[Lynn O. Doughty]

I have no doubt that Vicki's system works fine. However, I've found one of the best things around to clean your brush is your wife's can of hairspray. Don't believe me? Okay....spray a little puddle out on the table and then get your brush into it and start rolling it around. Whatever there is in that ozone-hole creating stuff really gets down into the ferrel of that brush and drags out crusted paint.

Once you get the stuff out wash your brush with some dish detergent, rinse and once the excess water is squeezed out, dip it back into some clean hairspray and shape it. The stuff will dry, just like it does on your honey's locks, and hold the tip to a point till you need it again. A dip in the water tub and a quick rinse and you're ready to go. Works every time.

[millhoused]

Lynn,

Thanks for the tip.
My brushes should last much longer now.

You are just a wealth of good information.

I started trying out "old reliable" yesterday. So far I am impressed and it is much more comfortable on my hands.

Thanks a bunch,
Don

[BobD]

That's why I moved it out of the thread discussing the brush cleaning article we put together. It deserved it's own thread!

Lynn...quick question. I know some types of hairspray are considered a "hair lacquer"....do you avoid those types? I ask because my wife uses those types, which are usually really cheap, as an inexpensive fixitive for pastel work...

Bob

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The cheaper the better. If you can find some of that stuff they used back in the "Big Hair" days of the 60's and 70's it will probably suck the paint out of your brush before you even spray it. The Lacquer is the key ingredient. It amazes me that while it disolves paint it doesn't seem to bother hair. One thing that I would add to making your brushes last is to start out with the better quality brush. I use sable and while they cost a lot more than the WalMart specials they hold lots of paint and take a lot of abuse while still holding the point.

[Mottles]

Lynn are you talking about oil base paints or acrylic?
For oil base paints I like to use---now don't laugh until you try it---' Oil'
Cleans your brushes and conditions them too. Smells really nice also.
You can clean your hand with it too.
I found after painting in oils all day using turps just dried out my brushes and skin. Then, there was the smell, even the ordorless.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that into the mix.
Kathy

[Lynn O. Doughty]

While I do not use oil paint I imagine it would work as long as it wasn't completely hardened. I have taken larger brushes that had paint buildup up close to the ferrel and soaked them in Lacquer thinner overnight and then combed the crud out. As I spend a little extra to buy a natural bristle or hair brush it's worth the effort to use them as long as possible.

I use a Porter 1"chisel tipped cutting brush when varnishing my pieces and when I'm through cleaning it with mineral spirits I use a brush spinner to get rid of as much as the cleaning agent as possible. I then put the brush back into the little cardboard case it came in and it stays as neat and sharp edged as the day I brought it home from the store.

[Mottles]

While I do not use oil paint I imagine it would work as long as it wasn't completely hardened.

Yes, Lynn that would only apply to freshly used oil paint on brushes. Not, oil paint that has dried or collected over a peroid of time.
I have brushes for each medium I use, I don't mix them.
Kathy