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Best Paint Brush Sets: 10 Picks for Detail, Classrooms, and Studio Work in 2026

Compare paint brush sets for fine details, broad strokes, classroom painting, and portable watercolor work.

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The right paint brush set depends on whether you need controlled detail, broad coverage, or a mix of shapes for everyday painting. These picks cover artist brushes, specialty lettering tools, and kid-friendly options, so match the bristle style and handle to your projects.

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Broadest All-Medium Assortment

U.S. Art Supply 24-Piece Oil & Acrylic Brush Set

U.S. Art Supply 24-Piece Oil & Acrylic Brush Set
  • Includes 12 nylon and 12 natural hog bristle brushes.
  • Has six round and six flat brushes in each bristle type.
  • Comes with a roll-up canvas organizer.

Best For: Painters who want varied brush shapes and bristle types in one organized set.

Travel Case With Pop-Up Stand

U.S. Art Supply 15-Piece Long Handle Synthetic Set

U.S. Art Supply 15-Piece Long Handle Synthetic Set
  • Includes 15 assorted brush types.
  • Uses soft nylon bristles.
  • The zippered case has a pop-up stand.

Best For: Artists who want assorted synthetic brushes in a travel-ready case that stands open.

Miniature Work With Named Sizes

U.S. Art Supply 12-Piece Miniature Detail Brush Set

U.S. Art Supply 12-Piece Miniature Detail Brush Set
  • Includes 12 miniature brushes for detail work.
  • Has five round, five liner, and two flat sizes.
  • Uses short handles for precision control.

Best For: Model makers and painters who need fine round, liner, and flat brushes.

Compact Shapes for Everyday Painting

Mr. Pen 10-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set

Mr. Pen 10-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set
  • Includes 10 brushes in assorted shapes and sizes.
  • Includes round, flat, filbert, and angular tips.
  • Has ergonomic wooden handles and synthetic bristles.

Best For: Beginners and hobby painters who want a compact mix of brush shapes.

Short-Handle Taklon Variety

U.S. Art Supply Golden Taklon 7-Piece Set

U.S. Art Supply Golden Taklon 7-Piece Set
  • Includes seven short-handle artist brushes.
  • Contains wash, flat shader, round, liner, and angular shader brushes.
  • Uses Golden Taklon nylon hair.

Best For: Painters who prefer short handles and a small set of named brush shapes.

Chunky Brushes for Classrooms

U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Hog Bristle Set

U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Hog Bristle Set
  • Includes 20 assorted hog bristle brushes.
  • Has jumbo, chunky handles and full hog bristles.
  • Includes flat and round brush shapes.

Best For: Classrooms and young artists who need easy-grip brushes for bold strokes.

Utility Brushes for Coatings and Glue

US Art Supply 20-Piece Paint and Chip Brush Set

US Art Supply 20-Piece Paint and Chip Brush Set
  • Includes 20 assorted paint and chip brushes.
  • Has four width sizes from 1/2 inch to 2 inches.
  • Uses pure white bristles with wood handles and tin ferrules.

Best For: DIY users applying paint, stain, varnish, glue, or gesso over larger areas.

Full Range for Pinstriping

Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set

Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set
  • Includes six brushes across sword, scroll, and long-liner styles.
  • Covers sword, scroll, and long liner sizes.
  • Uses long handles and smoked chrome ferrules.

Best For: Pinstripers who want sword, scroll, and long-liner styles in one set.

Starter Kit for Pinstriping

Custom Shop Starter Pinstriping Brush Kit

Custom Shop Starter Pinstriping Brush Kit
  • Includes three pinstriping brush styles.
  • Combines sword, scroll, and long-liner brushes.
  • Uses squirrel hair and nylon wool construction.

Best For: Beginners who want one sword, scroll, and long-liner brush for pinstriping practice.

Bulk Brushes for Groups

Mr. Pen 100-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set

Mr. Pen 100-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set
  • Contains 100 brushes arranged as 10 sets.
  • Includes round and pointed tip brushes.
  • Uses synthetic bristles and lightweight ergonomic handles.

Best For: Art classes and group projects that need many basic brushes at once.

Broadest All-Medium Assortment

U.S. Art Supply 24-Piece Oil & Acrylic Artist Paint Brush Set with Long Handles, Canvas Brush Organizer Holder Roll-Up - Round, Flat Tips, Use for Painting Portraits, Canvas, Paper - Students, Adults

U.S. Art Supply 24-Piece Oil & Acrylic Brush Set
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This 24-piece set gives you both synthetic nylon and natural hog bristle brushes, with round and flat shapes in a range of sizes. Long handles suit canvas work, while the roll-up organizer keeps the brushes together for storage or travel.

