The Time Savers


“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”
Socrates


“From the time we're born until we die, we're kept busy with artificial stuff that isn't important”.
Tom Ford


Time is a big deal anymore. Most never seem to have enough of it and once it’s used you can’t get it back. Work, family, kids, sports, friends, cut the grass, paint the house. (aaarrrgh!) Well in this multi part blog (I don’t have time to do it all at once) we are hoping to introduce you to a few things that make the painting faster and more efficient.

Of course the fastest and most efficient way to get that painting project done is to hire a professional paint contractor. Hiring a pro allows you to carry on your day to day life. You can perform more productive and more enjoyable tasks instead of the drudgery of painting. (Hint, hint!)

SO, if we haven’t scared you off yet, the number two tip (number one is hiring me) is purchasing a good brush.

Surprised? Don’t be. A good brush is designed to perform several important functions that will make painting faster and easier.

1. A good brush is designed to hold more paint, so you cover more surface area before having to load (dip) it up again.
2. Pro brushes are designed to release paint quickly and smoothly, with less effort.
3. Pro brushes are offered in multiple designs and filament materials. This allows you to tailor the brush to your needs.
4. With proper care, pro brushes would likely last a homeowner a lifetime.

We could write several blogs on just which brush to use where. So in the interest of brevity let’s narrow it down to just a couple. Today, most painters and homeowners alike use predominately latex/acrylic paints. So, a synthetic bristle brush is in order.

Brushes do come in several levels of “stiffness”. As a general rule, if you are working in the heat a stiffer brush is better. The heat will slightly soften the bristles.

Brushes also come in different widths, angles and shapes. Again, in the interest of brevity, we recommend you use the widest brush you are comfortable with. This allows maximum paint pickup and release while dipping (loading) less.

If you are cutting in trim, you are going to want an angled brush. If you are doing siding or flat boards you probably want a straight brush.

If you want a recommendation. If I had to have just one brush, I’d go with Wooster Brush’s Alpha line. They have the stiffness, can be used in all paints and are available in most popular shapes and sizes. A 2 or 2.5 inch angled sash is good for most novices. Pro’s are going to have a selection. (One of my favorite’s is the semi oval)

Hope this information helps. If you are looking for local help, go to an actual paint store, the big box stores won’t have the selection or the personell to help you find the best match.

You can also visit Wooster’s site here. They have great customer service, and online dealer locator and more.

You can also view my earlier review of Wooster’s new Chinex FTP brush by clicking here.

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