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Best Way to Clean Brushes???

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Dan

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Feb 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/23/00
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cr...@earthlink.net wrote:

> Over the years I swished the brush around in a glass of thinner, wiped
> them clean with a rag with thinner.
>
> What's the best way??
>
> Craig

This is what I've done to clean brushes used with enamels, with good
success.

1. Swish brush in thinner, including the ferrule.

2. Wash brush in warm water and mild dishwashing liquid, "painting" soap
onto my hand which was held under water.

3. Rinse the brush thoroughly.

4. Dip the brush in a *little* soap and roll it around until I've made
the appropriate point with the bristles.

5. Put it carefully away.

Same applies to acrylics - though I wash the brushes in enamel thinner or
ammonia, depending on the brand of paint I've used.

HTH,

Dan

cr...@earthlink.net

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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Rufus T Firefly

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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Sounds to me like you already found it. At least that's the way I've done
it for over 40 years. Worst thing that's happend is some of the brushes
finish on the handles came off.

--
Mike ( Anti Spam Address )

"Opportunites are spawned from crisis"
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Mike

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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cr...@earthlink.net wrote:
>
> Over the years I swished the brush around in a glass of thinner, wiped
> them clean with a rag with thinner.

Works for me, I keep two jars, one removes the bulk of the paint and
the second has fresh thinner in it and acts like a rinse. I wipe them
down(lightly) on a cotton rag but I don't use any thinner on it. Just
don't leave the brushes in the jar, it wrecks the bristles. I also use
spit to coat the bristles so that the brush retains it's shape.

--
Mike Dougherty
Toronto, Ont.
Canada
IPMS C4928
low guy on the pole at
IPMS/"Buzz" Beurling
http://HedgehogHollow.COM/ipms/

Andrew McGibbon

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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Being an artist I have spent some serious dough on watercolor brushes in
the past so I have a little experience in keeping them clean and making
them last. With nylon hair brushes it doesn't matter so much how you
clean them however if you use natural hair brushes cleaning them with
solvent removes the natural oils in the hairs this oil must be replaced
or it will severely shorten the life of the brush the hairs will dry out
and break, fall out or no longer come to a fine point when wet. Since
you must use solvent to remove enamel then you should wash the solvent
out with a soap that contains oil. Dish soap or laundry is a definite
no-no you can buy brush cleaner in a little cake at artist and craft
stores that costs too much or you can use Saddle soap in a big tin for
about a buck and a quarter. I still have watercolor brushes I bought
when I was in college in 1989 because I always clean them this way. It
doesn't matter what you use them in a good sable brush (highly
recommend) should last you at least 10 years. When storing brushes you
obviously don't store them resting on their bristles but the opposite is
also incorrect (bristle up) The water remaining in brush will seep down
into the ferrule and over time will rot the glue that holds the bristles
in. The correct way to store them is horizontally. I know all this
sounds anal retentive, but when you use the same brush for a long time
you know exactly how it will perform and you become better and better at
using it and any thing that can extend that is well worth the trouble.

Drew

Crapologist

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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> I also use
>spit to coat the bristles so that the brush retains it's shape.

Hey Mike!
Who makes this spit you use for a brush preservative?
Where can I order some on line?
Can you send me an extensive list of hobby shops in this hemisphere that carry
it?
Cheers!8^)

Keeper of too much crap...

Crapologist

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Feb 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/24/00
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By using a spring clothespin you can suspend the brush in the jar without
impacting the bristles. This comes in handy when you want to soak a well used
brush for ten minutes or so
HTH

Mike

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Feb 25, 2000, 3:00:00 AM2/25/00
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Crapologist wrote:
>

> Hey Mike!
> Who makes this spit you use for a brush preservative?
> Where can I order some on line?
> Can you send me an extensive list of hobby shops in this hemisphere that carry
> it?

Send me money($5 per 100ml) and I'll get it right to you, just give me
time for large quantity orders.;)

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