It covers oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, inks, and enamel, so it can serve a mixed-medium kit. The tradeoff is that it is a broad assortment rather than a focused detail set; buyers working on miniatures or fine lettering may prefer smaller specialty brushes.

Best For: Painters who want varied brush shapes and bristle types in one organized set.

Pros Cons
  • The two bristle types give this set flexibility across different painting tasks.
  • The organizer is designed to store and carry the brushes.
  • It supports several painting mediums.
  • It is a large, general-purpose set rather than a focused miniature-detail assortment.
  • Not specified: whether the organizer has separate closures or protection for wet brushes.

Choose this set when you want a wide selection for canvas and mixed-medium work, plus a case that rolls closed. The mix of hog bristle and nylon is its main distinction from all-synthetic sets.

Check whether the brush shapes and long handles suit your usual painting surface, and plan for a dedicated fine-detail set if tiny marks are a regular part of your work.

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Travel Case With Pop-Up Stand

U.S. Art Supply 15 Piece Artist Long Handle Synthetic Paint Brush Set - Multi Functional Watercolor Gouache Oil Acrylic Brush Set in Zippered Nylon Pop-Up Travel Storage Case

U.S. Art Supply 15-Piece Long Handle Synthetic Set
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This 15-piece set combines long handles with assorted brush types, including fan, filbert, shader, bright, flat, angle, round, and rigger. Its nylon bristles are intended to resist shedding and hold their shape, and the zippered case includes a pop-up stand for a portable work setup.

The set spans acrylic, watercolor, gouache, plein air, and face painting. It is a useful option when portability and range matter, though the supplied details do not break down the number of brushes in each shape or provide individual sizes.

Best For: Artists who want assorted synthetic brushes in a travel-ready case that stands open.

Pros Cons
  • The assortment covers many common brush shapes.
  • The case is built for carrying and opens into a stand.
  • It supports several water-based and other painting mediums.
  • Individual brush sizes and the quantity of each shape are not specified.

Pick this set if you want variety plus a case that can stand open while you work away from a permanent studio. The long handles and synthetic bristles suit a broad mix of painting activities.

Before buying, check whether the unlisted individual sizes match your preferred stroke widths; artists who need exact round or liner sizes may be better served by a set with a stated size list.

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Miniature Work With Named Sizes

U.S. Art Supply Miniature Detail Paint Brush Set - 12 Miniature Brushes for Art Painting - Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil

U.S. Art Supply 12-Piece Miniature Detail Brush Set
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This 12-brush set focuses on small, precise work, with short handles that are easy to hold for detailed painting. It includes five round sizes, five liner sizes, and two flat sizes, all identified in the product details.

Golden Taklon synthetic bristles are layered over natural hair bristles, and the ferrules are aluminum. Its focus makes it more suitable for models, doll houses, nail art, and other fine-detail tasks than for covering large areas; pair it with broader brushes if your projects need both scales.

Best For: Model makers and painters who need fine round, liner, and flat brushes.

Pros Cons
  • The stated size range makes it easier to select specific detail shapes.
  • The short handles are suited to precision work.
  • It is intended for models, doll houses, and other fine-detail projects.
  • The set is oriented toward detail work, so broad coverage requires other brushes.
  • Not specified: whether a storage case is included.

Choose this set when your work depends on small, controlled marks and you want the round and liner sizes spelled out. Its short handles and miniature focus make it a poor match as a sole set for large canvases or broad washes.

Check that the included size range fits your subject, and confirm whether you need separate storage because a case is not specified.

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Compact Shapes for Everyday Painting

Mr. Pen- Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 10 Pack, Round & Pointed Tip | Nylon Hair Artist Brushes for Watercolor, Oil, Rock, Face, Nail, Miniature, Canvas, Detailing, Drawing, Art Supplies

Mr. Pen 10-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set
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This 10-piece Mr. Pen set offers round, flat, filbert, and angular tips in assorted sizes, with synthetic bristles and ergonomic wooden handles. The shape mix suits detail lines, shading, washes, and general craft painting across acrylic, watercolor, and gouache.

It is a compact everyday assortment for someone who wants several basic brush styles without a large kit. Specific sizes and a storage case are not given, so painters who need exact dimensions or a travel organizer should check those details before choosing it.

Best For: Beginners and hobby painters who want a compact mix of brush shapes.

Pros Cons
  • The four tip shapes provide a flexible basic assortment.
  • The handles are designed for a comfortable, balanced grip.
  • The brushes are intended for acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and craft projects.
  • Not specified: individual brush sizes within the assortment.
  • Not specified: whether a storage case is included.

