9 Best Paint Brushes For Chalk Painting
Forget acrylic paints. Chalk paints are all the buzz right now among DIY painters. They are water-based and low on VOCs, which makes them non-toxic and faster drying than ever.
What has earned chalk paint that much attention, however, is the traditional appeal of the finish. Chalk paint dries matte and yields great results with techniques that show subtle brush strokes, which many find attractive, especially if you are going for a rugged countryside theme.
But to do a commendable job with chalk paint, you’ll need to utilize a special chalk paint brush. That is because chalk paint is on the thicker side of paint consistency and is also sometimes used with wax.
So, what are the best paint brushes for chalk paint? A flexible long-bristled and round paint brush is best for chalk paint. Natural bristles are preferable, but you can go for synthetic options too. Either way, it should be made from high-quality materials and shouldn’t shed onto your project.
First time working with chalk paint? Well, finding a brush should be the least of your worries because we’ll help you choose a suitable one easily with our buying guide. We also recommend the 9 best paint brushes for chalk paint, so keep reading!
Choosing A Brush For Chalk Paint
Paint brushes come in all sorts of materials, styles, and shapes; some designed for a specific purpose and others just regular. You should choose a paint brush specifically made for chalk paint to achieve the desired rough-around-the-edges kind of effect. But what exactly should you be looking for?
1. Type Of Bristles
When categorized by the material of the bristles, there are basically two types of brushes: natural and synthetic bristle paint brushes.
Natural bristle brushes, also known as pure brushes, are made from natural animal hair. Ox, hog, horse, boar, and goat hair are the most common. Consequently, a natural brush is more expensive compared to the artificial haired ones.
They are suitable for uniform paint distribution and make soft brush stroke marks for that old-school, authentic appearance that chalk paint is loved for.
Synthetic brushes are made from cheaper materials like nylon and polyester. They are a pocket-friendly option if you wish to slash your budget.
They are durable and effective at yielding a much smoother paint coat. The finished look is not as authentic looking as that made by natural brushes, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you want a contemporary look.
2. Quality
There are two critical aspects to the quality of a paintbrush – the amount of shedding and spring. A little shedding is common with all brushes, but there’s also the crazy kind of shedding that can ruin your work.
Natural bristles are notorious for shedding badly, especially if the make is of inferior quality. Opt for good-quality brushes with bristles tightly secured into the ferrule with a high-strength bond glue like epoxy.
This is particularly important because chalk paint tends to be thicker than you might be used to. Therefore, if the bristles are loose, you’ll end up with a bunch of hair everywhere.
The spring is also critical as it influences the end results. You do not want the brush too floppy, or you’ll have a difficult time spreading chalk paint evenly.
Again, if you go too stiff, as with some synthetic brushes, you risk getting a scratchy appearance rather than the beautiful barely-there strokes you envisioned. The best brush for chalk paint strikes a balance between soft and stiff.
3. Shape
You can choose any shape of paint brush depending on the type of work you are doing.
Square brushes are great for walls, while small-tipped ones are good for precise control and detailed work. If you want to get into nooks and crannies, a sash brush would be ideal.
Round brushes are, however, the most common shape of brush for chalk paint. They make laying down chalk paint easy, and the form enhances the realistic appearance of traditional paint.
The 9 Best Paint Brushes For Chalk Paint
When it comes to painting brushes, there’s an ocean of products out there that can quickly get confusing. Worry not; we already shortlisted and reviewed the creme de la creme of chalk paint brushes for you. Have a look.
| Rank | Product | Key Features | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Smartvision Co. Chalk And Wax Paint Brush | 2 set, natural bristles, streak-free | View on Amazon |
| 2. | U.S. Art Supply Oval And Round Chalk Brush Set | 2 piece, round and oval, natural bristles | View on Amazon |
| 3. | Tatler & Tatum Chalk And Wax Paint Brush | Natural, smooth application, no shed | — |
| 4. | DIYAartz Chalk And Wax Paint Brush | 3 set, natural, round and flat, low shedding | View on Amazon |
| 5. | bzczh Large 2-in-1 Round Chalk And Wax Brush | Large round, natural, leather hanging loop | View on Amazon |
| 6. | Mr. Pen 2-Inch Round Chalk And Wax Brush | 2 inch round, natural, chalk and wax | View on Amazon |
| 7. | Mister Rui 3-Piece Chalk And Wax Brush Set | 3 set, natural, three head shapes | View on Amazon |
| 8. | Colorantic Professional Chalk And Milk Paint Brushes | Oval, smooth application, milk paint | View on Amazon |
| 9. | Maxman Chalk And Wax Paint Brush Set | 2 set, natural bristles, wooden handles | View on Amazon |
1. Smartvision Co. Chalk And Wax Paint Brush
Our first pick is the Modern Art Supplies 2-pcs brush set. It contains one small round brush and one sizable oval brush of about 2.5 inches in width.
The brushes are made from natural and nylon blend bristles to create a perfect balance for the smoothest strokes. These are firmly fixed in a nickel-plated ferrule with birchwood handles.
The bristles have excellent paint absorbing and release power for maximum coverage quickly. They also don’t shed into your work which is every painter’s dream come true.
The small brush is super versatile. It comes in handy for tight corners, touch-ups, or waxing, while the bigger one is ideal for larger flat surfaces like a chest, cabinets, tables.
