Paint Brushes and Rollers: Prices and Sets Compared

Good paint brushes and rollers make the difference between a wall with clean lines and an even finish and one with brush marks, lint and patchy cover. The right tool depends on the paint: synthetic filaments for water-based paint, natural bristle for solvent-based enamel. Roller nap depends on the wall: short for smooth plaster, long for face brick or rough render. Tell us what you are painting and suppliers near you quote on brush sets, rollers, poles and trays. It is free and there is no obligation.

Choosing brushes

Use synthetic brushes (nylon or polyester) with water-based acrylics and PVA: they keep their shape when wet. Use natural bristle with solvent-based enamel and oil paint: it holds more paint and lays it off smoothly. Common sizes:

25 mm for window frames, burglar bars and fine trims.
50 mm for cutting in at ceilings, corners and skirtings.
75 mm for doors, fascias and wider trims.
An angled sash brush makes straight lines easier.

Choosing rollers

A 225 mm roller is standard for walls. Pick the nap (pile length) to suit the surface: a short nap of about 5 to 10 mm for smooth skimmed walls and ceilings, a medium nap for ordinary plaster, and a long nap for face brick, bagged walls and rough render. Foam or mohair mini rollers give a smooth finish on doors with enamel paint. Add an extension pole so you can roll ceilings and high walls from the floor, and a tray with a grid, or a bucket and grid for big jobs.

What drives the price

Cheap brushes shed bristles into the paint and leave streaks. A better brush holds a sharp edge and lasts many jobs if cleaned. Roller sleeves differ in how much lint they release and how evenly they load. Suppliers often quote a brush set at about R50 to R180, a 225 mm roller and handle at about R60 to R80, and a roller and tray set at about R60 to R110, depending on the grade. Painters buying for a crew should ask for trade pricing on sleeves in bulk.

Cleaning and storing

Wash water-based paint out with warm soapy water until the water runs clear. Clean enamel brushes in mineral turpentine, then wash with soap. Spin or shake rollers dry and hang brushes bristles down or lay them flat; never stand them on the bristles. Between coats on the same day, wrap the brush or roller in plastic to stop it drying. For larger areas, compare with spray painting machines.

What to include in your request

Paint type: water-based or enamel
Brush sizes and how many of each
Roller width and nap for your wall
Poles, trays, grids or buckets needed
Home use or a trade crew in bulk

Paint Brushes and Rollers for different clients

Homeowners: a brush set and roller kit to repaint a bedroom or touch up a lounge
Landlords and sellers: a basic roller and tray set kept for quick touch-ups between tenants
Body corporates and estates: rollers and poles for maintenance staff touching up common walls and passages
Shops, offices and restaurants: a small kit for after-hours touch-ups in a shop or restaurant
Factories, farms and mines: long nap rollers and bristle brushes for block walls and steel
Builders and developers: bulk roller sleeves and brushes for crews on new walls
Schools, churches and public buildings: durable rollers and poles for high school halls and church walls
Painters and contractors: trade-priced sleeves, quality cutting-in brushes and spare frames in bulk

Frequently asked questions

What size paint brush do I need for cutting in?

A 50 mm brush is the usual choice for cutting in where the wall meets the ceiling, corners and skirtings. Some painters prefer a 50 mm angled sash brush because the slanted tip follows a line more easily. Use a 25 mm brush on narrow window frames and a 75 mm brush on doors and wide trims.

Can I use the same brush for water-based and enamel paint?

It is better not to. Natural bristle absorbs water and goes floppy in acrylic paint, while synthetic brushes work with both but are usually chosen for water-based paint. Keep separate brushes for each type, and never put a brush with solvent residue into water-based paint, as it can spoil the finish.

Which roller nap is best for face brick or rough plaster?

Use a long nap roller, often around 20 mm or more, on face brick, bagged walls and rough render. The longer fibres push paint into the joints and hollows. A short nap on a rough wall leaves bare spots and uses more effort. Expect rough surfaces to use noticeably more paint per m² too.

How do I get prices on brushes and rollers?

List what you need, such as a brush set, two roller sleeves, a pole and a tray, and send it in one request. We are a free quote service, so we pass your list to paint shops and suppliers near you and they reply with their prices. Compare them line by line.

Brushes and rollers that suit the paint and the wall

Choosing brushes

Choosing rollers

What drives the price

Cleaning and storing

What to include in your request

Paint Brushes and Rollers for different clients

Frequently asked questions

Paint Brushes and Rollers by province and city

More painting services and supplies

Painting services

Wall paint & coatings

Tools & supplies

Request painting quotes

01The job

02How many (optional, it helps the quote)

03When

04Request list (optional)

05Your details