I looove paint brushes, and I am more than a little picky! Today we are going to take a look at The Stinger Brush.
Before we get started, I want to let you know that this is not a paid post. I purchased the Stinger Brush with my own money via Amazon and tried it out on several different projects, just because I was curious. However! Spoiler Alert: I do actually really like it, so I will include an affiliate link to purchase from Amazon. If you choose to purchase the brush (or an alternative) because you like the sound of it, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Basically, nobody asked me to write this, and my opinions are totally my own and unbiased.
What is The Stinger Brush?
There are actually three versions of The Stinger Brush:
- The Stinger Classic
- The Stinger Brush
- The Stinger Pro
Each of these brushes now come in three sizes: 2″, 2.5″, and 3″.
I purchased the mid-range 2.5″ Stinger Brush.
At the time it was the only size that they had available. It has the separate colored tip like the Pro, but for my purposes I didn’t think there was enough difference to upgrade.
Here’s what the manufacturer says about the brush:
“The Stinger Brush features the Firm Stinger Tip® with Fill-A-Blend Technology® designed for easy, precise edging. The Firm Stinger Tip® is especially excellent for most smoother surfaces. Its Fill-A-Blend Technology® combines multiple filament types to hold more paint for better brush performance.”
First Impressions and Price
The first thing you will notice about the Stinger Brush, is that the bristles are super high quality. They feel so supple and amazing. I’ll be honest, I was sad. I actually wanted to not like the brush, because of the price point, but it felt pretty darn good.
Here’s the link to check the current price, but at the time that I purchased the brush (and as I am writing this) it retailed on Amazon for about $25 USD.
In the grand scheme of things, is that a huge expense on your paint project? No. No, it’s not. But it felt extravagant.
After I rubbed the brush on my face a few more times, I got to work.
Using the Stinger Brush
When I picked out the Stinger Brush, I was a girl with a dream. An unrealistic dream, where I was really hoping that the shape of the Stinger Brush would glide perfectly across trim shaped like this:
…and I wouldn’t even have to cut in.
You can guess where this is going… physics denied me. Unfortunately, you do still have to take more than one pass at your trim. (Whomp whomp.)
Now I will say, that The Stinger Brush lives up to the rest of the hype when it comes to cutting in! The brush stays nicely filled, and it’s super easy to control.
A light hand makes a nice straight line, and a little more pressure fans the bristles out. I really have no complaints about the manoeuvrability.
Pros and Cons for the Stinger Brush
Let’s Talk About Pros:
Like I already mentioned:
- The Stinger Brush holds a good amount of paint
- It’s super easy to control
I don’t ever tape except for in tight spaces where you are bound to make a mess. I found The Stinger Brush was great for corners, ceilings, and trim. I could even cut around cover plates easily!
(Not that I would do that: *cough cough*)
- No drips or mess
Sometimes with cheaper brushes the paint will gather on the outside edge and drip off, but that wasn’t an issue.
- Easy clean up
The bristles are very wash-friendly. Even after several uses, the brush had some staining, but didn’t have caked on paint.
- The metal doesn’t rust
I was worried that the metal head would rust after a few washes and being stored, but it did not.
- Lasts a long time
I used The Stinger Brush from May through October pretty regularly, and it was still in excellent working order. There was a stray bristle or two that I simply nipped off.
Let’s Talk About the Cons
- My particular Stinger Brush was too big
At the time that I purchased, they either didn’t make a 2″ version, or it just wasn’t available on Amazon. While I really enjoyed the Stinger Brush, the 2.5″ version was bigger than I prefer for cutting in. If you have small hands especially, I found it just a little too big.
Apparently that’s not an issue anymore, but it’s still worth mentioning. I would get the 2″ if you can, and it would be even better if they made a 1.5″.
- The Stinger logo washed off immediately
I hesitate to even mention this, because it doesn’t affect the function whatsoever, but the logo washed off of my brush from the very first use.
Does it matter? Not really, but once the handle was painted up, I forgot what it was called. If you are someone who likes nice things, it does feel a bit cheap that it rinses right off.
Is the Stinger Brush Worth the Price?
Let’s talk about the price point! I wouldn’t list it as a con after having used the brush, because not only is it not that expensive (I’m just a baby), I think it was totally worth it.
I got a ton of use out of this brush. I used it on regular wall and trim paints, and I used it for furniture and art projects too.
When we moved my husband “accidentally” threw it out (RIP), but I will absolutely repurchase.
I will repurchase in the smaller 2″ size however, and ultimately would love a 1.5″ option for these tot-sized hands of mine.
Ready to get yours?
Buy your very own Stinger Brush.
Alternatives to The Stinger Brush
I absolutely do think that The Stinger Brush is worth it. If you want a solid alternative, my previous favorite brush is the Wooster Shortcut. (It’s still the brush linked in my supply list on most of my posts.)
I love the control of a short brush, and it has a nice angle! Where the Wooster falls short, is that it gets scruffy faster, and the bristles hang on to more dried paint.
Here are my other favorite supplies:
Don’t Forget Your Supplies!
This little brush might look funny, but it’s my absolute ride or die!
Rollers like these hold the most paint and make the job faster. Get a metal roller cage for easy on and off.
DryDex is the fastest (and funnest!) way to make chips and dents disappear. (Make sure you get a small spackling tool that actually fits in the container, and a sanding sponge.)
This tool will save your back and limit time on a ladder.
I’ve reviewed loads and loads of paint colors around here, but this was my first product review! Let me know if you are interested in more posts like this. I do love trying new things.
In the meantime, go ahead, procrastinate with these great posts:
