good brush make & type for enamel paint

[MoreWellie]

been using cottam brushes mostly prestige and or premier but still getting bristle loss

worse is when 5mm bits break off the bristles as I often don't notice them till the next coat

today was a new cottam prestige brush, probably two bristles and 20 or more of the 5mm bits in 1.5 hours of painting

any recommendations for something better

 

[brightspark]

purdy or Hamilton

 

[pedrobedro]

Harris do a set of no loss brushes that get good reviews.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Try looking in old Iron Monger shops, you can sometimes find old brushes that were made BC, ( before China ).

 

[brightspark]

Try looking in old Iron Monger shops, you can sometimes find old brushes that were made BC, ( before China ).

bc before Christ

 

[Arc Tourist]

bc before Christ

I think in the context of tools most anything before far east imports is well worth searching out.
I've found you can still get lucky in Iron Monger shops looking for new old stock. Unfortunately, these shops are dying out and won't be around much longer.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Painters used to use new brushes for undercoat etc for quite while until they were well run in, then use for best,

 

[duncans]

when I was young I had a thing about buying stuff made in England like metal toys if it said made in china I would not like it on it as I no it was good quality product now it all made in china

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Purdy. Thought they seem to be selling cheaper options now and haven't tested

 

[roofman]

Purdy. Thought they seem to be selling cheaper options now and haven't tested

To be honest a Harris brush seems less quality than it used to be...head pressed on to the handle, they used to be pinned on

 

[Will!]

To be honest a Harris brush seems less quality than it used to be...head pressed on to the handle, they used to be pinned on

I've found this over the years, they're not quite as nice as I remember them.

 

[grim_d]

I really rate Purdy brushes but I was most disgruntled to lose 4 bristles whilst cutting in the other day, I hope it's because it was new.

 

[Turbo]

I really rate Purdy brushes but I was most disgruntled to lose 4 bristles whilst cutting in the other day, I hope it's because it was new.

Did you buy them online?

There are fake Purdys out there online, I got caught out with a set once. I didn't notice until I left a brush soaking in water for a couple of days, when I went back the 'stainless' ferrule was rusty. I then took a good look at the rest of the set, comparing them to shop bought brushes. Only then could I see the difference in quality & finish of the fake ones.

Now I only ever buy brushes from a proper decorating shop, better chance of them being genuine.

 

[MoreWellie]

Harris do a set of no loss brushes

if you mean the 10 brush set in moulded plastic then I have bought multiples of these (online to be fair) with much the same issues

 

[MoreWellie]

find old brushes

I would but I have developed bad habits

When painting regularly I don't clean them just wrap in clingfilm and use until they start getting stiff and they then get thrown away which means I need an ongoing supply

I understand this may lead to the problems I am experiencing but only posted this in relation to several new brushes I have used over the last couple of weeks

 

[MoreWellie]

Enamel paint is really punishing to brushes

I will order some Hamilton Perfection pure bristle brushes to try

The wooster tips I have seen enough poor reviews not to try them

 

[grim_d]

Did you buy them online?

There are fake Purdys out there online, I got caught out with a set once. I didn't notice until I left a brush soaking in water for a couple of days, when I went back the 'stainless' ferrule was rusty. I then took a good look at the rest of the set, comparing them to shop bought brushes. Only then could I see the difference in quality & finish of the fake ones.

Now I only ever buy brushes from a proper decorating shop, better chance of them being genuine.

Yes but from a legit distributor....I hope.

 

[Turbo]

If you want a decent 'throwaway' brush can I suggest the Harris Platinum 5 Brush pack, I get them from either poundstretcher or B&M for around £5 each or £1 per brush!

https://www.therange.co.uk/decorati...s-and-pads/harris-platinum-brush-pack/#111218

I bought them as a disposable brush but I find them quite good so I wash & reuse them! Sometimes you'll get one or 2 duff ones that lose their bristles but most of them can be left soaking in celly thinners with no bristle loss afterwards!