Standing at the counter at Regal Paints in Silver Spring yesterday morning waiting for my order to be filled, I heard a do-it-yourself-er asking the manager what brush to buy for his project. This was a hard core DIY’er since it was 6:30 am so I chimed in and started a conversation.
First question, What are you painting? He replies, “I’m painting a nursery and a guest bedroom today.” Ambitious I thought, but at least he was starting early. Second question, have you painted before? His reply: “yes, but I never know what brush to buy. I hate to spend $25.00 just for a brush but I fell like the cheaper ones are not as good.” I would agree. Brush technology has evolved with paint technology. In fact, the good brushes we used to use are horrible for the new paint technology.
I led him over and showed him the only brush he will ever need to buy. The Corona Excalibur 3” angled. Equally excellent for Gen x Acrylics, urethanes and long oils. Interchangeable with a cleaning in the proper solvent. He replied, “ I like to use a smaller brush, why the 3”? I replied, “because it will hold enough paint to cut really straight lines, wont drip, and will be just the right size for painting doors and trim.
I gave him a quick primer on only dipping the brush 1/3 into the paint. Tapping the side of the can once instead of wiping the rim. Using the side of the bristles to cut and not the flat of the bristles. How to clean when finished, and to save the cardboard sleeve to store the brush to protect the bristles and keep them straight.
He then asked about special roller covers for the new paint technologies. That’s when we put together this kit of everything he needed to paint a room with the best tools and outcomes. Wooster Superfab roller covers, 3/8” for wall paint, ½” for ceiling flat. A Wooster 9“ roller handle with bearings to roll more evenly with less pressure. A Wooster Shurfab 2-4’ extension pole with quick connect to save your back and make your rolling more efficient and paint application more even. A one gallon size roller tray to hold ½ gallon of paint and give you lots of room to load the roller and roll off excess paint without refilling the tray every 5 minutes. And lastly, one gallon size disposable tray liners to make keeping your paint clean easier and make final cleanup as easy as disposing the tray liner. Get 10 liners so you can switch out easily if you take a break and for lunch. New paint tends to clump after a hour or so in the tray. Change liners often to keep paint clean. I wonder if he got finished in one day!!?
