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I have complied a list of products that I recommend to all of my customers, from novice painters to professionals. I have used each and every product listed below and each of these products make painting much more manageable!
For the past 6 years I’ve worked in the paint department at 2 different hardware stores and I’ve been the paint department manager for the past 3 years. As the paint department manager, it is my job to recommend products to customers and I do not take the job lightly. I am constantly researching and testing products on my own, because I want to recommend only the best products to my customers. In order to be able to recommend the best products, I have to know everything about them… The good and the bad. What makes them work, why is one brand is better than another, etc.
Frogtape is the best painters tape on the market. It not only peels up easily, but it leaves a clean line. All Frogtape has PaintBlock technology. What exactly does that mean? PaintBlock is a super-absorbent polymer which reacts with latex paint and instantly gels to form a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed. Check out the short video below to see the PaintBlock technology in action!
Frogtape comes in two different options: Multi-Surface and Delicate Surface. Use the delicate surface tape on freshly painted surfaces, faux finishes and wallpaper. Use the multi-surface tape for any other surface.
The Roller Cover and The Paint Brush Cover by Likwid Concepts was featured on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’. These covers are extremely handy to have when you’re in the process of painting. It’s essentially Tupperware for paint brushes. I don’t mind painting, but I absolutely dislike the cleanup that is associated with it. This product saves time and money by not wasting paint remaining in your brush by having to rinse it out every time you come to a stopping point.
Let me tell you, I’ll never paint without one of these lids again. To me, one of the most annoying things about painting is the cleanup. Without using a pour spout, paint winds up all over the side of the can and it can turn into a big mess rather quickly. The reason this product is so great is not only because of the pour spout, but also because it makes storing any remaining paint quick and easy! You’ll never have to find a paint can opener or mallet to hammer the lid back on because the pour spot collapses for easy storing.
These HANDy Cups really handy! Ha! These products are designed to be comfortably held in one hand, so you don’t have to try holding onto a quart, if you have small hands like me, or hold the handle on a gallon which gets heavier and heavier the longer you hold it. In addition, the HANDy Paint Cup has a magnet attached to the inside of the cup to rest your brush.
These small golden pyramids are one of the best paint products on the market! I’m a very impatient person and if there’s a tool or product that will make my project go faster, I’m all about it! These pyramids make it possible to paint one side of your project and flipped over to paint the other side without having to wait for it to dry. These pyramids also work wonders to lift your project off the ground, so the excess paint doesn’t stick to a surface you don’t want it to stick to.
This easy clean paint tray is amazing! Just let the paint dry and peel it away. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Working as a Paint Department Manager, I felt it was important for me to be knowledgeable in regards to the paint brushes we carry and why one brand may be better than another.
If you’ve ever stood in front of the paint brush section trying to figure out which brush you need, it can be overwhelming. If you were a customer standing in my paint brush aisle, you would see two, 4 foot sections of name brand paint brushes. One section is Purdy and the other section is Wooster. Both companies manufacture high quality brushes, but there are differences between them. Lets start with Purdy…
One thing that’s very unique about Purdy Paint Brushes is that they’re all made by hand. In fact, each brush has a sticker with the name of the person that made it, which is something that no other company does. In addition, Purdy is a brand that both professionals and do-it-yourselfer’s like to use. Nonetheless, lets get into detail about their series of brushes.
Purdy’s XL Series is designed to be used with all types of paint and stain, and for interior/exterior purposes. The bristles are made of Nylon/Polyester and the firmness is Medium/Stiff.
The Clearcut Series is designed to be used with latex and oil based paints, and for both interior and exterior purposes. It is a fantastic brush to use when ‘cutting in’. The bristles are made of Tynex Nylon and Orel Polyester and the firmness is Stiff.
The Pro-Extra Series is designed to be used with latex and oil based paints and is recommended for both interior and exterior purposes. This brush holds more paint than any other brush making it the ideal brush for abrasive surfaces and heavier bodied paints. The bristles are made of Tynex, Chinex and Orel filaments and the firmness is Stiff.
The Nylox Series is designed to be used with latex based paints and interior use only. The bristles are made of 100% Dyed Nylon and the firmness is Soft.
The White Bristle series is designed to be used with oil based paints, stains and clear coats such as shellac, varnish, lacquer and polyurethane. It is recommended for both interior and exterior applications. The Bristles are made of 100% natural white bristle and the firmness is Soft.
The Black Bristle series is designed to be used with oil based paints and stains and is recommended for both interior and exterior purposes. The bristles are made of 100% natural black bristle and the firmness is Medium Stiff.
The Syntox series is designed to be used with all stains and clear coats that are either water based or oil based. It is recommended for interior purposes only. The bristles are made of Nylon/Chinex and the firmness is Extra Soft.
The Ox Hair Series is designed to be used with oil based paints, stains and clear coats. It is recommended for interior purposes only. The bristles are made of White Bristle Ox Hair and the firmness is Extra Soft.
The Chinex Series is designed for heavy bodied and low VOC paints. It is recommended for both latex and oil based paints as well as interior and exterior use. The bristles are made of “solid, round, and tapered (SRT) Chinex filaments that are stronger than hog bristle” and the firmness is Extra Stiff.
Here’s a great chart that came directly from the Purdy website. This can be used a quick and handy reference guide.
Now that you’ve had a chance to learn about Purdy brushes, let’s move on to Wooster…
The Alpha Series is designed to hold more paint at the end of the brush. It evenly releases paint to the surface, creating less effort for the user. This brush is great to use for ‘cutting in’ and the brush is for use with both latex and oil based paints and it has a firm bristles.
The Chinex FTP series is designed for cleanability and durability. The bristles are stiff with a fuller and softer tip for cleaner edges and increased paint release. This brush is very durable and is made for use with both latex and oil based paints.
The Ultra/Pro series consists of 3 different types of firmness and each one has a different use.
The Silver Tip series is made with a soft blend of white and silver polyester that nearly eliminates brushmarks entirely. The bristles are thin, flexible and provide exceptional leveling and smoothing.
The White China Bristle Series is designed for use with all oil-based paints, stains, polyurethanes, enamels and varnishes.
Hi, my name is Alyssa and I’ve decided to create this blog as a way to share my passion for crafting, antiquing, painting, staining and all other types of coatings! I’ve worked in a hardware store for the past 6 years and I’ve been the Paint Department Manager for the last 3 years now and I’ve learned a lot. I enjoy sharing the information I’ve learned with anyone that’s willing to listen!
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