This set fits a beginner or hobby painter who wants a modest spread of familiar shapes for several mediums. Its wooden handles and synthetic bristles keep the assortment straightforward, but the missing size list makes it harder to plan for a specific stroke width.

Check the intended brush dimensions and storage arrangement if either matters to your workspace.

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Short-Handle Taklon Variety

U.S. Art Supply Golden Taklon 7-Piece Nylon Hair Artist Paint Brush Set

U.S. Art Supply Golden Taklon 7-Piece Set
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This seven-piece set keeps its selection focused: a wash brush, flat shaders, rounds, a liner, and an angular shader. It uses Golden Taklon nylon hair and short handles, making it a compact choice for close work or a smaller work area.

Unlike larger assortments, its exact brush types and sizes are identified, which helps if you want to fill a specific gap in your kit. The set does not include a stated case or broad bristle variety, so consider how you store brushes and whether these shapes cover your usual tasks.

Best For: Painters who prefer short handles and a small set of named brush shapes.

Pros Cons
  • The set provides a useful range of named shapes in a compact count.
  • Short handles may suit close-in brush control and compact workspaces.
  • The specific size list makes the contents easy to identify.
  • The seven-brush assortment is smaller than broad multi-medium kits.
  • Not specified: storage case or brush holder.

Select this set if short handles and a known mix of small-to-medium brush shapes suit your work. The named sizes are useful when adding brushes to an existing collection.

It offers fewer pieces than larger kits, so check whether its single wash, liner, and angular shader cover your needs; plan separate storage if you expect a case.

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Chunky Brushes for Classrooms

U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Assorted Hog Bristle Brush Set - Large Thick Paint Brushes, Classroom Paint Brushes for Crafts, Tempera & Acrylic Painting, Ideal for Beginners & Students

U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Hog Bristle Set
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This 20-piece set is built around large, chunky handles and full hog bristles. The assortment includes flat brushes for broad strokes and washes, plus round brushes for detail, blending, and texture.

It is geared toward classrooms, craft projects, tempera, poster painting, and acrylic, where easy grip and bold coverage matter more than fine control. The larger handle style can suit preschool and young artists, but painters seeking miniature detail brushes or delicate lines should choose a more specialized set.

Best For: Classrooms and young artists who need easy-grip brushes for bold strokes.

Pros Cons
  • The chunky handles are designed for easy grip.
  • Flat and round brushes support different kinds of strokes.
  • The set suits classroom and craft activities.
  • The large handles and bristles favor bold strokes over fine control.
  • Not specified: individual brush widths or sizes.

Choose this set for shared classroom use, young painters, or craft sessions where grasping a chunky handle and covering larger areas are useful. Its flat and round shapes add flexibility, but the thick handles are less suited to close precision than miniature sets.

Check brush sizes if your projects depend on specific widths, because the individual dimensions are not provided.

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Utility Brushes for Coatings and Glue

US Art Supply 20 Pack of Assorted Size Paint and Chip Paint Brushes for Paint, Stains, Varnishes, Glues, and Gesso

US Art Supply 20-Piece Paint and Chip Brush Set
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This utility-focused pack contains 20 white-bristle paint and chip brushes in four widths, with smooth sanded wood handles and tin ferrules. It is intended for most paints as well as stains, varnishes, glues, and gesso, making it useful for preparation, coatings, and messy craft jobs.

Its broad brush format differs from artist sets built around rounds and liners, so it is not the right pick for miniature detailing. The listed width breakdown makes it easier to choose a brush for a project, but the brush length is given only as a bristle length.

Best For: DIY users applying paint, stain, varnish, glue, or gesso over larger areas.

Pros Cons
  • The four widths suit a range of coating and utility jobs.
  • It supports paints, stains, varnishes, glues, and gesso.
  • The smooth sanded handles and tin ferrules are specified.
  • The chip-brush assortment is aimed at utility work rather than fine artist detail.
  • Not specified: whether the brushes are intended for reuse after applying adhesives or coatings.

Pick this pack for coating, priming, glue, or general cleanup work where several brush widths are more useful than a fine artist shape assortment. The width breakdown is its practical advantage.

It is not a substitute for rounds, liners, or miniature brushes, so check the job before treating it as a general art set; its bristle length does not state the full brush dimensions.

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Full Range for Pinstriping

Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set (Sword #0, 00, 000, Scroll #1 & #2, Long Liner #00) - The Complete Set of Every Brush Style and Size - High Performance Striping Brushes

Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set
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This six-brush master set focuses on pinstriping rather than general painting. It includes sword brushes in sizes zero, double zero, and triple zero, scroll brushes in sizes one and two, and a long liner in double zero.

