Proform

Proform paintbrushes give painting contractors and crews options for cutting in and brushing out paint. Contractor PBT covers a broad mix of coatings, while Picasso removes an internal pocket where paint and wash water collect. Your coating, surface and preferred grip determine which brush fits the job.

Proform Technologies is the company behind Proform paintbrushes and painting applicators. Its brush families include Contractor, Picasso and China. Its catalog also includes rollers and painting accessories.

Contractor PBT and coating fit

Contractor PBT brushes work with oils, stains, enamels, varnishes and latex paints. You can use them with both oil-based and water-based coatings. That’s a useful spread when your crew moves between trim paint, stain and wall paint. Clean the brush with the cleaner specified for the coating.

Proform Stiff uses PBT with added PET for strength and is intended for rough surfaces and paints high in pigments and solids, with compatibility for both oil-based and water-based coatings.

Picasso and trapped wash water

Picasso uses the Advantage PBT filament blend and Hardline interior construction. Hardline permanently joins the handle to the ferrule and removes the internal space where paint, cleaner and water collect. Favor Picasso when that collection pocket is the problem you’re trying to solve.

Liquid left inside a brush can work its way out after cleaning. Picasso’s construction addresses that pocket; the filaments still need attention. Rinse paint out of them and let the brush dry before storage.

With either Contractor PBT or Picasso, burying the brush in paint makes cleanup harder. Paint dried deep in the heel can keep the filaments spread apart. Keep the load toward the working end and clean before the coating hardens.

Match the cut and handle to your stroke

The 70/30 Blend family includes straight-cut brushes with oval and sash handles, plus an angled brush with a short handle. For working an edge, an angled cut lets you lead with the narrow end. Keep the tips under control; pressing hard enough to spread them makes a clean line harder.

A straight cut gives you an even working edge for brushing across a flat face. On a door rail or flat trim face, your grip matters through the whole stroke. Favor the handle that lets you guide the tips without squeezing hard.

Proform China brushes have processed, straight bristles, closed-pore rubbed wood handles and reinforced ferrules. White China includes angled sash brushes with sash handles and straight-cut stiff brushes with beavertail handles.

Brush specifications

Brush family	Model	Width	Cut	Handle
Contractor 70/30 Blend	CO2.0S	2 inches	Straight	Oval
White China	CS1.5AX	1-1/2 inches	Angled sash	Sash
White China	CB2.5X	2-1/2 inches	Straight, stiff	Beavertail
White China	CB3.0X	3 inches	Straight, stiff	Beavertail

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a Proform paintbrush?

Start with the cut and the grip: Proform’s 70/30 Blend family includes straight-cut brushes with oval and sash handles, plus an angled brush with a short handle. Choose the angled, short-handle brush when you want your hand close to the work while guiding the tips along an edge. A straight cut gives you an even working edge for brushing a flat face.

Are Proform Contractor brushes good for different types of paint?

Proform Contractor PBT brushes work with oils, stains, enamels, varnishes and latex paints, so they’re a practical choice when your coating changes from job to job. For rough surfaces or paint high in pigments and solids, choose the Stiff version, which adds PET to the PBT filaments for strength. Clean out the previous coating thoroughly before switching finishes.

What’s different about a Proform Picasso paintbrush?

A Proform Picasso paintbrush combines Advantage PBT filaments with Hardline construction that permanently joins the handle to the metal ferrule and eliminates an internal pocket where liquid can collect. Choose it when trapped wash water dripping out after cleanup is a recurring nuisance. You still need to clean the filaments thoroughly and let the brush dry before putting it away.