers sold with gloss paint are a great tool to have if you are a painter, as they are easy to maintain.
02. Mohair Paint Applicators
Made from hair from Angora goats, these paint applicators are smoother than a pile roller and faster than a regular paint brush. They are a good tool to have in your painter’s kit as they are more economical with paint and are easy to clean.
03. Paint Bucket
This one is a no-brainer. They are great containers for paint or glaze as they are sturdy and reliable. You can hang the bucket from the top of your ladder with a hook or with its handle. If you have a plastic bucket, then you don’t need to worry about washing it after use. The paint will dry and the bucket will be ready to use again. However, if you are working with a steel bucket, you will need to clean and maintain it carefully as it is more expensive than its plastic counterparts.
04. Paint Tray
A paint tray is not only used while rolling painting, but is also used for mixing small amounts of paint and holding open paint cans.
05. Tack Clothes
Tack cloth is lightly soaked with spirits and oils to help you wipe off dust after sanding a wooden object and before priming, painting and varnishing said object. It comes separately or as a roll and is sold as disposable.
06. Sandpaper
Sandpaper is another tool to have in your kit. It is used for smoothening surfaces. Sandpaper comes in different grits and gives different finishes based on the fineness. They are such a great tool that not just painters, but even professionals like carpenters, metal workers, jewellery makers among others use it. Painters use it to smooth down surfaces before painting, clean up paint drips from a carpet, remove imperfections, etc.
To conclude, while these paint brushes and tools are useful to painters in their day-to-day work, your level of skill in using them ultimately determines the result. We hope this article has been helpful in learning the different paint brushes and tools you need in your painter’s kit.
We have also written a similar article related to this topic, you may refer to the following link:
Important Painting Tips
Image Courtesy: Image 7, Image 14
Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.
