Best Paint Brushes For Smooth Finish

Achieving a smooth finish consistently with a paintbrush can be challenging. There are higher risks of getting a nasty result, especially when you’re not using the appropriate tool for the job.

So, today I’m going to show you the best paint brushes for smooth finish that you can use right away to get the finish you desire without breaking the bank.

Besides, these brushes are easy to use. Even if you’re a novice or an amateur painter, you can still paint your walls, doors, cabinets, fences, decks, touch-ups, arts, and get a mind-blowing finish without wasting too much time and energy.

Best Paint Brush for Smooth Finish

Benefits of Using Paintbrushes

Is paintbrushes really worth it?

You might think that painting with a brush is messy. It requires more work and time, unlike paint sprayers.

And because “time is money,” you might decide to just settle for a spray gun instead.

Well, you MIGHT be right. Painting a home’s interior or exterior is a time-consuming project, which compels you to look for means to facilitate the process – like using roller or power sprayer.

But, you’ll be shocked at how painting the old-fashioned way (using these brushes), hold several advantages like the following:

Read Also: Turbine Paint Sprayer Reviews

Greater Control, with Smoother Finish

There is nothing more noticeable than a lousy finish. Lap marks are a huge frustration for DIY homeowners attempting to paint their homes.

The paintbrush for a smooth finish enables you to pick up paint without worrying about lap marks in paint sheen and color. Thus, they provide a great amount of control and guarantee a professional-looking finish.

Affordability

You can own a high-quality paintbrush, without breaking the bank. These paintbrushes are affordable. So, if you’re on a budget, yet looking for a high-quality product for your next project, we have you covered.

The handles were made from heavy-duty solid wood, and the brush combines OX-hair with Chinese bristle for smoothness.

It Economizes your Paint

Paintbrush is the best bet because they can conserve your paint. Unlike spraying, you waste an incredible amount of paint, because much of it drifts into the air.

However, with a paintbrush, you can use a gallon per 400 square feet of paint to finish a large project.

Better paint coverage

You can easily achieve uniform coverage, using the best paintbrush for a smooth finish.

They’re excellent for covering knots or crack that requires an extra coat of paint. Unlike other traditional brushes or sprayers, these areas often get the thinness coats of paint.

It requires less preparation

When painting by hand, there is no need to mask and tarps any area or wear personal proactive equipment.

You can just throw in a pair of old jeans and a shirt, open the can, and start painting – preparation is less than ten minutes. If you’re the type that likes to get started as soon as possible, these brushes are for you.

Paintbrushes For Smooth Finish Reviews

1. Wooster Brush Q3108-4 Paintbrush

The Wooster Brush Q3108-4 is one of the prominent Wooster brushes. It has soft brush tips that give a smooth and even finish for all latex and oil-based paints.

In addition, the brush can hold more paint, which makes it time-save and less likely to cause streaks.

The white nylon, gold polyester is resistant to wear. It will never pull off or break while using it.

The steel ferrule is brass-plated, therefore it is immune to rust. Also, the handle is a short pearl-yellow, solid plastic Kaiser that’s comfortable and easy to control without causing hand fatigue.

Using Wooster makes you feel confident about professional results on touch-ups, doors, trims, cabinet, furniture, walls, fences, and more. They’re also perfect for cutting crisp lines

The ideal brush for use with oil paints
The bristles blend color excellently
It has comfortable Handle to grip
No paint dripping off the brush
The bristles keep separating

2. Purdy 140853100 XL Brush 3 Pack

This paintbrush is a 3 piece value pack that consists of 2 inch XL Sprig, 1-1/2 inch XL Glide, and 1 inch XL Dale.

It’s a reliable sturdy tool for smoother NO DRAG brush strokes finish. The brush has superb paint lifting ability to hold a large quantity of paint without dripping.

Due to the XL brushes’ retention, they’re suitable for a wide variety of paints and stains, at all types of environments – both hot and humid conditions.

Purdy’s XL is versatile, durable, and has greater efficiency in production. It works perfectly for both interior and exterior painting projects like touch-up, trim, small/medium-sized surface jobs, and more.

Lastly, the XL-Dale features a round square edge ferrule and an angular trim, as well as a rattail, comfortable hardwood handle.

Whereas, the XL-Sprig has a flat trim, round edge ferrule, with a beavertail comfortable hardwood handle. To get you up and running.

