Painting may seem easy, but unless you know how to use a paint brush like a pro, you can end up with a mess and a very dissatisfying home improvement project. Using one can be more complicated than you think, so read our guide on how to use a paint brush like a pro.
Loading a Brush
Loading a brush means dipping the paint brush in the paint. However, there is a proper way to do it using paint from the can, bucket, or paint tray.
Prep
Dip the bristles in water before painting with acrylic or latex paint, or dip them into mineral spirits (used as a paint thinner or solvent) before painting with oil paint. Both will allow the paint to stick to your brush longer and make your brush easier to clean up.
After wetting your brush, blot it with a dry cloth to keep it from dripping. You want your brush to be damp, not wet.
Properly Loading The Brush
Squirt your paint onto your easel, pour it onto your paint tray, or mix the paint in the can or bucket before you start, as the pigments in the paint can separate when it isn’t used.
Dip the bristles of your brush about halfway into the paint. Don’t dip them further, or your brush will become harder to clean.
To keep the paint from dripping:
- Knock the excess paint off, or your brush will drip as you move it and your first brush stroke will be saturated in paint and differ from the others.
- Tap both sides of the brush against the side of the paint tray, can, or bucket, or drag the bristles back and forth next to the dollop of paint on your easel.
Cutting In
Use a paint brush rather than a roller to paint edges, corners, walls, ceilings, trim, and baseboards for a more controlled paint job.
Angle brushes are best for cuts (a straight line where two colors meet) and edges, as it glides easiest on the wall. Grip yours by the ferrule (the metal collar under the bristles). For greater precision, lay your thumb on the side above the ferrule’s edge and slide your index finger on top. (Think of it like holding a pen or pencil). Use your remaining fingers to balance it.
Cut in the wall at the ceiling corners from right to left if you’re left-handed, and vice-versa if you’re right-handed. Press the brush against the wall with enough pressure to bend the bristles (don’t over-press), and use the narrow edge of the brush to paint. Keep your wrist steady and move your entire arm to apply the paint.
Start from the top and work down, painting with light, even brush strokes.
Pro Tip: Cut in before using a paint roller, as painting with a roller is much faster than cutting in, so you’ll get the most time-consuming part out of the way first.
Larger Flat Areas
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and paint in diagonal strokes to allow the bristles to brush against the surface. Use just enough pressure to flex the bristles.
While you move your arm, soften your grip and let the bristles drag behind you while you paint. This will keep you from having to refill your brush as frequently.
Smoothing Out
After applying the paint, smooth it out to remove any brush strokes going in different directions.
Paint in long, smooth strokes, covering each section you paint 2-3 times to even out the painted surface. After each stroke, lift the brush from the surface to feather the paint and get a smoother finish. Reload the brush and continue painting until you fill-up the area.
Pro Tip: Take your time with this step. You want to fill in any specks you missed the first time, and doing so requires finesse.
Cleaning Up
Now that you’ve finished painting, it’s time to clean your brush. Otherwise, the paint will harden on it and make it unusable, and it wouldn’t be fun to ruin your high-quality brush.
- Scrape the brush against the edge of the paint can to remove the excess paint.
- Discard the remaining paint by painting on a sheet of newspaper in an “X” motion until the brush is dry.
- For water-based paint users, wash your paint brush in water. For oil-based paint users, wash it with mineral spirits.
- Wash the brush with soap and water to remove any remaining paint or solvent.
- Slap your brush against your hand a few times to realign the bristles.
- Use a paint brush comb to reshape the brush. You can buy one at your local hardware store.
- Wrap the brush in a paper towel and secure it with a rubber band.
Types of Brushes
High-quality paint and a good brush are the secrets to a professional paint job. That said, no brush works for every type of paint. Make sure you buy the best brush you can for the type of paint you use.
There are two types of brushes: artist’s and painter’s. We’ll cover both of them below.
Artist’s Brush
Use an artist’s paint brush for fine, detail work. You can use one to paint small surfaces or add details to a wall while repainting your house.
Choose between natural and synthetic brushes. Use natural bristles for oil-based paints and synthetic bristles for acrylic paints.
There are multiple types of brushes, all of which create different types of lines:
- Round brushes: These brushes have a round tip that lets you apply many types of lines in different textures.
- Flat brushes: You can hold them flat on their broadside to make a thick line or turn them on their side to make a thin line.
- Filbert brushes: These brushes have a rounded tip in the center. You can make strokes of different sizes by holding the bristles against the surface.
- Fan brushes: Their bristles flare out to the sides (think of a handheld fan), letting you create unique textures and details.
- Liner brushes: Long and thin, these brushes are ideal for creating small, delicate strokes.
Painter’s Brush
As the name suggests, painter’s brushes are typically used by painters to paint interior walls or large surfaces. They’re 1-4 inches wide and have an hourglass-shaped handle.
Like artist’s brushes, painter’s brushes come in natural and synthetic bristles. Use a natural brush for oil-based paints and primers and a synthetic brush for latex paints.
There are several types of painter’s brushes:
- Square-cut brushes: They’re perfectly flat on the end and are only used to paint flat surfaces.
- Angle brushes: The bristles are at a 30 to 45-degree angle, making them ideal for painting corners and trim (see our guide on paint brushes for trim for more information). You can also hold them at an angle to turn them into flat brushes.
- Round brushes: These have rounded bristles and are only used for details and mural paintings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use painter’s tape when cutting in?
Beginners use painter’s tape to block off areas they don’t want to paint and peel it off after painting for a perfect line.
Professional painters also use tape to ensure straight lines, prevent overlaps, and keep paint from getting onto surfaces like molding or ceiling. However, they claim that painter’s tape doesn’t guarantee a professional paint job, as even the best tapes can bleed through.
Is there a cheap paint brush I can use?
A chip brush is used for touch-ups and is easily disposable.
How can I carry my paint can with me without spilling?
Paint cans have wire or plastic handles you can hang on your arm.
DIY or Hire a Pro
Using a paint brush like a pro is much more complicated than it might seem at first glance, but it will make your interior shine. If you don’t feel comfortable with a paint brush, Paint Gnome can connect you with a pro for a quote.
Main Photo Credit: panya99 / Adobe Stock / License
