advice for good quality paint brushes

[knockavacca]

i am fed up of using paint brush sets of various prices,(not always the realy cheep ones),and i looking for suggestion for some good ones,from some research ive found that "hamilton" seems to be a name that comes up often,but then i read about syntehic,and bristol etc.
i will be using them for general purpose ,emulsion,undercoat, and gloss,possable, 1,2,and 3 inch,also, a good supplier would be helpful,
many thanks for your suggestions . cheers.

[HowardKennitby]

If you are prepared to look after them Harris brushes are usually good quality.

[derekpara]

Hamilton brushes are of the highest quality, and in my experience as former demonstrator of painting techniques, the best money can buy. If you take good care of them by washing them out completely and correctly they will last for years.

I have a 4" Hamilton Perfection which I have used for home decorating for the last thirty years. Smaller perfections ie 1" (25mm) can be used until the bristles wear down to less than an inch in length. They then become ideal for cutting into fine edges light window frames etc.

Cheap brushes may be ok for rough work such as painting sheds or fences but they constantly shed bristles which have to be removed as you go along if you use them for doors etc.

Remember to always wash new brushes in warm water before you begin using them and to 'flirt' the dry bristles every time before use so as to discard any loose bristles.

Good luck.

D

[jomifl]

Agree with derekpara, good advice.

[theshedman]

Yes I have also been using Hamilton Perfection brushes for many years. They last for a long time and they don't lose bristles like the cheap ones. Hamilton also do an even better range of brushes which are similar to Purdy ones known as the Rolls Royce of paint brushes but they are a lot more expensive. You can get Hamilton ones at B&Q these days or most builders merchants and local paints stores can get them for you.

[knockavacca]

thanks to all for your answers ,much appreciated

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Hamilton perfection and Purdy

[heathfield]

A cheaper alternative might suit you. I used to dislike synthetic bristle brushes since they seemed to drag the paint across surfaces, rather than coating them. But some time back I tried Harris 'No Loss' brushes. They seem to have produced a synthetic bristle brush with much finer tips to each bristle, allowing the brush to work much better. And there's no bristle loss. It wouldn't cost much to give them a try.

[Old_Geezer]

I believe I've come to the conclusion that 'cheap and throw away after' might be the better way to go. I can never seem to be able to remove all the paint at the end of the job, so I end up leaving the brush in soak, in some spirit or other, only to find it dried up and no cleaner a few months later. Too cheap and I grant you, you'll be picking hairs out of your handiwork all the time, but fairly cheap and 'blow the cleaning' might prove a good compromise.

[vulcan]

I do a lot of oil painting and as some of the brushes cost up to twenty pound each I make certain they're cleaned properly.I've also found this method is fine for DIY brushes as well. First remove as much paint as possible by wiping on newspapers, secondly put the brushes into thinners and rinse thoroughly. finally and this is the important bit, put a drop of washing up liquid into one hand and press the brush into it, making certain the closed end of the bristles is coated in the liquid. Do this to each brush and then rinse under a tap, warm water first and then cold.leave to dry in an airing cupboard and they will be like new. I'm still using brushes that are 16 years old.