Are you looking for the perfect paintbrush to use for oil-based paint?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:
- What the different types of paint brushes are
- What to look for in high-quality brushes
- Supplies you'll need for your particular paint job
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use these paintbrushes!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | Wooster Z1120-3 Paintbrush, 3 inch
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | Wooster Brush Shortcut White Bristle Angle Sash Brush
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best High End
| Best High End | Purdy Ox-Hair Ox-O-Thin Flat Trim Paint Brush
|
| View on Amazon |
|
| Wooster Paint Brush 2-Softip 2-inch
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| Purdy XL Brush 3-Pack
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 1, 2023
Our top choice has to be this epic Wooster 3-inch paintbrush.
This brush is a fantastic all-around option for a variety of DIY paint jobs, particularly when working with oil paint.
It's made from White China Bristles with a super-strong ferrule (the metal part that holds the bristles in place) which makes it a great choice when working with more viscous oil-based solvents.
Top 5 Best Paintbrushes For Oil Paints
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 paint brushes for oil-based paint! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types of Paint Brushes To Choose From?
Ultimately there are only two types of paintbrushes to choose from, natural bristle brushes and synthetic brushes.
Whether you're a DIY fan or a professional painter, it's good to know the difference between the two and when you should reach for one vs. the other.
What Are Natural Hair Paint Brushes?
Natural hair brushes are made from natural animal hairs and often those hairs come from hog bristles or ox hairs.
For a long time these were the only types of brushes available, but thanks to technology they're no longer the only quality brushes available.
And now they serve a much more specific purpose.
What Are Natural Hair Paint Brushes Best At?
Natural hair brushes are best at furniture and flat surface painting. That's because their bristles tend to swell when exposed to paints and solvents which makes them less precise and can make those fine details much harder to achieve.
They might leave behind more brush marks because of this.
However, when used for oil painting this is not as big of an issue because it takes much longer for oils to penetrate the fibers of the brush compared to water molecules in water-based paints.
Which is why we'll be recommending a lot of natural bristle brushes on this list because they make it much easier to work with oil-based paints.
What Are Synthetic Bristle Brushes?
Synthetic bristle brushes are paintbrushes that have bristles that are made from materials other than hog bristle or animal hair.
Often they're made from nylon bristles or polyester bristles or a nylon/polyester blend, which creates a smooth finish on whatever surface you're working with.
However, a polyester brush or a nylon brush is probably not going to yield the best results when working with oil paint.
What Are The Different Styles Of Brushes?
There are several different styles of brushes (and obviously brush sizes) you can choose from when working with oil-based paint types as well.
For example, there are angle sash brushes that offer more precision and control for detail work.
Then there are flat brushes which are great for creating crisp lines and laying down long, bold strokes.
Ultimately, the type of brush that you choose should come down to the types of painting you'll be doing the most.
Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Brushes Out There?
What Should You Look For In A High-Quality Brush?
So now you might be wondering:
What - specifically - should you be looking for in a high-quality paintbrush for oil-based paint?
Well, before you decide on a brush, ask yourself these questions:
- What does the surface I'm painting call for? (Are there corners to cut in, what types of brush strokes do you need to create, etc.)
- What type of paint or solvent am I using? (Polyurethane, other oil-based solvents)
When you answer these 2 questions, it's going to make it much easier to find the best brush for your paint job.
For instance, if you need to cover some stains and kill some mold, you'll want to choose something like #5 on this list to kill off that growth and block out the stains so they don't show up on your topcoat.
However, if you're working with some fresh drywall, you can probably save your cash and go with #1 or #2 on this list and still get an amazing paint job out of it.
Read More >> How Do You Get Polyurethane (Or Oil-Based Solvents) Off A Paint Brush?
Supplies You'll Need For Painting With Oil-Based Paint
Before you get started painting with oil-based paints, there are a few things you should gather and have on hand.
And one thing to note here is that handling and disposing of any oil-based substance is a bit more complicated than working with latex paints.
You need to make sure you look into local paint disposal centers and don't wash any of it down the drain as it can corrode pipes and enter the water system.
This is why paint thinner is on the list below because that's the only way to clean off your brushes when you're done without allowing the caustic substances to enter the water system.
- Drop cloths - these are absolutely essential to avoid paint splatter
- Paint thinner - this will help you clean brushes and dispose of paint
- Paint tray - this will come in handy no matter what you're painting
- Painter's tape - always make sure to use tape to make it easier to cut in without making messes
- A respirator - avoid inhaling any of the fumes from oil-based paints as these can be harmful to your health
Now that you've got a good idea of what you'll need to get started, let's talk about the best paint primer for walls!
Read More >> What Are The Best Respirators For Painting?
Our Reviews Of The Top Paint Brushes For Oil-Based Paints
Pick #1: Wooster Z1120-3 Paintbrush, 3 inch
Not only that, but it comes in at a great price for a high-quality brush, even for the larger versions of the brush it's somewhere between $10 and $15.
Pros
Cons
If you're looking for an inexpensive brush to use for all sorts of detailed painting work, this is a fantastic choice!
Pros
Cons
Our best high-end choice is this amazing Ox-Hair brush by Purdy that comes in a flat trim brush and an angular trim style.
This makes it incredibly versatile while working with oil-based paints and stains.
The bristles are incredibly (almost impossibly) soft and it also comes in multiple sizes ranging from 1.5 inches to 3 inches.
If you're looking to spend a bit more on a super high-quality brush, this is the one for you!
Pros
Cons
Pick #4: Wooster Paint Brush 2-Softip 2-inch
Our next option is this amazing and inexpensive Softip brush by Wooster.
While this isn't a natural bristle brush, it's a nylon/polyester blend and it's still capable of working with oil-based paints and stains.
If you're looking to save some money while still getting a versatile brush this is a great choice.
Pros
Cons
Pick #5: Purdy XL Brush 3-Pack
Our final choice is this amazing Purdy 3-pack that is an amazing option if you're looking for a more versatile set of brushes to keep in your toolkit.
While again, these aren't natural bristle brushes, these nylon/polyester blends are still capable of handling oil-based paints and they can also lay down latex paints too.
So, if you're looking for more bang for your buck, this is a fantastic choice!
Pros
Cons
Our Top Choice: Wooster Z1120-3 Paintbrush, 3 inch
It'll help you work around fine details but it will also work for larger surfaces.
Overall, this is a fantastic option for DIY fans.
Plus, it's an excellent value for the money. Find the lowest price on Amazon right now!
Final Thoughts On Choosing A Good Paint Brush For Oil-Based Paint
Depending on the paint jobs you have coming up and what you're planning to paint with this brush, pretty much any brush on this list will help you get the job done.
Ultimately it comes down to your comfort level when working with oil-based paints and your familiarity when working with paintbrushes.
As long as you choose the right brush for the particular job and you follow proper technique, you should be able to create some beautiful results.
As always, happy painting!