The long handles and smoked chrome ferrules suit the specialized format, while the blend of squirrel hair and nylon wool defines its brush construction. Choose it for line work and turning strokes associated with pinstriping; it is a narrow-purpose kit and does not replace a conventional assortment of flats and rounds.

Best For: Pinstripers who want sword, scroll, and long-liner styles in one set.

Pros Cons
  • The set groups multiple pinstriping styles and sizes.
  • Its brushes are designed for straight lines and turning qualities.
  • The brush construction combines squirrel hair and nylon wool.
  • Its specialized styles are intended for pinstriping, not a general-purpose assortment.
  • Not specified: whether a protective storage case is included.

This is the pinstriping choice for someone who wants a wider style and size spread than a starter kit. The sword, scroll, and long-liner mix supports specialized line work, but offers little of the flat and round variety useful for general painting.

Check that these particular styles match your pinstriping approach and arrange separate storage if you need a protective case.

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Starter Kit for Pinstriping

Custom Shop Starter Pinstriping Brush Kit (Sword #00, Scroll #1 & Long Liner - #00) One of Each All 3 Brush Styles - High Performance Striping Brushes

Custom Shop Starter Pinstriping Brush Kit
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This three-brush starter kit brings together one sword, one scroll, and one long-liner style. The set is designed for getting started in pinstriping and includes long-handled brushes made with squirrel hair and nylon wool.

Its compact selection provides a focused introduction to striping tools without the broader size range of the master set. It is a specialty choice rather than an everyday art brush collection, so check that pinstriping is your main need before buying; painters seeking standard flats, rounds, or broad washes should look elsewhere.

Best For: Beginners who want one sword, scroll, and long-liner brush for pinstriping practice.

Pros Cons
  • The three styles provide a compact starting assortment for pinstriping.
  • It is designed for straight lines and turns.
  • The set includes three brush styles: sword, scroll, and long liner.
  • It offers fewer styles and sizes than the six-brush master set.
  • Not specified: whether a protective storage case is included.

Choose this set if you are beginning pinstriping and want its three core styles in one focused kit. The smaller selection keeps the choice simple, but it gives you less range than the master set and is not a general paint brush assortment.

Check that the included sword, scroll, and long-liner sizes match the line work you plan to practice.

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Bulk Brushes for Groups

Mr. Pen- Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 100 Pack, Round & Pointed Tip | Nylon Hair Artist Brushes Bulk for Watercolor, Oil, Rock, Face, Nail, Miniature, Canvas, Detailing, Drawing, Art Supplies

Mr. Pen 100-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush Set
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This 100-piece set is arranged as ten sets of brushes, making it suited to classrooms, workshops, or group craft sessions that need multiple brushes available. The brushes use synthetic bristles and include round and pointed tips in assorted shapes and sizes, with lightweight ergonomic handles.

The range is intended for acrylic, watercolor, oil, and craft painting, spanning detail work and broader strokes. Its large total count is useful for sharing, though an individual artist may find a smaller set easier to store and manage.

Best For: Art classes and group projects that need many basic brushes at once.

Pros Cons
  • The quantity suits classes and group use.
  • The assortment is intended for multiple painting mediums.
  • The brush shapes cover detail and broader strokes.
  • A 100-piece supply may be more than an individual painter needs.
  • Not specified: the exact shape and size breakdown across the 10 sets.

Choose this bulk pack when you need to equip several people or keep a shared supply available for varied classroom projects. The large count and broad medium compatibility are its main advantages.

For personal work, consider whether you need that many brushes and check the exact shape and size mix, which is not detailed enough to plan around specific techniques.

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How to Choose Paint Brush Sets

How We Picked Paint Brush Sets

These picks cover distinct needs within paint brush sets: general artist assortments, miniature detail work, classroom painting, utility coatings, and pinstriping. We favored candidates with a clear brush count, shape or bristle details, and a stated use that helps match the set to a real project.

A broad set such as the U.S. Art Supply 24-piece kit offers two bristle types and a roll-up organizer. Detail sets provide smaller named sizes, while classroom sets emphasize easy-grip handles and bold coverage.

Specialty pinstriping tools remain useful when the project requires their sword, scroll, or liner shapes.

Comparing Paint Brush Sets for Different Projects

The most important difference is the job each set is built to do. The 24-piece U.S. Art Supply set combines nylon and hog bristle rounds and flats; the 15-piece travel set uses assorted synthetic brush types and a case that opens into a stand.

Both cover a range of mediums, but one adds two bristle types while the other emphasizes portable storage.

