Paint brushes for cutting in walls, painting trim, doors and cabinets, laying down varnish and polyurethane, and staining decks and fences. This page groups every brush we list by the job, from Wooster, Purdy, Proform, Premier, Linzer and Bestt Liebco: synthetic angle sash brushes for latex, natural China bristle brushes for oil-based finishes, chip and foam brushes for touch-ups, and wide block brushes for stain.
Pick the filament for the coating first. Purdy's rule of thumb is synthetic filaments for all paints and stains and natural bristle for oil-based coatings. Wooster says nylon and Chinex filaments are built for today's latex paints, polyester holds its shape in heat, and natural China bristle is the classic choice for oil-based varnish, enamel and stain. Then pick the stiffness: soft brushes level fine finishes, and firm or extra-firm brushes give more control with thick or fast-drying paint.
Choose by job
| Job |
Brushes for it |
Notes (maker) |
| Cutting in walls, ceilings and trim with latex |
Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash (1-1/2, 2 and 2-1/2 in; 2 in short handle), Wooster Chinex FTP (1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2 in), Wooster Ultra/Pro Firm (1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2 in), Wooster Alpha (2, 2-1/2 in), Wooster Gold Edge 2 in, Purdy Clearcut Glide (2, 2-1/2, 3 in), Purdy XL Sprig 2 in, Proform Picasso (2, 2-1/2, 3 in), Proform 70/30 Blend 2 in |
Purdy designs Clearcut for precise cut-in lines with latex paints and primers, and calls XL its most versatile series for latex and oil. Wooster Chinex FTP is extra-firm 100% Chinex for all paints and stains, including fast-drying and low-VOC coatings. Proform Picasso uses an Advantage PBT filament blend with hand-chiseled tips for cutting in walls, ceilings, trim and sash. |
| Thick, fast-drying or low-VOC paint; hot, humid days |
Wooster Ultra/Pro Extra-Firm Lindbeck (2, 3 in), Purdy Chinex Elite Glide (2-1/2, 3 in), Purdy Chinex Elite Sprig (2-1/2, 3 in), Purdy Chinex Elite Swan 3 in |
Wooster says Ultra/Pro Extra-Firm keeps control with thick or fast-drying paints and primers in hot, humid weather, and Chinex holds its stiffness in heat and humidity. Purdy builds Chinex Elite for heavy-bodied and low-VOC paints and textured surfaces such as stucco, rough-sawn lumber and brick. Swan is a flat wall brush. |
| Smooth finish on cabinets, doors and trim |
Wooster Silver Tip Thin Angle Sash (1, 2-1/2 in), Wooster Silver Tip Flat Varnish 2 in, Purdy Nylox Elasco 2-1/2 in, Purdy Nylox Elasco Flat Sash 2 in |
Wooster Silver Tip is a soft blend of 100% CT polyester that levels paint and helps reduce brush marks, listed for all paints, especially enamels, varnish, polyurethane and thinner water-based coatings. Purdy Nylox is 100% dyed nylon for an ultra-smooth finish with semi-gloss to high-gloss latex on doors, cabinets, windows and trim. |
| Oil-based varnish, polyurethane, enamel and stain |
Wooster Yachtsman White China Flat Sash (2, 2-1/2, 3 in), Purdy White China Bristle Sprig 3 in |
Wooster's Yachtsman uses chisel-cut natural white China bristle for oil-based varnish, enamel and other fine finishes. Purdy makes its White Bristle series for oil-based stains, polyurethanes, wood conditioners and clears. Natural bristle is for oil-based coatings, not latex. |
| Broad flat faces such as doors, siding boards and shutters |
Wooster Ultra/Pro Firm Flat Beavertail 3 in, Purdy Chinex Elite Swan 3 in, Wooster Factory Sale Flat Sash 4 in |
Wooster notes that flat sash and beavertail styles suit broader faces like doors and siding boards, while angle sash is the usual pick for cutting in. |
| Deck, fence and siding stain |
Bestt Liebco Master Stainer (3, 4, 4-3/4, 5-1/2 in), Linzer 3550 Staining and Waterproofing 4 in, Ready Seal Staining Brush 7 in |
Bestt Liebco makes the Master Stainer as a 100% white China bristle block brush for water-based and oil-based stains, preservatives and waterproofers, with a screw-in handle threaded for a standard extension pole. The Linzer 3550 is a 4 inch polyester and bristle block brush with a threaded grip that takes extension poles. |
| Touch-ups, glue, resin and shop jobs |
Premier white China bristle chip brushes (1, 1-1/2, 3 in), Wooster solvent-proof chip brushes (2, 3 in), Linzer foam brushes (2, 3 in), Wooster Factory Sale Flat Sash (1-1/2, 2 in) |
Premier catalogs its single-thick chip brushes as 100% white China bristle with a wood handle, for all paints. Wooster lists its pure bristle chip brush as solvent-proof for glue, resin, cleanup and shop tasks. Wooster Factory Sale is a soft polyester economy brush for latex and oil. |
Also useful: the Wooster Painter's Comb for combing dried paint out of bristles, the Linzer Project Select brush extender for reaching high trim, and the Bercom Handy Paint Pail with brush magnet.
Shop related: painter's tape, painter's tools and jobsite essentials, cabinet refinishing, and primers and sealers.
FAQ
Which paint brush is best for latex paint?
A synthetic brush. Purdy recommends synthetic filaments for all paints and stains, and Wooster says nylon and Chinex are built for latex. Everyday picks here are Wooster Chinex FTP, Ultra/Pro Firm and Alpha, Purdy Clearcut Glide and XL, and Proform Picasso.
Which brush should I use for oil-based polyurethane or varnish?
Natural white China bristle. Wooster's Yachtsman is made for oil-based varnish, enamel and fine finishes, and Purdy's White China Bristle Sprig is made for oil-based stains, polyurethanes and clears. For water-based poly, Wooster lists the soft polyester Silver Tip for varnish, polyurethane and thinner water-based coatings.
What is a China bristle chip brush used for?
Premier's chip brushes are single-thick 100% white China bristle with a wood handle, listed for all paints, in 1, 1-1/2 and 3 inch widths. The Wooster pure bristle chip brushes are solvent-proof and suited to glue, resin, cleanup and shop jobs. Both are low-cost picks for touch-ups, stain and small jobs.
Angle sash or flat brush?
Angle sash brushes are the common choice for cutting in along ceilings, corners and trim. Flat sash and beavertail styles cover broader faces like doors, shutters and siding boards.
Soft, firm or extra-firm?
Per Wooster, soft brushes such as Silver Tip level fine finishes, while firm and extra-firm brushes give more control with thick or fast-drying paint. Chinex stays stiff in heat and humidity.
Which brush is best for deck or fence stain?
A wide block brush. The Bestt Liebco Master Stainer (3 to 5-1/2 inch) works with water-based and oil-based stains and threads onto an extension pole, and the Linzer 3550 4 inch block brush has a threaded grip for poles too.
How do I clean a good brush?
Clean it right after use with the cleaner that matches the paint: water for latex, mineral spirits for oil. The Wooster Painter's Comb helps pull out heavy paint buildup.
