Stroking Wooster's Chinex FTP.

A brush to a painter is like money to a banker. It really makes our world go round. Can't imagine being in the business and not using one daily.

The brush you choose not only has an impact on the finished look of the project, but also has a bearing on how quickly and with how much effort the job gets completed. Add the fact that bristle material, weather, product choice and even substrate all effect how well the brush works, make the choices daunting.

My friend John from Wooster sent one of their new Chinex FTP bristle brushes for an evaluation. For those not familiar with Chinex, it is a synthetic bristle that can be used in place of China bristle (animal hair) for alkyd (oil based) paints. It also has the ability to be used in latex paint without affecting the bristles. Something you can't do with natural bristle.

We've had the brush since April and have been slow to put it through the paces because I have found that summer heat makes Chinex too flimsy to use outdoors. So we waited for warm weather and used it in 90 plus degree heat.

Working on a cedar sided home, using PPG's Sun Proof exterior paint, we really got a feel for it. First, unlike the competitors Chinex brush, this one handles the hot stuff. While it did get a little limp in high temps, it did not become too wimpy to use. In fact the brush is pretty darn stiff to begin with.

When the day was done and it was time to clean up, the brush actually cleaned up faster than most. (One of Wooster's selling points for it.)

Other Wooster selling points for the FTP (stands for "For Today's Paints") was increased paint release and reduced drag. Can't testify to that one because I just didn't see it.

Am also bummed out about the lack of reservoir or the amount of paint it holds. I found myself dipping more often then normal. It was the first thing I noticed about the brush, lack of paint.

This is a short term test and we plan on using this brush in different environments and with different products. Right now though, I fail to see a reason to buy this. Wooster's excellent Alpha line does everything this brush does, only better.

Chinex FTP:

Pros:

1. Bristles beat the heat.

2. Can be used in both oil (alkyd) and latex (waterborne) paints.

3. Easy to clean.

Cons:

1. Doesn't hold much paint.

2. Wooster already has a superior product. (Alpha Brushes)