Making silicone tape paintbrushes could not be simpler. In addition to their simplicity, they’re super durable and allow you to create paintbrushes using a wide variety of exciting materials.

Below, you’ll find both a short video explaining the process and a write-up of the process.

DIY Video

Here’s a quick video explaining the process:

Why Silicone Tape?

Silicone tape is a flexible, self-fusing tape made from silicone that creates an airtight and watertight seal without needing adhesives. People commonly use it to repair leaks, insulate electrical connections, and protect surfaces from moisture and corrosion.

Its moisture resistance, strength, and durability make it an ideal product for connecting paintbrush handles and bristles. The fact that it comes in bright colors is a bonus.

Some Examples

I made the top one with a hunk of 1-inch diameter maple branch, red silicone tape, and slices of plastic sheeting. I made the lower one with a piece of oak dowel,  blue silicone tape, and purple embroidery floss.

In these examples, I used quarter-inch dowel handles; the bristles are made with yellow nylon twine and a pink produce bag.

Finally, two more silicone tape paintbrushes. The top paintbrush has a maple branch handle with bristles made of felt strips, and the lower one has leather lacing bristles and a pencil handle.

Materials Needed

You’ll Need:

• Silicone tape (Here’s what I use (Amazon Associate link))
• Materials for handles
• Materials for bristles
• Scissors

Step 1 | Pick Your Handle

You have lots of options. The only fundamental requirement is that your handle should be terrible enough to stand up to young children.

Step 2 | Pick Your Bristles

There are lots of possible bristle options, too–get creative. Generally, you should choose durable materials.

There is, however, something to be said for more fragile materials like blades of grass or maple leaves. Such things won’t stand up to more than a couple of uses, but they add some interest and variety to the act of painting. I recommend using regular masking or duct tape to adhere the bristles to the handle of such temporary brushes since they don’t need the long-lasting strength of silicone tape.

Step 3 | Tape Them Together

The final step in making silicone tape paintbrushes is to use a strip of silicone tape to adhere the bristles to the handle. While making my samples, I found that 5-6 inches of tape per paintbrush is about right. Maybe a bit shorter for small-diameter brushes and longer for larger-diameter brushes.

You’ll need to peel the clear plastic backing off the tape as you wrap it. To ensure the bristles are securely attached, it is vital to stretch the tape a bit as you wrap it.

Silicone Tape Paintbrushes Wrap-Up

After you’ve made a few silicone tape paintbrushes and gotten comfortable with the process, I recommend letting kids in on the fun and allowing them to make paintbrushes to the best of their abilities. The construction process is simple but full of STEM learning opportunities kids will benefit from.

If you let kids give it a go, give them the freedom to choose the materials they want to use, even if you know those items may not work out too well. There’s a lot to learn from a paintbrush that snaps in half the moment it touches paper. Mistakes and failures are good teachers.

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