Match the brush bristle type.

  ** Bristles may be natural or synthetic. If the filaments are synthetic, they may be made of polyester, nylon, or a blend of nylon and polyester. Filaments can be hollow or solid and can be tapered or untapered. Brushes with tapered filaments give a smoother finish.

  ** Synthetic filaments last longer than natural bristles. Natural bristles are preferred for oil-based paints and varnishes, while synthetic brushes are better for water-based paints as the bristles do not expand when wet.

  ** A decorator judges the quality of a brush based on several factors: filament retention, paint pickup, the steadiness of paint release, brush marks, drag, and precision painting. A chiseled brush permits the painter to cut into tighter corners and paint more precisely.

  ** Brush handles may be made of wood or plastic while ferrules are metal (usually nickel-plated steel)

## Paint brushes are available with either synthetic bristles or natural bristles made from animal hair. If you are using paint or varnish that can be cleaned up with water, then choose a brush with synthetic bristles. If you're applying oil-based varnish or paint, a natural bristle (Black China or White China) brush may be a better choice. 

You can use synthetic bristle brushes for oil-based paint, but in most cases, natural bristles will provide a smoother finish. Avoid using a natural bristle brush to apply water-based finished, though. The bristles will soak up moisture and become too soft.

Synthetic brushes are available with nylon, nylon/polyester blends, or Chinese bristles. We recommend choosing either a nylon/polyester blend or if you're willing to pony up a little more cash, a natural bristle brush.

A nylon/polyester blend provides a good compromise between softness, for a smooth finish, and stiffness, for better control. Natural bristle brushes are designed for optimal performance and easy cleanup. Here's one example of a top-quality natural bristle brush 

If you're buying a natural-bristle brush, you'll also have a choice of bristles types. We won't get into the different natural bristles available. But in general, spending more will provide you with a better quality brush.