Which brush type is traditionally associated with high paint retention?

• A. China Bristle Brush
• B. Foam Brush
• C. Sable Brush
• D. Nylon Brush

Answer: (A)

High paint retention comes from natural hog bristle brushes, traditionally known as China bristle. Their dense, stiff bristles are porous and trap a larger amount of paint, so you can load the brush with more paint and keep it on the brush longer between reloads. This makes them ideal for heavy-bodied paints and priming where carrying a lot of pigment on each stroke matters. Foam brushes hold less paint and are used for quick, light applications; sable brushes are very fine and smooth but don’t hold as much paint; nylon brushes are durable but also tend to hold less paint than natural hog bristle. So, for high paint retention, the China bristle brush is the best choice.