felixw68•1mo agoMost Upvoted

I used to paint trim with a cheap brush until a painter friend set me straight

Last month I was painting some baseboards in my living room and my buddy John came over. He saw the brush I was using, some $3 hardware store brand, and just laughed. He said 'you're fighting the brush instead of letting it work for you' and handed me his Purdy brush. Next day I went out and bought one for $15 and the difference was night and day. The paint went on smoother, no stray bristles stuck to the wood, and I finished the whole room in half the time. Anyone else hold onto cheap tools way longer than they should?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicea261mo ago

The Purdy brushes are nice but honestly a middle ground option like a Wooster from the hardware store works just as well for half the price if you take care of it properly. Good tools matter more than expensive ones though, that part is absolutely true.

patb861mo ago

23 years painting houses taught me that lesson hard. @alicea26 you nailed it with the Wooster suggestion, I grabbed a 3 inch Wooster Pro from Home Depot last spring for like $8 and it honestly outlasted my last two Purdys that cost triple that. The real trick is just washing them with warm water and some dish soap right after you're done, not letting them sit overnight. I treat my cheap brushes better than I treat my expensive ones now and they cut better lines. Good habits beat good prices every time, that's the real secret.