Paint brushes aren’t all built the same. They come in different sizes, qualities, bristle types, and angles for doing different jobs. And if you’re painting trim, you’ll want one designed specifically for that purpose. It’s just a matter of understanding the right paint brushes for trim.
Anatomy of a Paint Brush
Here are the terms you’ll need to know to understand your paint brush choices:
- Ferrule: Between the handle and the bristles of a brush is a ferrule. This part is made from thin metal that attaches bristles to the handle.
- Heel: The part of the ferrule closest to the bristles is called the heel.
- Bristles: We all know this one. Bristles are the hair or fibers of your brush that hold paint. They can be coarse or soft and come in varying lengths. You can find natural bristles (made from animal hair) and synthetic bristles (man-made plastics such as polyester, nylon, or a combination of both).
- Belly: This is the middle part of the bristles. The belly holds the maximum amount of paint.
- Toe: The end of the bristles. It may be cut straight at the end or cut at an angle.
What Makes a Good Brush for Trim?
Maybe you’ve tried your hand at painting before and gotten streaky finishes. Or maybe the brush shed bristles onto your nice painted surface, or the brush dripped no matter how careful you were, or it wouldn’t paint a nice, straight edge. These are all signs of a poor-quality brush.
A quality brush holds more paint, makes less mess, and applies the paint evenly. Look for these markers of quality in a brush:
Bristle Quality
A good paint brush will have:
- A smooth tip is essential. Grab the brush and feel the tips of the bristles on your other hand. Bristles should be smooth and soft and have varying lengths around the toe to achieve a slim tip. A well-tipped brush gives better coverage, sharper lines when cutting in, and an overall smoother texture.
- Good bend recovery is a sign of good bristles. Pull the bristles to one side with your hand and release to check the bend recovery. Solid bristles spring back when you bend at the base, but cheap, hollow bristles crimp. Look for nice bounce and flexibility.
- High bristle density is essential for holding paint. Hold the brush up and look inside the bristles. They should be densely packed from the ferrule and not have a filler strip in the middle. If bristles aren’t tightly packed, your brush will have voids that will fill with paint and drip when you paint.
Bristle Type
There are two types of bristles you can choose from: natural and synthetic.
- Natural bristles are made from animal hair. Natural bristle paint brushes have natural flagging (fuzzy or split ends) that hold more paint and aid in even and smooth paint release and finish. These brushes are best for applying oil-based paints, shellac, polyurethane, varnishes, and other oil-based finishes. They don’t match well with water-based paints because hair absorbs water and swells.
- Synthetic bristles are typically blended nylon or polyester that works great with all latex paints. Polyester retains its shape well, and nylon is very durable. Combined, they make a high-quality paint brush. Synthetic brushes can handle numerous projects – nylon/polyester blends hold their shape and stiffness for most paint types and give a smooth finish. They are quite long-lasting with proper care.
Well-Constructed Handle and Ferrule
What makes a handle and ferrule well-constructed?
- The ferrule should be attached firmly to the handle so it does not move around or fall apart with use.
- Metal ferrules on wood handles work best. Look for a brush with a metal ferrule that is nailed firmly into a solid wood handle.
- Stay away from poorly constructed brushes where the handle is made of plastic and the ferrule is simply machine stamped onto it. These are usually cheap and might tempt you, but remember that a well-constructed paint brush will give you many years of use and an unmatchable finish.
- The handle shape should be comfortable. Flat handles do not have contouring which means your hand will start hurting after extended use. Kaiser handles are shaped according to your grip and are more comfortable. Beaver-tail handles are your best pick because they are thick and ergonomically well-shaped for extended use.
The Right Brush Size
Trim is generally quite narrow – just a few inches in width – so you want a narrow brush as well.
Paint brushes come in widths from one to four inches. The size essentially defines speed and precision and you can select a size based on your preferences too. But here’s a good rule of thumb:
- 1- to 2-inch brush: For painting windows mullion, tight corners, and other small, narrow trims. These brushes are also known as trim or sash brushes. They can be angled or straight.
