Guide to Purdy Brushes

To achieve the smoothest finish to any paint project—whether staining interior woodwork or updating a home's exterior—you need the right paint brush. Purdy is here to help! In this ultimate guide to paint brushes, you'll discover the types of brushes and get must-know tips about tricky cut-in work. You'll also learn more about Purdy's paint brush offerings and can determine which one is right for your job.

Purdy has been handcrafting paint brushes since 1925. They remain committed to creating the best painting experience by producing products made with superior craftsmanship. Each Purdy professional brush is individually built with raw materials and a quality-promoting production process that is unmatched in the industry. Purdy strives to produce brushes and rollers that deliver an outstanding finish appearance, excellent paint distribution, better overall coverage with less effort, superior cutting-in capabilities, and more. Each Purdy brush is "signed" by the person who made it with a sticker of their initials.

Types of Paint Applicators

Natural bristle brushes are made with Chinese boar bristle (pig hair). The natural taper and split ends on the hair make it ideal for even flow and smooth finish. They are generally used for applying oil-based paints, varnishes, shellacs, and any other oil-based finish. The natural splitting of the animal hairs of these brushes creates split ends, which hold more paint and ensure a smooth paint release and finish. We never recommend using these in water-based product as they tend to get quite soft and lose their rigidity.

Synthetic filament bristle brushes are made of man-made fibres. There are two common types:​* Blended nylon/polyester brushes work with all types of latex (or water-based) or oil (solvent-based) paint and are easy to clean and work with. The combination of fibres (nylon is durable, while polyester retains the brush's shape) produce a high-quality finish. These brushes are built to last for years.

• 100 percent nylon brushes work well with latex (or water-based) paints, but will hold their shape in any paint. They apply paint smoothly and evenly.

Rollers are used to cover large, flat surfaces quickly and efficiently. The type of paint you choose will determine the material of your roller (nylon, polyester, microfiber, dralon, lambswool).

Purdy's Paint Brush Collection

Continue reading to learn more about Purdy's 11 brush collections. From all-around versatility to precision work, Purdy has a brush to fit your painting and refinishing needs.

XL™

Designed for use with all paints and stains, indoors and out, and in all types of environments, Purdy's XL™ Series features the most versatile brushes. The XL series has a distinctive copper ferrule with the right blend of DuPont® solid, round and tapered Tynex® and Orel® filaments for brushes that get the job done no matter what. The XL series is comprised of 14 different brush styles, which each serve a different purpose. Each style comes in various sizes. Here are the types and brush styles in the XL series:

• XL™ Blue Heron™—angular trim with a short fluted handle

• XL™ Blue Heron™ B.T.™—angular trim with a beavertail handle  

• XL™ Bow™—flat slash with a fluted handle 

• XL™ Cub™—angular trim with a short handle 

• XL™ Dale™—angular trim with a rattail handle 

• XL™ Elasco™—flat trim with a fluted handlw

• XL™ Glide™—angular trim with a fluted handle 

• XL™ Moose™—wall with a shasta handle 

• XL™ Nylonia™—wall with a beavertail handle 

• XL™ Pacer™—flatting with a block handle
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• XL™ Pip™—wall with a beavertail handle 

• XL™ Sprig™—flat trim with a beavertail handle 

• XL™ Swan™—wall with a beavertail handle 

• XL™ Titian™—wall with a beavertail handle

Clearcut®

Designed for use with all paints, Purdy's Clearcut® brushes provide excellent cut-in ability. High-performing Tynex® nylon and durable Orel® polyester used in this brush series, allow Clearcut brushes to create well-defined and crisp lines. The superior performance of Clearcut brushes provides precision edging to all of your paint jobs for years to come.

Nylox™

For a flawless finish to any interior painting project, Purdy's Nylox™ brushes provide an ultra smooth painting stroke. Nylox brushes are designed for use with latex paints and are handcrafted with 100 percent nylon filaments from DuPont®. Each brush is carefully tipped and flagged for beautiful results and long lasting performance.

Nylox™ Black

Purdy's original synthetic brush, Nylox™ Black brushes provide an ultra smooth finish and are designed for use with latex paints. Formerly known as Black Nylon, the Nylox Black brushes hold and release a maximum amount of paint and still deliver the smoothest coverage and cleanest edges. Nylox Black brushes are handcrafted from 100 percent Dupont® and Tynex® nylon filaments. When you're looking for a smooth finish with water-based paints, turn to Purdy Nylox Black for long-lasting performance.

Chinex® 

Easy to clean, Purdy's Chinex® brushes release the right amount of paint and are designed for use with heavy bodied and low VOC paints. Made of high quality, solid, round, and tapered (SRT) Chinex filaments that are stronger than hog bristle, these brushes will serve you well for years. The brushes absorb minimal moisture to make for a fast and mess-free cleanup.

White Bristle 

Opt for Purdy's White Bristle brushes to provide an extremely smooth finish and top-of-the-line results onen woodwork, furniture, or marine surfaces. White Bristle Brushes are designed for use with oil-based paints, stains, and clears. They are also effective to use with fine oil-based paints, stains varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and polyurethas.

Black Bristle

Natural filaments provide a smooth finish with Purdy's Black Bristle brushes. Designed for use with oil-based paints and stains, Black Bristle brushes pick up and release more paint than other natural materials. The naturally flagged tips of these brushes produce a smooth finish on all types of surfaces.

Syntox™

For a smooth, mirror-like finish, look no further than Purdy's Syntox™ brushes. They are designed for use with all stains and clears. The highest quality solid, round, and tapered filaments from DuPont ® are used in this, Purdy's softest brush. Syntox brushes outlast Ox-Hair filaments and work well with water- and solvent-based clear finishes.

Purdy's Paint Rollers

Purdy's paint rollers are made with the same dedication to quality as its paint brushes. Purdy produces rollers that load well, reduce splatter, and release paint evenly, for a beautiful and smooth finish to every paint project. Like paint brushes, rollers are available in a wide variety of sizes and can meet every painting need, from a lint-free finish to heavy duty coverage. Learn more about Purdy's paint rollers below.

Revolution Roller Frames

More lightweight and durable the competitors, Purdy Revolution roller frames feature a comfort grip handle that helps reduce arm fatigue. This premium roller cover frame can be used with Purdy® POWER LOCK™ pole or connect to any standard acme threaded pole.

White Dove Roller Covers

 Purdy's most popular roller covers, the White Dove™ series can be used with all paints and exterior stains. White Dove covers excel at producing a smooth, lint-free finish. With a high-density woven cover made of Dralon®, a derivative of nylon, White Dove covers allow paint to flow freely into and out of the cover for easy rolling and a high-quality finish. White Dove covers are able to pick up a large quantity of paint, leading to improved efficiency and productivity.

Painting Tips

Get advice from the experts on your most pressing painting problems, from how to cut in to when to apply the second coat of paint.

Applying a Second Coat
The second coat should be applied within at least two hours of the first coat. If you're working in a humid environment or using a heavily tinted paint, it may take longer. Always read the can label before starting your painting project for more information about dry time and recoating.

Cutting In
Drawing a line separating two paint colours with only a brush, no painter's tape or other aid, can be tricky. But these simple tips will turn you into a pro in no time.

• Use a fully loaded brush
• Holding the brush parallel to the area you're cutting in, allow the brush to open up into a semi-oval and move it to the line you're drawing. Follow the line until the line of paint begins to break up.
• It's best to either hold your breath or breathe out while cutting in.

Paint Touch Ups
Apply the paint using the same method as the original application to avoid a difference in sheen or texture. Also, use paint from the original batch to ensure the colour matches.