Updated 2018, Originally Posted 2009
We get a lot of questions about edging, cutting in, and trim painting, so we wanted to share our go-to tool: a short-handled, 2-inch angled brush made by Wooster. With this brush and a little practice you can paint clean, straight lines without relying on painter’s tape.
Best Cutting-In Brush Options
Short-handled angled brushes—sometimes called sash brushes—are widely available now. The Wooster Shortcut is our usual pick (there are typically two or three around our house), but other brands work well too. The key features to look for are a 2-inch width, a short handle, and angled bristles. Those elements give you the control needed for professional-looking edging.
- Wooster Shortcut (2-inch) — budget-friendly and easy to find
- Valspar Wall & Trim Brush — a solid option at major retailers
- Purdy XL Cub Sash Brush — a higher-end choice for frequent painters
Why an Angled Sash Brush Is Ideal for Cutting In
The short handle lets you grip the brush like a large pencil, offering fine control for steady lines whether you’re edging around windows, doors, or ceilings. The angled tip helps prevent the paint from pooling into drips as you move the brush along the edge. Together these features make it easy to achieve a crisp line without relying on tape.
We like the short-handled brush so much we often use it for trim painting too. Its control makes tasks faster and cleaner, and it reduces the need for time-consuming tape application.
How to Edge a Room with a Short Angled Brush
To see the brush in action, watch how Sherry used it to cut in cleanly in our guest bedroom, both on horizontal edges like baseboards and vertical edges like door frames. Practicing slow, deliberate strokes and keeping the brush consistently loaded with the right amount of paint will help you reproduce the same results.
The Biggest Mistake to Avoid When Cutting In
The main error is loading the brush with too much paint. Excess paint causes globs, drips, and build-up along your edge. To avoid that, wipe the brush on the rim of the can and then lightly brush off extra paint onto the wall or trim before you approach the edge. You might not get full coverage with one coat, but avoiding drips leads to a much neater finish and makes subsequent coats easier.
Storing Your Paint Brush Between Coats
These brushes typically have polyester bristles that clean up easily with water. If you need to pause between coats and want to keep the brush fresh, store it in a small resealable plastic bag. The tight seal keeps the bristles from drying out for days at a time, saving cleanup and preserving the brush’s shape.
More Painting Resources & How-Tos
If you want more guidance for a painting project, here are additional topics you may find useful:
- How to roll a room for painting ceilings and walls
- Preparing a room for painting, including time-lapse examples
- How to paint trim and molding using a brush
- Painting window trim with a paint sprayer
- Painting doors with a paint sprayer
- General tips to make your paint job easier
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