[Bandaid]

Just thought I would pass along a tip on cleaning up brushes with dried water based paint on them. At least it worked for me.

Soak them in "Windex". I let water based polyurethane dry on a bristle brush and it was as hard as a rock. The windex dissolved it and softened the brush right up. There was a few little lumps stuck in the bristles but they came right out with a comb (used my wife's of course lol). Tried it on a couple of brushes that had some acrylic dried up near the ferrule (?) and it removed that as well.

Can't take credit for the idea, but I can't recall where I read about it. Seems to me they said something about the ammonia in the windex that does the trick. Give it a try if the need arises, it might save you a brush or two.

Reg

[decoycarve]

The windex also works great as an airbrush cleaner. I keep a airbrush jar with some windex in it and spray it thru between major color changes and when iI am done for a session. I have also soaked air brush parts in windex when I have forgot to clean an airbrush and paint dries up in it.
Goody

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good Tip, never heard that one!

[Callynne]

Windex cleaner, I'd never have thought of it....hmmmm, what was the movie that the Dad said Windex was the answer for everything....oh, I think it was My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Anyhow, he used it for everything. I going to be trying it on my paint brushes, that's for sure!! Thanks, Reg! Deborah

[Just Carving]

I use to use the Windex with some hot water to break up dried waterproof ink in my Rapidograph drafting pens. I took the pen tip out and dropped it in a cup of Windex and some hot water and in a few minutes the solution was changing color already. It worked better and faster than an ultrasonic cleaner!

[DiamondWillow]

Thanks for the tip on Windex will have to try that also. Always have that around the house.

Another product someone on the Fishcarving2 Yahoo Group mentioned for removing Acrylic paint is "Goof Off" Got some of that and it works really good, even out of clothes. I had a jacket that I painted ??? with Acrylic and it took the paint right out of the jacket. Try in a non visible spot to make sure it doesn't take the color out of the clothes tho....

Gene

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

But Gene? How do you get rid of the "Goof Off", My neighbors a goof off and haven't figured that out yet? LOL

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Windex, interesting, gonna have to try it. Gonna try some household amonia too. If it's the amonia in the Windex that makes it work, the more concentrated household stuff ought to work better. Then again, it may work too good and mess up the brushes. Won't know until I try.

[MDWine]

Ok, way off topic, but WINDEX will also clean your musket!! I use it all the time to clean my black powder shooting firearms!

Squirt, brush, patch, squirt, brush, patch, till the patch comes out clean!

I'll try it on my brushes too!

Thanks!

[DiamondWillow]

Hi Ho

Try spraying Windex on the Goof Off next door.... Windex on muzzleloader now that does sound interesting. Gotta do that yet. Thanks for that tip also.

Gene