The finish is pretty smooth
It’s long-lasting
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor
Very comfortable to use
Conducive in any condition
The brush is too soft
The Bristles come off easily

3. Pro Grade 2PK Paint Brush For Smooth Finish

The Pro-Grade comes with 3 inches flat and 2-1/2 inch Angle home brush. The paintbrush is of the highest quality, yet at an affordable price.

The synthetic filament blend enables the brush to hold enough paint, which saves time and fewer streaks. You can painlessly achieve a premium finish with all latex, oil-based paints, and stains.

Also, the Prograde features a thinner tip at the end that offers better control for ease cutting in trims, walls, doors, arts, decks, and more.

The stainless steel ferrules were designed for long term use. Hence, you can wash it and reuse it for all your next projects without diminishing its quality.

The design is not only good-looking but also durable. The handles were made of smooth hardwood that is convenient to use for an extended period, without fatigue.

Good cost for good quality
Ideal for both indoor/outdoor project
Excellent for all Paints and stains
Perfect for all users
Easy to achieve a smooth finish
Inappropriate packaging (only on the brush)

4. Wooster Shortcut Q3211-2 Paintbrush for smooth finish

This Wooster Q3211-2 might be short, but it can offer the uniform, smooth coverage that you want. The brush is resistant to wear even when using acrylics, latex, and water-based stains.

It has a High pick up capability for better precision. The white nylon and gold polyester blend classic for all types of paints.

Besides, the brush can hold a large quantity of paint and deliver it with accuracy. That said, you can do the most mini DIY project in one sitting.

Kudos to Wooster, the 2 ¼ long purple innovative handle makes flexibility and maneuverability possible even in tight corners. Aside from that, the ferrule is brass-plated steel that can withstand corrosion.

This tool is a high-performance painting tool you should have in your toolkit for confident cutting in, as well as a smooth finish.

The best bet for hard-to-reach areas
Comfortable handle, extreme control, and flexibility
Adequate for most paints and stains
Easy to clean and reuse
It creates a mess when edging

5. Purdy 144080515 XL Elite Dale Paint Brush

Why Choose Purdy XL Elite Dale Paint Brush?

If you’re looking for a tool that can give you the best detail work, the Purdy XL Elite is precisely what you need.

The narrow-angle sash brush surpasses other brands when it comes to cutting in a wall, ceiling, trim, windows, molding, and tight spaces.

On top of that, it is suitable for thicker paint like low-VOC paints and traditional latex paint. You can as well coat with oil-based paints, primers, and stains.

The paintbrush improves performance in the heavier coating. You can handle tedious work fast without burnout.

The design is gratifying. It has a long trim, natural handle that it’s lightweight. The edges are square and its stainless steel ferrule makes it rust-resistant

It’s suitable for all paints and stains
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
Increase cutting in performance
Convenient handle, less fatigue
The bristles are hard to clean

Read Also: Best Paintbrushes for Watercolor

Choosing a PaintBrush for Smooth Finish | Buyer’s Guide

Below are some salient factors to consider when opting for the best paintbrush for a smooth finish.

Types of Bristles

The nature of the bristle plays a significant role in detail work, cutting in, as well as getting a smooth finish. So it’s crucial to look for the bristle that’s acceptable for the material you’re using.

Bristles are mainly three:

Natural bristles

Natural bristle was gotten from animal hair. They’re stiff and springy, which makes them work perfectly well with oil-based materials.

They’re easy to clean and ideal for a large project. However, if you want finer detail finish in smaller areas, you should switch up to sable brushes.

Sable brushes

They’re excellent for glazing, blending, and obtaining soft, less-defined marks. The top-notch ones are in size one-half inch in width – or even smaller.

Synthetic bristles

These are man-made of either nylon or a polyester filament. The Synthetic bristles are 5X more versatility than natural bristles because they’re applicable with acrylic and oil-based paints. They’re also an economical alternative.

It is resistant to damage, easier to clean up, and they last longer because they are less prone to break.

All three bristles respond differently to various materials. So, ensure they are made for the type of paint you’re using.

Width and Style

Deciding on the kind of width and style of brush you want, depends solely on the type of project you have at hand.

A wider width (with a four-inch flat brush) suits the massive projects. Whereas, narrow width ( two-inch angled brush) will be a better alternative for small task.

