

USE MAC BRUSH CLEANER SERIES
Brushes range in cost from about $6.50 to $25, depending on their style and manufacturer.Įach company has their own scale for sizes, usually designated by numerals or a series of zeroes. Over the years, brushes have evolved to better suit pinstripers’ needs, with short and long handles, large and small bellies (the middle section where the paint is carried), and different kinds of hair – squirrel hair being the most commonly used. The sword brush originated on the early assembly lines, used mainly for automotive paint touch-ups. Although daggers are useful for small, curved work, versatile swords remain the brush of choice for most stripers. A dagger comes to a point and is double-edged, explains Rick Glawson, owner of Wilmington, Calif.-based Fine Gold Sign Co. ” The sword’s longest hair is on the top and then it slowly tapers back to a short length on the underside. Often referred to synonymously, each brush is distinctly different. There are two main tools to choose from when it comes to pinstriping – swords or daggers. This gives it a resistance to fraying and it spreads paint smoothly and evenly. Hog bristle is different than any other natural fiber, since it forms a V-shaped split or “flag” at the tip, and has a natural curve. It comes from hogs in different parts of the world, but the very best comes from China. It comes to a very fine point, and with proper care, will last many years. it is the best hair for watercolor and oil brushes because of its strength, spring and snap. Some lettering and watercolor brushes are made with sabeline and mixed with sable, to lower the cost of the brush. This is normally light color ox hair that is dyed to look like red sable. Quite often, red sable is blended with ox hair to make a more economical brush, but unfortunately, the fine point is sacrificed. The good quality red sable can be used as a less expensive alternative to kolinsky.

It is used to make a lot of different brushes, and there is a big variance in quality when one speaks of “red sable”. It does not come from the “sable” animal. This hair comes from any member of the weasel family that has red hair. The blending makes a brush more resilient and have more body. However, it lacks a fine tip, so it is usually mixed with other natural hairs. It is also very strong, resilient and has good snap. The best ox hair comes from the ears of cattle or oxen. It is often blended with other hairs for less expensive watercolor and touch-up brushes. The very finest pony hair comes from the belly of the animal. It comes from an animal that is at least two years old. Camel hair could be squirrel, ox, pony, goat, or a blend. Camel hair brushes received their name from “Mr. It is more durable, has more snap and makes a great quill or lettering brush. Grey squirrel is the hardest to find and the most expensive. They point as well as kolinsky, but have very little snap, since the hair is not very resilient. Both blue and kazan are very soft and fine.

It is generally found in the shorter lengths and used for stripers, quills, and outliners. Brown, or kazan, is no longer as plentiful as it was several years ago. It is generally used for striping brushes and lettering brushes.

Blue squirrel is the most readily available and comes in long lengths, as well as short lengths.