- 2.5- to 3-inch brush: Angled brushes in this width are good for painting window frames, moldings, casings, and cutting-in edges of ceilings and walls too. Whereas straight brushes in this size are good for painting cabinets, stairs, baseboards, furniture, railings, gutters, shutters, etc.
- 4-inch brush: Use for flat, big surfaces such as walls, decks, exterior sidings, masonry, floors, ceilings, doors, fences, and more. You may be able to use these for fascia, which is a kind of exterior trim that can be 10-12 inches wide, but recommend not using such a wide brush for any other kind of trim.
The Brush Shape
Brushes come in all shapes. They have flat edges, rounded edges, and angled edges. Let’s cut to the chase: For trim, you want either a narrow one to three-inch brush with a straight edge or one with an angled edge. Your brush should have the flexibility to change shape when it’s used in difficult spaces but should always return to its original shape afterward.
The best brushes for trim are:
Thin Angle Sash
This brush style has a thin profile, long handle, and slanted bristles. It’s best for cutting in corners and edges and cutting in before rolling. The angled bristle tip makes it easier to control the line of paint and gives more precise results.
The bristles cut at an angle make it easier to fill around door and window frames, corners, straight lines, and ceiling corners. Angled brushes also have a lot fewer bristles than a wall brush would because holding more paint is not the primary purpose of these brushes, maneuverability control and precision are.
Angle Sash
An angled brush features slanted bristles and is wider than a thin angle sash to hold more paint. It’s an excellent choice for cutting in at ceilings or painting trims and other detail work.
Bristle Type
The bristle type largely depends on the type of paint you’re using.
For water-based paints that can be cleaned with water (latex), use a synthetic bristle brush. Natural bristles soak moisture from water-based paints and become too soft or weak to spread the paint, hence ruining the outcome, so avoid them.
For oil-based paints that cannot be washed away with water, use a natural bristle brush. You can also use a synthetic bristle brush for this paint type but natural bristles give a smoother finish.
Hard Bristles vs. Soft Bristles
Hard brushes hold their shape and make it easier to paint in a straight line. They provide crisp lines when cutting in or filling around doors, windows, and trims. They also hold thicker coatings better than soft brushes.
On the other hand, soft brushes give a super smooth finish because they do not leave brush strokes behind. They’re perfect for painting furniture, doors, and trim work.
Best Paints for Trim and Baseboards
Like your brush, the kind of paint you use will largely determine the success of your paint job. For trim and baseboards, you have three basic kinds:
| Paint Type | Pros | Cons |
| Oil-based | Durable and long-lasting Resists chipping and fading Easily cleaned | Longer drying time Strong odor Potential for yellowing Cleanup requires mineral spirits |
| Latex | Quick-drying Low VOC Easy cleanup with soap and water Wide range of colors | Not as durable in moist environments Potential for chipping and fading Adhesion issues on some surfaces |
| Acrylic-Alkyd Hybrid | Durable Low VOC Quick-drying Resists chipping and fading | Limited availability Not ideal for very cold temperatures |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only for small jobs like touching up painted surfaces. Disposable brushes tend to be of lower quality and may leave streaks or may drip paint because their bristles are not tightly packed. A good, high-quality paint brush will cost a few dollars more but is well worth the extra money.
You really should not. Walls are usually painted with a satin, eggshell, or flat finish, whereas trim is traditionally finished in semi-gloss or gloss. However, it is possible to use the same color on both walls and trim for a put-together look.
Yes, you can paint wooden trim without sanding in some cases. We recommend sanding trim for proper paint adhesion, but you can bypass this step by using a high-quality primer designed to adhere to glossy or sealed surfaces. However, keep in mind that skipping sanding might lead to durability issues in the long run.
The Final Word
Painting trim is one of the most challenging parts of your painting project because of the precision needed to achieve straight lines and professional-looking results. But you can also achieve professional results by, well, hiring a professional. Click here to find a pro near you.
Main Image Credit: Scukrov / Canva Pro / License
