I bought a new brush, a 1/2" diagonal fitch, from Rayco. I was expecting this to be similar to my Mack fitches (which seem to have some boar or ox to stiffen them up). This one feels very very soft, so I'm guessing its mostly squirrel. Can somebody tell me what this kind of brush is for?
It feels too soft to use on rough walls (which is what I needed it for). I'm guessing maybe it will be nice for hand painting onto dimensional letters? Laying down size?
Its a beautifully made brush... I don't want to ruin it!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Looks like it could be used for filling in them bigger letters or doing a brush blend. And also for guilding, keeping the size flat and run free. Maybe even window lettering using 1-Shot or similar product.
Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :
we used to call those blitz fitches back in my billboard painting days,...you'll have to use your paint somewhat thinner than if you were using a china bristle fitch,..they actually allow for sharper lines on masonry (and old rough repainted billboards)than normal china bristle fitches and work much faster once you get used to them,(you don't want to use near as much pressure as you would with a china bristle and especially do not use enough pressure to ride the heel of the fitch it,ll ruin the brush just like it would a quill)...I wouldn't try filling in with them as they will take a week of extra time if you do(1/2" brush won't hold much paint and you'll wear it out real quick on brick using it for a fill in brush),...all this being said after 40 years of painting walls I prefer that type of brush for outlining my copy before filling it in with a larger brush or roller
edit to add,... try it out on a wall somewhere first and with a little practice you'll see what I mean,...I also would advise using a larger size for any copy over 1' high,it'll hold more paint for longer strokes...
[ May 07, 2013, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Tim Barrow ]
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hey Scooter, long time! still painting in the Heart of Art, SF environs... just checked my brushes, first used the black, soft ditches, M. Grumbacher series 3722,early '60's, got some Mack series 4039 w/ gold handle 7-8 years ago, like Tim said, work real well in the right circumstances... was told early on "good to work on oilcloth signs(stretches on a frame)
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
Thanks for the replies. It does feel like it would be nice to use on walls... I was just afraid a rough surface would wear it out prematurely. Maybe I'll save it in case I get an interior wall to paint on... (I've pretty much quit using 1-Shot for any exterior use unless I'm spraying or rolling and can put down two coats...)
Posted by Gary Leamons (Member # 42199) on :
Hi Scooter We used to call this brush a deer foot fitch or just a soft fitch. The long metal ferrule allowed the use of a straight edge on vertical lines. The helper filled in the letter. This brush took a long time to master and what a dripper! I began my sign career at Blogett Signs on High St. in Oakland,in 1964. Are they still around?
Gary Leamons L'Sign Co
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
Hi Gary Thanks for the extra info on the "deer foot".
No, Blogget is no longer around (I've never heard of them, so they chalked up, faded out, and blew away over a decade ago.
Posted by Bill Reusch (Member # 8028) on :
They also work great lettering corrugated semi trailers
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
Hi Bill Ah, corrugated trailers -- that makes sense! (I've only ever painted one box truck, so I forget about paint on vehicles...)
