Brush vs. Spray: Clearing Up Common Painting Myths

Painting is one of the oldest skilled trades, and like many long-standing professions, it comes with its share of myths. One of the most common misconceptions we hear at Century Painting & More is that brush application is inherently higher quality than spraying.

Our goal has always been simple: deliver the best possible finish using the right method for each project. The information below is meant to help homeowners understand how paint application really works, how to choose the right contractor, and how to fairly evaluate the quality of a paint job.

Myth #1: “You need to brush the paint into the wood.”

We often hear phrases like “brush it in” or “work it into the surface.” While this sounds logical, modern coating chemistry tells a different story.

On most repaint projects, paint is designed to bond to the existing coating—not soak into the wood. Only certain primers and transparent or semi-transparent stains (not solid stains or paints) are intended to penetrate the substrate. Even then, proper surface preparation—not the application method—is what allows penetration to occur.

At Century Painting & More, we know that over-brushing or over-working a coating can actually cause failures. Many peeling or adhesion issues are the result of forcing a product to do something it was never designed to do.

Myth #2: “Houses aren’t sprayed—so why would you spray mine?”

In reality, homes are sprayed all the time—especially when the scope, layout, and conditions make it the best option. When spraying isn’t used, it’s usually due to practical considerations, not quality concerns, such as:

• Project size: Smaller jobs may not justify the additional setup time for spraying, including masking and equipment prep.
• Contractor capability: Not all contractors own professional spray equipment or have trained applicators.
• Misinformation: Residential painting is a fragmented market, and outdated beliefs often persist.

At Century Painting & More, we own professional spray equipment and train our crews to use it correctly. We choose brush, spray, or a combination of both based on what will deliver the best long-term result—not what’s easiest.

Myth #3: “The paint is peeling because it was sprayed.”

Peeling paint is almost never caused by the application method. In our decades of experience, the most common causes are:

• Moisture intrusion
• Inadequate surface preparation
• Poor-quality or problematic substrates

Spraying does not create moisture problems, nor does brushing fix them. Proper prep, correct products, and experienced application are what determine durability—not whether a brush or sprayer was used.

The Century Painting & More Approach

A poor spray job is worse than a good brush job—just as a poor brush job is worse than a good spray job. Many negative perceptions of spraying come from experiences with untrained contractors using improper technique.

At Century Painting & More, we focus on:

• Proper surface preparation
• Correct product selection
• Trained, experienced applicators
• The right application method for each surface

When done correctly, both brushing and spraying produce the same outcome: a beautiful, durable finish that protects your home.

If a process consistently delivers higher-quality results while improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary labor, it deserves careful consideration. That’s how we approach every project—fact-based, not myth-based.

By Century Painting & More