There are a lot of different paint brushes on the market, and it can be hard to determine which are the best paint brushes for trim and baseboards for your next painting project.
There are paint brushes with different brush material such as synthetic bristles and paint brushes that uses animal hair, also known as natural bristle brush.
You also have different sizes in length and width and even with bent handles and angled brushes.
Read on to find out what paint brushes even professional painters use when painting interior trim and which one you need for your next paint project.
What is the best paint brush to paint trim with?
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to painting trim. First, you’ll want to choose a brush that has a size that’s appropriate for the area you’re working on.
For example, if you’re painting baseboard, then don’t use a brush size that is wider than the baseboard. It’s unpractical and will just make it harder for you to paint it and get a nice finish, and chances are that you will get paint on the wall.
Second, synthetic bristles are typically the best type of bristles to use for trim, as they provide better coverage and a smoother finish and they can be used with both water and oil-based paints.
Natural bristles can also be used, but they tend to leave behind brush marks. This type of bristles is best used for oil-based paints.
Finally, the length of the bristles shouldn’t be too long or too short. If it’s too long it will be harder to control and it can be hard to apply the paint. If it’s too short it won’t hold much paint and it tends to leave brush marks.
So, what is the best paintbrush to use for trim? A 2-inch synthetic bristle brush is the best option in my experience. It’s the right size for most trim projects, and the synthetic bristles will provide a smooth finish.
Top 3 best paint brushes for trim and baseboards
1. Embo Bent Microfilament Paint Brush
This Swedish high-quality paint brush is excellent for painting trim. It holds a lot of paint and gives a very smooth and professional finish. I use it myself all the time and can highly recommend it.
The brush is made of a synthetic fiber called Microfilament, which is a very strong yet soft material. The brush is also easy to clean and it doesn’t shed. It’s one of the best type of paint brushes I’ve ever used, hands down.
The bent handle helps to see when cutting in and is ideal for getting into hard-to-reach places such as around pipes and behind radiators as well.
It’s good for both oil and water-based paints and finishes, providing good load and spread capabilities while nearly eliminating the appearance of brush marks.
2. Purdy Clearcut Elite
This paint brush has an angled brush made of nylon/polyester and is excellent for trim and has a very good cut in ability.
It has great paint holding capacity and it provides an excellent finish. The angled brush head is ideal for reaching tight spaces, making it perfect for baseboards, window frames, and door frames.
The Purdy Clearcut Elite is one of the best synthetic bristle brushes on the market and can be used with both oil and water-based paints.
What people say about the Purdy Clearcut Elite
“Simply the best!”
“I think it is a good brush. Clearly better constructed than the cheap ones. Holds a line. Good bristles. No complaints!”
3. Wooster Silver Tip
If you don’t like the angle on the Purdy Clearcut Elite, then you can go for this Wooster Silver Tip brush instead. It’s also synthetic and provides a good load and spread while eliminating brush marks.
It’s one of the most popular brushes among professional painters and it’s very easy to see why. Like the Purdy Clearcut Elite, it’s also good for oil and water-based paints.
What people say about the Wooster Silver Tip paint brush
“I didn’t know how amazing a good quality brush could be, now I know. Truly gorgeous”
“no loose bristles, unfinished wooden handle. Pretty decent high end polyester brush It’s a bit annoying to see that some hardware stores only carry chisel end brushes. Very nice to see a good flat end brush.”
My personal preference
I personally use bent paint brushes that have synthetic bristles about 2 inches wide when painting trim, baseboards, windows etcetera and these are the best paint brushes for trim in my experience.
The bent handle makes it easier to see when cutting in, but this is a personal preference and not a must.
I even paint walls and ceilings with a 2 or 4-inch wide paint brush with a bent handle.
How do I avoid trim brush marks when painting?
To avoid brush marks when painting trim you should use a high-quality paint brush with synthetic brush which provides a smooth finish.
The technique you use when painting is also important. Use even and long strokes and don’t apply too much pressure on the brush.
I personally apply the paint a couple of feet and then go back to where I started and brush over the area again with light and long strokes.
This will help to distribute the paint evenly and avoid any brush marks.
If you do get brush marks, don’t worry, you can always sand them down after the paint has dried and apply another coat.
Should I use a roller or paint brush to paint trim?
When painting large surfaces you can use a roller to apply the paint and then smooth it out with a paint brush. This will give you an even coverage and a smooth finish.
Water-based paint tends to dry fast.
Use a 4-inch roller with a short nap to apply the paint to the trim and then go over it with a 2-inch paint brush to even it out.
You could also use a foam roller, then you don’t need to smoothen it out with the paint brush.
Although I personally dont use foam rollers since it applies the paint very thinly and so it dries fast, and it tends to also leave bubbles that can be hard to get rid of when rolling. Instead use a roller with a 1/4 inch nap, it’s easier to control compared to foam and gives a nice finish as well.
I would recommend using a roller when painting doors and large baseboards. For smaller pieces of trim, a paintbrush will do just fine.
Can you paint trim with a foam brush?
Foam brushes can be used for both oil and water-based paints, but they are not as durable as bristle brushes so they usually need to be replaced after they have been used.
They aren’t as easy to handle compared to a paint brush with bristles and can be hard to use in corners and such.
But they are also quite cheap, so foam brushes might be a good option if you’re on a budget.
Final Thoughts on Best Paint Brushes for Trim
So, there you have it. These are the three best paint brushes for trim that I would recommend. All of them will give you a smooth finish with minimal brush marks.
The Embo with a bent handle is my personal favorite, but the other two are also great paint brushes.
Remember to use even and long strokes when painting and don’t apply too much pressure on the paint brush.