For small-scale work, the U.S. Art Supply miniature set names its round, liner, and flat sizes. Mr. Pen’s 10-piece set instead gives a general mix of round, flat, filbert, and angular tips.

The Golden Taklon seven-piece set also names its compact shapes and sizes, which can help when filling gaps in an existing kit.

Utility brushes serve another purpose: the US Art Supply chip brushes come in four widths for paint, stain, varnish, glue, and gesso. Pinstriping kits narrow the field further, with the Custom Shop starter kit providing three styles and the master set expanding to six brushes.

Pick based on the mark you need to make, not just the total brush count.

ProductStandout featuresBest for
U.S. Art Supply 24-Piece Oil & Acrylic Brush SetCheck Price
  • Includes 12 nylon and 12 natural hog bristle brushes.
  • Has six round and six flat brushes in each bristle type.
Painters who want varied brush shapes and bristle types in one organized set.
U.S. Art Supply 15-Piece Long Handle Synthetic SetCheck Price
  • Includes 15 assorted brush types.
  • Uses soft nylon bristles.
Artists who want assorted synthetic brushes in a travel-ready case that stands open.
U.S. Art Supply 12-Piece Miniature Detail Brush SetCheck Price
  • Includes 12 miniature brushes for detail work.
  • Has five round, five liner, and two flat sizes.
Model makers and painters who need fine round, liner, and flat brushes.
Mr. Pen 10-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush SetCheck Price
  • Includes 10 brushes in assorted shapes and sizes.
  • Includes round, flat, filbert, and angular tips.
Beginners and hobby painters who want a compact mix of brush shapes.
U.S. Art Supply Golden Taklon 7-Piece SetCheck Price
  • Includes seven short-handle artist brushes.
  • Contains wash, flat shader, round, liner, and angular shader brushes.
Painters who prefer short handles and a small set of named brush shapes.
U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Hog Bristle SetCheck Price
  • Includes 20 assorted hog bristle brushes.
  • Has jumbo, chunky handles and full hog bristles.
Classrooms and young artists who need easy-grip brushes for bold strokes.
US Art Supply 20-Piece Paint and Chip Brush SetCheck Price
  • Includes 20 assorted paint and chip brushes.
  • Has four width sizes from 1/2 inch to 2 inches.
DIY users applying paint, stain, varnish, glue, or gesso over larger areas.
Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master SetCheck Price
  • Includes six brushes across sword, scroll, and long-liner styles.
  • Covers sword, scroll, and long liner sizes.
Pinstripers who want sword, scroll, and long-liner styles in one set.
Custom Shop Starter Pinstriping Brush KitCheck Price
  • Includes three pinstriping brush styles.
  • Combines sword, scroll, and long-liner brushes.
Beginners who want one sword, scroll, and long-liner brush for pinstriping practice.
Mr. Pen 100-Piece Acrylic Paint Brush SetCheck Price
  • Contains 100 brushes arranged as 10 sets.
  • Includes round and pointed tip brushes.
Art classes and group projects that need many basic brushes at once.

Choosing Artist Brushes for Medium and Handle Preference

Bristles and handles affect the fit of a set. The 24-piece artist kit pairs synthetic nylon and natural hog bristle brushes, while the travel set uses nylon across its assorted shapes.

The classroom hog-bristle pack prioritizes chunky handles for an easier grip. The short-handle Golden Taklon set suits painters who prefer a compact brush profile.

The candidates identify several compatible mediums, including acrylic, watercolor, oil, and gouache, but do not give every brush’s size or storage details. If you need a particular stroke width, look for an explicit size list such as the miniature set’s rounds and liners.

If you paint on the move, check the case style: a roll-up organizer and a pop-up stand offer different ways to carry and arrange brushes.

Which Paint Brush Set Should You Buy?

Choose the 24-piece U.S. Art Supply set for a varied studio assortment with both nylon and hog bristle brushes. The 15-piece travel set suits artists who want assorted shapes in a case that stands open.

For miniatures and nail art, the U.S. Art Supply detail set provides the most specific size list among these picks.

For shared craft or classroom painting, the 20-piece chunky-handle hog-bristle set is geared toward young users and bold strokes; the 100-piece Mr. Pen pack makes more sense when many brushes are needed at once. DIY users can choose the 20-piece chip brush pack for coatings, while pinstripers can select the three-brush starter kit or six-brush master set according to how much style range they want.

Written by

leciawphinney.com Editorial Team

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Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set

Custom Shop Pinstriping Brush Master Set

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Best for: Pinstripers who want sword, scroll, and long-liner styles in one set.

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