Replies

1. 
   jcallahan | Mar 15, 2002 02:28am | #1

   *
   Woosters are good but I like Purdy brushes better. Here's a link to their website
   http://www.purdycorp.com/
   It should answer your questions.

1. 
   C._Webb | Mar 15, 2002 02:43am | #2

   *Thanks jcallahan,I will look at the Purdy brushes.

1. 
   jcallahan | Mar 15, 2002 03:17am | #3

   *When you get some good brushes, don't stop there. Invest in a brush comb and a brush/roller spinner and store the brush in the sleeve it came in. Take good care of them and I think you will find they are less expensive in the long run and you can do a better job to boot.

1. 
   bungalow_jeff | Mar 15, 2002 07:12am | #4

   *My best brushes are from my wife's grandfather. I use cheapy disposables for paint stripper and polyurethane touch-ups. If I could just get my wife to stop dipping brushes in up to the metal, I would never have to buy another brush for finish painting again.

1. 
   evets_ | Mar 15, 2002 07:32am | #5

   *I second Purdy.

2. 
   James_DuHamel | Mar 15, 2002 10:14am | #6

   *I also use Purdy.Make sure that they are cleaned WELL after each use. Use hot water (as hot as you can stand it) and lots of soap. I use liquid dishwashing detergent (Palmolive and Joy are the two I use the most). James DuHamel

3. 
   Jeff_Clarke_ | Mar 15, 2002 04:32pm | #7

   *Purdy is great - if you have a Sherwin Williams store nearby, their brushes are Purdy but with a stainless steel ferrule (worth it).E & J also makes great brushes, particularly their ox hair bristle for alkyd paints.You have the usage correct on synthetic vs. natural.Have fun,Jeff

4. 
   ken_hill | Mar 16, 2002 01:37am | #8

   *Ditto ditto ditto on all the above recommendos. Yes- Purdy is what I use, too. Get the brush comb, keep 'em clean, don't let paint build up in the ferrule, and they'll last a long time. Joy to use a good brush and worth the premium $$$ you will pay. Also, buy THE BEST roller covers, don't be cheap on this, it's just like the brushes (altho they don't last as long as brushes!). When I've got more than one day to be painting with a roller, I just toss the roller cover in the bucket submerged in the paint, no unecessary cleaning that way. I work on a 5-story office building and do frequent repaints, so in each 5 gal. bucket of paint lives a roller cover.........Hey, I've been looking for one of those spinners for roller cover cleaning. Usually use a hose sprayer at high pressure to soak and spin. Anybody know a source? -Ken

5. 
   jcallahan | Mar 16, 2002 04:29am | #9

   *Got my spinner from the local lumberyard/ Bennie Moore dealer. Try the local paint stores ...... if that fails try a hardware store ........ if they belong to Ace or one of the other big wholesalers, they should be able to get it for you if they don't have it.

6. 
   Tim_Mooney | Mar 16, 2002 03:35pm | #10

   *All pros use Purdy. They were the first to listen to us that we needed a brush with a long bristle,and feathered ends. Now PPG wishes they would have listened.Sherwin Williams jumps on what ever band wagon the money is on.Try a sheep skin roller cover.Happy painting trails , Tim

7. 
   ken_hill | Mar 16, 2002 09:39pm | #11

   *Tim- Got MY sheepskin hanging on the wall. :o) Sure you meant lambswool- the best. -Ken

8. 
   Mongo_ | Mar 17, 2002 06:53pm | #12

   *One other tidbit...if your paint needs thinning, don't use water for latex and mineral spirits for oil to thin, unless you are looking to achieve some sort of faux-effect.Instead, use Penetrol for oil-based, and Floetrol for water-based.Congrats on choosing good brushes. People have no idea how much a quality brush improves the quality of the job...they make painting less frustrating.Investing in a spinner and comb is excellent advice. Those $30 of clean-up tools, combined with proper brush storage, will make your quality brushes last forever.The key to painting is in the foundation...proper surface prep, priming, and a tack cloth cleaned surface will really improve the look of the final job.

9. 
   Dave_Richeson | Mar 17, 2002 08:59pm | #13

   *I also use a product called Save-A-Brush to deep clean my brushes after several jobs. There rae two varieties,(1) powder for latex use brushes,and (2) liguid for oil base natural fiber brushes. I have brushes that are over ten years old thanks to diligent cleaning and peiodic use of this product. I get it at Sherwin Williams and Porter Paint stores.

10. 
    Lisa_Long | Mar 17, 2002 10:45pm | #14

    *I've liked Wooster brushes but got my first Purdy about a month ago and it is indeed a great brush. Purdy also has different brushes for indoor work and outdoor work (as I understand it the indoor brushes put on a lighter finer coat which dries more smoothly but dries too fast when it's over 80 degrees outside). The indoor brush I'm using in the bathroom is smooth as silk.

11. 
    Phill_Giles | Mar 17, 2002 11:56pm | #15

    *Do you use/recommend the Baker roller-covers ?

12. 
    ANDY_C._CLIFFORD | Mar 18, 2002 12:10am | #16

    *OK.....Purdy so far IS the best and I hate to say it but HD carries them....Spinner is most important which works for rollers anddd brushes. Brush's go IN the spinner and rollers go OVER the spinners. Theres a new five in one tool now....maybe that makes it a six in one tool ....has a brush comb on it now,,,,found it at......hate to say it...HD. Floetrol is a fantastic paint additive not just for spray painting but for rolling. Gives you the time to go back and roll out the "holidays" that you see as you're almost done from the corner of your eye, not to mention it makes the rolling go sooooo smooth.Actually costs nothing cause it adds to the gallon......well close to nothing. Stilts and rolling polls are serious musts on a big job. Stilts is A #1 . I've been using them for years for everything. If you don't have tons of work then look on Ebay....I saw dozens of pairs there cheap!!! Easy to get into. Takes you about fifteen minutes and youre good. Just always look for a place to fall just in case.lol... In all the years I haven't fallen yet. Came close though....lol...Customers love coming home and seeing me walk up the stairs on my stilts weather I'm painting, spackeling or just cleaning/prepping walls. Blue tape on hard to cut in areas.another must.....geezzz I hate painting,,,,,oh yeh...just finsished painting my home /spec house in a whole lotta deep dark rich colors....OMG....don't do that for customers without charging an arm and a leg...and use the blue tape on EVERYTHING that isnt darrk like ceilings and trim.

13. 
    The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Mar 18, 2002 05:41am | #17

    *Not just Purdy... Purdy Ovals... I only use ovals... but yaa need to be a man to drag one around for a day.near the stream,aj

2. 
   clwebb | Mar 20, 2002 10:44pm | #18

   Hey everybody,

   I think I made it. I just wanted to say thanks again for the good information. It's going to take some time to get used to this new board.

   C