Intro
If you’ve painted furniture for any amount of time, you know your brush can make or break your finish.
After trying just about everything—from cheap synthetic sets to traditional brushes—Cling On paint brushes are the ones I keep coming back to.
I actually loved them so much at one point that I became a retailer for a short time. That alone should tell you how strongly I feel about them.
They’re not the cheapest option, but they consistently give the smoothest finish, hold their shape, and make painting faster and easier—especially with water-based paints like milk paint and chalk paint.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.
WHAT MAKES CLING ON BRUSHES DIFFERENT
Cling On brushes are specifically designed for water-based products, which is what most of us are using for furniture painting.
They hold paint really evenly and release it smoothly, which helps minimize brush strokes and gives you a more professional finish without extra effort. **TIP: Pair them with General Finishes Milk Paint for my favorite combination for a super smooth finish**
They also keep their shape over time, which makes a big difference—especially when you’re working on detailed pieces.
WHAT THEY’RE MADE OF
Cling On paint brushes use high-quality synthetic filaments instead of natural bristles.
This is important because:
- they work better with water-based paints
- they don’t swell or warp
- they release paint more evenly
They also feature:
- Beechwood handles
- Stainless steel ferrules
- Epoxy-set bristles (no shedding)
MY GO-TO CLING ON PAINT BRUSHES (WHAT I ACTUALLY USE)
MY FAVORITE CLING ON PAINT BRUSH
F40 FLAT BRUSH
If I had to pick one brush, this would be it.
The F40 flat brush is my go-to for almost everything. It lays paint down smoothly, covers quickly, and gives you a really even finish—especially on larger surfaces like dressers and tabletops.
I reach for this one the most.
BEST ALL AROUND
S50 SHORT-HANDLED ROUND
The S50 short-handled round brush is one of the most versatile brushes in the lineup.
It gives you a lot of control, which makes it great for detailed areas, but it still holds enough paint to move efficiently.
If you’re newer to furniture painting or just want one solid all-around brush, this is a great option.
CLING ON PAINT BRUSH TYPES (FULL BREAKDOWN)
ROUND BRUSHES (R SERIES)
The most versatile brush for furniture painting—great for detail work and overall coverage.
Best for:
- detailed areas
- all-around painting
- spindles + legs
This is one of my most-used brushes. It gives you control but still holds enough paint to move quickly. Available in a variety of sizes from extra small to XL.
This is a must have for your furniture painting toolkit.
This is one of most-used brush. It gives you control but still holds enough paint to move quickly.
Flat Brushes (F Series)
Ideal for large flat surfaces and achieving smooth, even coverage quickly.
Best for:
- cabinets
- tabletops
- dresser tops
Flat brushes are great when you want a Cling On Paint Brush with speed and efficiency on larger surfaces.
They lay paint down very evenly and are especially helpful for topcoats.
Oval Brushes
Best for:
- smooth blending
- a balance between round + flat
Oval Cling On Paint brushes hold a lot of paint but still allow for a smooth, controlled finish.
They’re a favorite for people who want fewer brush strokes.
Angled Brushes
Best for:
- cutting in
- corners
- trim work
Since I originally filmed my video, Cling On has released a new series of angled brushes. These are great for cutting in, edges, and detailed areas where you want more precision.
If you do cabinets or detailed edges, angled brushes make it much easier to stay clean and precise.
Bent Brushes
Best for:
- inside cabinets
- hard-to-reach areas
Not for your everyday project, but you’ll be glad to have it when you’re working on an intricate piece (like a secretary desk) to get into all those challenging spots.
HOW I USE CLING ON PAINT BRUSHES
The biggest mistake I see with Cling On paint brushes is overloading the brush or overworking the paint. These brushes are designed to do the work for you.
My approach:
- use a damp brush
- dip lightly
- apply in smooth, even strokes
- don’t overwork the paint
- let the brush glide, add more water as needed
If you’re fighting the brush, it’s usually too much paint or too many passes.
HOW I CLEAN & CARE FOR CLING ON PAINT BRUSHES
If you take care of these brushes, they’ll last you a long time.
Basic cleaning:
- rinse with warm water to remove most of the paint
- use mild soap if needed
- suspend in water to allow self cleaning bristles to draw out all the paint
- let dry flat or hanging if you won’t be painting for a while
- reshape bristles
MY FAVORITE TIP (THIS IS A GOOD ONE)
If I’m in the middle of a project and don’t want to fully clean my brush, I let the Cling On paint brushes “self clean.” I suspend it in water so the bristles aren’t touching the bottom.
An easy way to do this is to stick the handle through the straw hole of an iced coffee cup and let it hang with water about halfway up the bristles.
This will help your brush stay clean, retain the bristles shape & help your Cling On paint brushes last for years.
Another tip:
Keep the string on round and oval brushes—it helps them maintain their shape over time.
WHY I THINK THEY’RE WORTH IT
They’re not the cheapest brushes—but Cling On paint brushes are one of the few tools that actually improve your results right away.
You’ll get a smoother finish, use less paint, and spend less time fixing brush strokes.
Biggest benefits to Cling On paint brushes:
- smoother finish
- better paint control
- no shedding
- long lifespan
- easier application
VIDEO REVIEW
Here’s a full breakdown of the shapes, sizes and benefits of the Cling On paint brushes. I compare Cling On paint brushes to a regular paintbrush and demonstrate exactly how they are used:
MY RECOMMENDED SETUP
If you’re starting out, this is what I’d recommend for Cling On paint brushes:
- F40 Flat Brush
- S50 Short Handle Round Brush
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re serious about painting furniture—or just want better results with less effort—this is one of those upgrades that actually makes a noticeable difference.
Once you use Cling On paint brushes, it’s hard to go back.
Related Posts:
- Best Paint for Furniture (Detailed Review + What Actually Works)
- How to Paint a Dresser (Step-by-Step Beginner Guide)
- Best Top Coat for Painted Furniture (Matte vs Satin vs Gloss Explained)
Keep Reading: Furniture Painting Guides You’ll Actually Use
If you’re working on a furniture project, these are the exact guides I recommend (this is the system I personally follow 👇)
🎯 Start Here (Core Guides)
🛠 Fix Common Problems
🎨 Choose the Right Products
- Best White Paint for Furniture
- Best Black Paint for Furniture
- Best Primer for Furniture
👉 These will walk you through exactly what to use and how to get a professional finish.
🔥 Want the exact supplies I use?
👉 Check out my Furniture Painting Starter Kit (everything I use in one place)
