Cleaning and maintaining a point on your brushes.

[Roc]

I know we all have different methods and ways to clean and maintain our brushes,
I think it would be good if we shared with each other our methods.
I usually wash my brushes with dish washing detergent and warm water and to condition them I dip them in olive oil, this makes my brushes last a long time and helps maintain the point.

I asked a brush salesman in AC moore, what is the best way, in his expert opinion, to clean and maintain brushes; he said the best way is to clean them with a mild soap, rinse with warm water, and while still wet rub some sugar on them and put in the freezer until they are to be used again, he stressed that this method helps maintain the point on the brush, I don't know, maybe he was joking, but I think I will give it a try any way.


Cheers
Roc

 

[godfather]

I have read using hair conditioner works well. I wonder if there are different techniques depending on medium oil or acrylic.

 

[thegoodsgt]

I've been using hair conditioner. It also helps to keep one brush for your finest work (using the others for general paint application and blending).

 

[mikec55]

I don't mean to be so dense but when you use the brushes for the 1st time after dipping them in olive oil or conditioner, I'm assuming you have to clean that stuff off the brush & when (or if?) you do, doesn't that do funny things to the point? Oil & conditioner are both of a fairly thick consistency.

 

[Roc]

That is a very good question, actually the olive oil helps the hairs on the brush to stay toghether and maintain the point,if you are an oil painter like me than you don't have to clean the olive oil off, just gently aborb the excess oil with a tissue.

The Romans used olive oil to condition their hair and to make it stay in place.


Cheers
Roc.

 

[KeithP]

I recently started using hair conditioner for my WN #7's...

After dipping in the conditioner, I pinch out the excess and get a nice fine point. And, yes, I do rinse out before the next painting session. It comes off quite easily. Easier, for me, than soap.

I am trying to keep the #7's to a high quality. I started using the WN brush restorer as well. Seems to be helping...

Keith

 

[Opsofficer]

Hi,

After years of using mild liquid detergents, I discovered B& J / "The Master's" Brush Cleaner and Preserver ( I should get paid for this ).

With very warm water it will clean and restore brushes like no other "soap" I've found. Just wet the brush and the soap, swirl/rub the brush around on it, rinse and reapt until no color comes off the brush. If it is dried piant, wet the hairs, then leave it on the brush for a time, rinse, repeat until clean.

You can then lather the brush again, shape it and leave it until your next use. Be sure and strike the brush a few times (on your fingers or a glass, for example)before use to remove the "dust", which is not visible as such, but you know is there. I've used this stuff for about 15 years and have never been disappointed.

Recently I used this to resurrect a $50 Series 7 brush that someone had pushed the plastic cover on without regard to the hairs at all! :angry: But after 4 sessions of: very warm water, shaping on the cleaning cake and with fingers, then allowing to dry, it brought it back to life again with no trace of the "incident"!

 

[Roc]

Justin , welcome to the Planet and thank you for your input, I'll have to try B& J soap, where can you buy it?

Cheers
Roc.

 

[Guy]

I've used B&J soap for 20 years and it has saved many a brush

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I always dip my brush in the thinner before in I dip it in the paint.
By doing this, its easier to clean the brush as the paint wont adhere to the bristles in the shaft as easily.

Now and then I also use yellow soap and hairconditioner. I dip the brush in and let it lay on the desk for an hour or two. Then rince and do the same with the haircondtioner. I always does this when Ive been painting metallics and I keep a separate jar of thinner for metallics.

Cheers

 

[Opsofficer]

Roc,

Thanks for the welcome! Glad to be here.

You can usually find it at Michaels, Hobby Lobby or a good art supply shop.

I've attached a picture (hope I did this right!)

Justin

 

[Opsofficer]

Hmm... trying again... Brush Cleaner

Never bought from here, but it was the first good image I found!

 

[Roc]

Thanks Justin, will have to by some tonight after work.

Cheers

Roc.