Thin Paintbrushes for Walls: 6 Best + Tips to Avoid Streaks

Last updated: December 9, 2020


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Painting your walls actually requires more steps than you might have initially thought. With those steps comes a need for different tools to get the best results. For edges, cutting-in, and touch-ups, a good option is to use a thin brush.

When selecting this type of brush, it’s important to know about your options, what to look for, and how to get the best use out of them. This article will help you learn about thin paintbrushes for walls by exploring the following:

Before we dive into working with a thin brush on your walls, let’s discuss the best brushes available for purchase. If you’re also going to be working with trim, check out our guide for the best paintbrushes for trim and baseboards.

6 best thin paintbrushes for walls

If you’re new to shopping for brushes, it can be hard to know what’s available and what’s best for your project. To get you started, here are our recommendations for a thin paintbrush for walls.

1. Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush

Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 1

Size: 1-inch

Material: Nylon-Polyester

Best Feature: Smooth finish

The Wooster Softip Angle Brush is a great thin brush for painting walls. The subtle angle of the bristles is perfect for cutting-in the edges and corners. The bristles also have the perfect level of softness that will leave your walls looking flawless.

2. Bates Paintbrush Set

Bates Paintbrush Set

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 4

Size: 1.5-inch to 3-inch

Material: Synthetic filaments

Best Feature: Variety

The Bates Paintbrush Set is a great option for those working on their walls. This set includes multiple thin brushes that can assist with cutting-in and touch-ups. These brushes are also designed to be comfortable to hold and easy to use.

3. Wooster Silver Tip Thin Angle Sash Paintbrush

Wooster Silver Tip Thin Angle Sash Paintbrush

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 1

Size: 1.5-inch

Material: CT Polyester

Best Feature: Quality

The Wooster Silver Tip Thin Angle Sash Paintbrush is perfect for painting or touching-up walls. The bristles are designed to leave your walls with no brush marks. The brush itself is also carefully designed to be very durable.

4. Presa Premium Bristle Paintbrush Set

Presa Premium Bristle Paintbrush Set

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 5

Size: 1-inch to 3-inch

Material: SRT filaments

Best Feature: Variety

The Presa Premium Bristle set is another great choice if you're looking for a variety of brushes to help you paint your wall. There's various sizes of thin brushes to help you cut-in and touch-up your wall, including an angled brush. The handles are also easy to hold and control.

5. Wooster Gold Edge Wall Brush

Wooster Gold Edge Wall Brush

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 3

Size: 1-inch to 2-inch

Material: CT Polyester

Best Feature: Controllability

This 3 pack of Wooster Gold Edge brushes will help you achieve beautiful results for your walls. The bristles are made of gold CT polyester filaments, which are specifically designed to allow for a smooth finish and maintain control while painting. These brushes also work with all paint types.

6. Precision Defined Professional Paintbrush Set

Precision Defined Professional Paintbrush Set

Image Credit: Amazon.ca

Quantity: 6

Size: 1.5-inch to 3-inch

Material: SRT PET

Best Feature: Quality

The Precision Defined Professional Paintbrush Set includes even more brushes that are perfect for helping you paint your wall. This set comes with various sizes of thin brush, so you can work with what feels best. The brushes are also a high-quality make, allowing for great pickup and release of your paint.

What’s the best type of thin brush for walls?

When you’re shopping for a thin brush for walls, there are two things you should keep in mind: size and type. For the size of the brush, you’ll want to stick with a brush between 1-inch and 2.5-inch so that you can maintain control and caution while working. As for the type, look for one’s with thin angle sash bristles. This style helps to create a thin, straight line while painting.

Best way to paint walls using a thin brush without streaks

If you’re DIY painting for the first time, you might be feeling anxious about doing a good job. To help ensure you do your best, these are our tips for using a thin brush and avoiding streaks.

  • Clean your walls - Before beginning, make sure to clean the surface with a damp cloth. This will remove any dust and debris that could show up in your paint.
  • Use painter’s tape - If you’re working near surfaces where you don’t want paint to end up, place some painter’s tape there. This will allow you to better focus on your painting.
  • Minimize the amount of paint used - When loading your brush with paint, only dip your brush’s bristles ⅓ of the way into the paint. This will give you enough to work with and avoid leaving blotches behind.
  • Hold your brush properly - Make sure to hold your brush on an angle, not straight up and down. This will help you maintain control and comfort while you’re painting.

Now that you know everything about thin paintbrushes for walls, it’s time to start thinking about investing in your project. If you’re thinking you’d like to go the professional route instead, the City Painters is here to help you. Contact us here or give us a call to get a quote for your project.