We like that the handles are ergonomic and lightweight, which reduces fatigue. The small brush especially has a rounded knob kind of handle which makes it comfortable to control.
The chalk paint brush set is of exquisite quality and delivers fantastic streak-free results. You can wash and reuse it, and it will deliver the same great results.
2. U.S. Art Supply Oval And Round Chalk Brush Set
The runner-up is a two-brush set that covers most of what a furniture project asks for. One head is round, the other is a flatter oval, and both are packed with natural bristles held in a wide metal band.
The round brush is the one you reach for on spindles, carved trim and the corners of a drawer front. The oval lays a broader, softer band across flat panels, and it doubles as your wax brush once the colour has cured. Both handles are bare wood with a hole drilled for hanging. It sits at 4.4 stars across 1,331 reviews.
3. Tatler & Tatum Chalk And Wax Paint Brush
If you’re looking for a small, inexpensive DIY kind of brush for your chalk-painted crafts, you’ll love this brush by Tatler and Tatum.
It is a round, all-natural bristle brush made from white boar hair and a wooden handle. The nickel-plated ferrule holds the tightly packed and glued bristles in place, so users do not experience any loss of bristle strands.
Though its size is on the smaller side for huge jobs, the brush is quite a performer. Whether you want the silky smooth modern look or rough vintage finish, it will give you the results you need.
The rounded style ensures that chalk paint gets into all curves and crevices easily. It is also compatible with a variety of popular chalk paints, including Annie Sloan, Dixie Belle, and Rust-Oleum, to mention a few.
It is a sturdy brush that can stand the test of time for the occasional hobbyist. However, some reviews mention that it has an off-putting odor.
4. DIYAartz Chalk And Wax Paint Brush
Now moving onto more of an investment, meet the DIYArtz 3-piece chalk paint brush sets. It comes with 3 brushes in a variety of sizes and shapes.
These brushes are made from natural boar hair for bristles, while the handles are curved using natural wood.
Each handle is shaped ergonomically to fit into the hands for maximum comfort. Most brushes are round-shaped, but there are flat options too.
The brushes can cary a large paint load and provide full coverage in just one coat. Because the bristle bond is incredibly strong, you can enjoy maximum bristle retention while you paint.
In addition to the superb quality construction and great handles, the versatility in this set is the ace. There’s a brush for everything; broad washes, tight spots, accents, textured and smooth appearances, etc.
It is a terrific choice for serious painters looking to build their chalk paint brush collection in one purchase.
5. bzczh Large 2-in-1 Round Chalk And Wax Brush
If you want one brush that does the whole job, this large round head from bzczh spreads chalk paint and then, washed and dried out, works soft wax into the same surface.
The bristles are natural and long enough to carry a real load of paint, so you are not back at the tin every few strokes. The beech handle has a leather loop knotted through the end, which sounds like a small thing right up to the moment you are holding a wet brush with nowhere to put it. It runs 4.5 stars across roughly 1,460 reviews.
6. Mr. Pen 2-Inch Round Chalk And Wax Brush
Mr. Pen makes the plain, do-everything version of the round brush, and it is a sensible first buy if you are still working out whether chalk painting is your thing.
The head measures two inches across, which is wide enough to cross a drawer front without leaving a seam, and the natural bristles are set into a polished silver ferrule that keeps shedding to a minimum. It arrives in a printed box with the break-in instructions on the lid. 4.5 stars across about 1,480 reviews.
7. Mister Rui 3-Piece Chalk And Wax Brush Set
Seventh place goes to a three-brush set from Mister Rui, and what makes it worth the shelf space is that the three heads are genuinely different rather than three sizes of the same shape.
Each brush has a beechwood handle with a grey cap and a black cord for hanging, and the bristles sit in a brushed metal band. Between the three you can cut in around hardware, cover a mid-sized panel and finish with wax without stopping to wash anything. It rates 4.6 stars across nearly 1,200 reviews.
8. Colorantic Professional Chalk And Milk Paint Brushes
For our die-hard synthetic brush fans who are looking for a brush for chalk painting, Colorantic is the brand you might be after.
The oval-shaped chalk paint brush measures 2 inches by 9 inches long which is an ideal size for a wide range of applications. It is made from synthetic bristles that are silky soft from double boiling.
Its wooden handle also feels nice in the hands, and the ergonomic shape keeps you from straining your wrist and tiring out quickly while using it.
It is an excellent start-to-finish kind of brush as it picks up enormous amounts of paint and lays it out smoothly and quickly. The application is devoid of obvious brush stroke marks (if the visible brushstroke effect is not your preferred technique).
All this goes on without excessive bristle loss, splaying, or breakage. It’s a high-quality synthetic brush that we highly recommend for chalk paint.
9. Maxman Chalk And Wax Paint Brush Set
Last but not least is this pair of maxman chalk paint brushes. They’re nothing like high or midrange brushes, but if you’re looking for something affordable that works great for a one-time project, then these perform beyond expectation.
The size of the duo is just under 2″, and one is rounded while the other is flat. They are made from natural hair with wooden sycamore handles and blue tips for added aesthetic flair.
The paint brushes offer good chalk paint pick-up and coverage. They are solidly built to complete your old dresser, fireplace, or whichever crafts you got them for in one piece. There will be little shedding, if any.
They perform tremendously the first time and, if taken good care of, will serve a second or third time, maybe even longer.
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