The handles matter a lot, as well. The short and dense handle fits small projects. However, if the task is quite bigger, a well-contoured handle with a firm grip is the best choice.

Ferrule

Ensure the metal band holds the bristle firmly and securely. We recommend you tug the bristle a bit to see if the ferrule is in place.

If you’re choosing from our list, don’t worry about the tug-test. We’ve already tested these brushes.

How to Paint With a Paint Brush

Watch the video below to learn how to use a paintbrush:

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of brush is suitable for enamel paint?

Natural bristle brushes are preferable for solvent-based paints (oil or alkyd), especially for enamel or finish work.

How often should I wash my paintbrush?

Rinse with clean water after every color/painting session. Alternatively, wash with mild soap and water each third color/painting session.

Can I leave my paintbrush in water overnight?

No! leaving the brush in water overnight can diminish the quality, or even worse. Keep it for a considerable amount of time and not overnight.

What are the softest paintbrushes?

The softest bristles are sable, mongoose, or soft synthetic brushes.

How do I get a smooth finish with a paintbrush?

After each coat of your paint dries, smooth it out by running fine grit sandpaper (at least 320) over the surface, then wipe with a damp cloth. Even if you can still see some brush strokes, this will help your piece feel nice and smooth.

What is the best paint brush to avoid brush marks?

Use brushes with nylon-polyester bristles. A brush about 2.5 inches wide is a good choice for cabinets. Some painters like the angled bristles of so-called sash brushes.

How do you paint a smooth surface without brush marks?

Tip 4 – Painting Techniques

Don’t press too hard on the brush.
Wet your brush with water before painting.
Paint in the details and then smooth over.
Going back over semi dry paint will cause ripples.
You want to apply a thin coat, but don’t “stretch” the paint on the brush.
Always paint in one direction.

What gives a smoother finish brush or roller?

The porous surface of the roller holds much more paint than a brush and distributes an even layer of paint much faster. Different finishes can be achieved with different rollers: Rollers with a smooth surface will produce a smooth finish. Rollers with a thick or fluffy surface will create a more textured finish.

How do you make paint look smooth?

Sand with non-clogging 180- or 220-grit sandpaper or sanding sponges (look for “non-clogging” or “stearated” on the label). Sand just enough to make the surface feel smooth. After sanding, vacuum and wipe down the door with a damp cloth to remove all the dust.

What kind of brush doesn’t leave brush marks?

The Staalmeester Ultimate ONE synthetic brushes will change how you see paint brushes and it is absolutely the best paint brush for no brush strokes! The blending and quality make of this brush is so good that Jennylyn could not stop raving about it when we got them in stock for the first time.

Why am I get brush marks when painting?

The main reason you get paintbrush marks in the first place is because the paint hasn’t flowed out completely before it’s dried. So, the first tip in avoiding paintbrush lines is to buy slow-drying paint. This is usually higher quality paint that is labeled to take up to 24-hours to dry.

Do foam brushes leave brush marks?

All the negatives of foam brushes really don’t apply when staining. The stain gets wiped off, so air bubbles aren’t an issue. Stain is really thin, so it’s not much work for the brush to spread, and therefore the brush stays intact for a longer period of time.

How do I get a smooth finish on kitchen cabinets?

How To Get A Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Do Your Prep Work.
Use A Good Primer.
Use A Paint Sprayer.
Choose Lacquer Paint.
Purchase A High-Quality Paintbrush And Foam Roller.
Apply With A Brush And Finish With A Roller.
Layer Several Thin, Even Coats.
Sand Lightly Between Coats.

What are good quality paint brushes?

The Best Bristle Brushes for Painting Projects

Artify Professional Paint Brush Set. This natural hog hair set of 15 brushes includes the most units per pack.
Winsor & Newton Winton Long Handle Brushes.
Charles Leonard Flat Tip Paint Brushes.
Grumbacher Bright Oil and Acrylic Brush.
da Vinci Artist Brush Set.

Conclusion

Painting with a brush can be fun and stimulating when you have the best paintbrush for a smooth finish at hand.

So, adding the above paintbrush to your painting collection, will not only yield excellent results but also help you in building an unforgettable painting arsenal.

Even though there are so many brands and models in the market today, with our buyer’s guide and product review, you can easily spot the ideal paintbrush for your next project.

Time is money, invest now, and reap excellent results at the end of each project.

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