The BEST Brushes For Chalk Painting Furniture (Tested And Approved)

Posted in Furniture Makeover


Finding the best paint brushes for chalk painting furniture can be a challenge with so many options out there. Today, I want to share a few of my favorite quality paintbrushes to help you take the guesswork out of choosing.

This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make will be used for more fun projects! To see my full disclaimer, click here!

5 Things I Learned About Paintbrushes Over The Years

It’s no secret that chalk-type paints are my favorite water-based paints for DIY projects. They’re easy to use, dry fast, and are available in almost any color you can dream up. I personally think that latex paint belongs on a wall, not furniture. That goes for oil-based paints as well, but I have used both.

But over the years, I have discovered that not all paintbrushes are equal, and here’s where all my research will pay off BIG time for you. Here’s what I learned.

  1. Using the right paintbrush with the right paint will give your furniture pieces the best results and a smooth surface.
  2. Don’t skimp on your brushes. Invest in good-quality paintbrushes.
  3. DO NOT store your paintbrushes in a plastic bag in the fridge with paint on them. Wash them in warm water with a mild soap, even if you’re going to paint a second coat in a few hours.
  4. Always dry (hang) your brushes with the bristles pointing down. This way, the hub doesn’t rust and get all gunky. With proper care, your brushes should last you many years.
  5. Everyone has their own opinion of the best paintbrushes, including me. I’m simply giving you this information to help you find a good brush that works for you and your painting project needs.

Let’s start off with some of my favorite synthetic brushes. Dixie Belle has some amazing SYNTHETIC BRISTLE BRUSHES in different sizes and shapes. Perfect to use with your favorite CHALK MINERAL PAINT.

CLICK HERE to learn the technique I use to get a smoother finish and eliminate brush strokes on a piece of furniture using water in a spray mist bottle while painting with chalk paint. The results will surprise you!

It's hard to pick just one! Get several synthetic bristle paintbrushes for your next project.

Why I Use Synthetic Brushes The Most With Chalk Paint

In my honest opinion, soft bristles distribute chalk paint the best with fewer brush marks, and the brushes are easier to clean after use.

With that said, there’s no reason you can’t use a natural bristle brush when applying chalk paint; it’s strictly a preference. I know a lot of furniture painters who love their natural brushes. Again, find what works for you.

The MINI ANGLE BRUSH is perfect for furniture painting projects (my favorite) when you need those short-handled paintbrushes to get inside those difficult places. This one right here does the job! And for me, I prefer the short handle, especially when I have a big job. If you have ever held one of these long-handled brushes for an extended time, you know how sore your hand can get. I do know that having a comfortable brush makes painting furniture even more fun. Try a few different ones until you find the one that fits your hand best. Besides, who owns just one brush??? Not me!

The mini angle synthetic bristle paintbrushes are perfect for those hard to reach areas inside of furniture.

Another brush I use a lot is the FS (FLAT SMALL) Paintbrush. This one is a gem! Let’s say I hate painting cubby holes. The long, thin handle with its narrow 1-inch brush makes getting into tiny spaces easier. Such a shame! All that wasted paint on my hand, LOL. Want to see the desk now??? CLICK HERE to see the desk and how it looks today.

The long handle FS (flat small) synthetic bristle paint brush to great for those tiny hard to reach areas. Like these cubby holes in this vintage desk.

Zibra Synthetic Paint Brushes

I was introduced to this high-quality brush a while ago, and all I can say is… WOW! The bristles on these oval brushes are perfect for a smooth paint finish. Zibra Paint brushes come in many shapes and sizes for different jobs. The Trim Brushes are great for cutting in those problematic areas. Check out that cool handle on the PALM PRO BRUSH! That’s a brush that will fit in your hand! I like the ergonomic handle.

Zibra Paintbrushes

I used this ROUND DETAIL ZIBRA BRUSH on my vintage washstand, resulting in a smooth finish. It’s also great for bending paint colors. CLICK HERE to see why this brush was a great choice.

Zibra paintbrush

Natural Bristle Chip Brushes

It’s the best thing since paper towels! This sturdy little flat brush has long been labeled disposable—one-time use. I have a different opinion.

Premium natural bristle chip paint brushes. Perfect for adding texture, waxing in the corners and even blending paint.

Be sure to watch carefully when using them. Natural bristle brushes tend to shed more than synthetic and hold a lot of paint. Maybe that’s why they’re a “cheap brush.” They are not the best brushes, in my opinion, but they are still a great little tool for when I use a CHALK PAINT ADDITIVE to create texture when I create. These paintbrushes are the perfect choice for this finish. Want to see what this dresser looks like now??? CLICK HERE to see the old world finish using this brush.

natural bristle chip paintbrushes

There’s a huge difference between the regular china chip brushes and these PREMIUM CHIP BRUSHES. They’re premium because they are beefier than the ones you get at the local hardware store. They can be used over and over with CHALK MINERAL PAINT. Just give them a good rinse, and you’re ready to go. They’re an excellent choice if you hold furniture painting workshops instead of using the more expensive brushes.

My Top Picks For Wax Brushes

Let’s talk, WAX BRUSHES! I’m pretty picky about the wax brushes I use, and I find that a natural bristle brush is the way to go if you want to wax larger projects. This one is made by US ART SUPPLY BRUSH and is a multi-purpose paintbrush made in the United States. Its broad base and natural bristles make it perfect for large, flat surfaces. It can also be used to apply chalk paint, but I prefer it for the wax applications on my chalk-painted furniture makeovers. I waxed this whole piece with this brush! Want to see how it turned out??? CLICK HERE to see how I added wax over a decor transfer. It turned out amazing.

Multi-use paint/wax brush for furniture makeovers.

The natural bristles on this brush are a bit unusual. Its oval, rounded shape makes it perfect for applying decorative wax to the corners of chalk-painted furniture. It’s just a good wax brush in general and can evenly apply wax to bare wood, too.

CLICK HERE to see how beautiful wax looks when applied over bare wood.

Natural bristle Belle Paint Brush
Paintbrushes for chalk painting furniture

See! I told you I had more than one paintbrush! I use a lot of different brushes when I work, and in my defense, I paint a lot of different projects. *wink 

So, what’s your favorite go-to paintbrush for your painted furniture projects? I’d love to hear what you think about these paintbrushes or share your favorite brushes in the comment section below. I could always use a few more to add to my stash! 🙂

Until the next project, happy painting!  

xo, Do

The BEST Brushes For Chalk Painting Furniture (Tested And Approved)

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2 Comments

  1. Great tips on the brushes especially cleaning and hanging. I need to hang my brushes. Your refreshed website looks amazing, So.

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