Use the right tools for the job you are about to
do and you'll get the best finish.
What type of brush?
Buy the best quality brush you can afford. Cheap
ones have short stubby bristles and are usually
wedged with a piece of wood in the middle. They
lead to uneven coverage and tend to shed
bristles.
A good quality brush has densely-packed, long,
firm and tapered bristles that spring back into
shape when you flex them. These hold the paint
well and help to apply it where you want it.
A combination of a 150mm brush with a 50mm brush
for edges and corners is usually better than a
200mm brush, which can be unwieldy when fully
loaded.
Before putting a new brush into paint, wash the
brush to get rid of dust and loose bristles. Dip
up to a third of the brush into the paint and
gently tap the brush on the side of the tin to
prevent drips. Hold the brush as if you were
holding a pen.
Using a roller
A roller with interchangeable sleeves is good
for painting large areas. Choose one that is
comfortable and not too weighty. Different
finishes are available. The basic rule is that
the smoother the surface you are painting, the
shorter the pile required.
Shaggy, sheepskin-style rollers are best for
textured and uneven surfaces.
It's worth investing in an extension for
reaching places such as hallways and ceilings.
Use a radiator roller for painting behind
radiators.
Tip the paint into a roller tray first. Make
sure the tray is wide enough to hold the roller
Special effects applicators
Bristle stippling brush: A moulded block-handled
brush with short pure bristles. When used to
apply paint over walls or woodwork it will
produce a soft cloudy effect.
Graining tool: A soft rubber moulding with a
graining face and edge combs on a reversible
handle. The grain is drawn slowly down through
the paint while being rocked backwards and
forwards to produce 'knots' in the grain.
Natural sea sponge: When paint is sponged on or
off a surface, natural sea sponges produce a
soft, delicate freckled print. Wet the sponge
first with warm water to make the sponge soft
and pliable.
