Tip for Cleaning Brushes

[AlArchie]

I've found that for cleaning brushes used for acrylic and other water based paints, Mane and Tail Shampoo, found in most tack shops and some pet stores, works great on sable and bristle brushes. Actually it works well on all my brushes but for the natural fiber ones it has a light cleaner and conditioner right in the shampoo. That means the fibers are fasr less likely to dry out and splay after cleaning.

Al

[squbrigg]

Sounds good, and makes sense. I've been using windshield washer fluid on mine, and find it helps but I'm always looking for something more efficient.

Thanks for sharing the tip with us Al.

Bob

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I give mine a good soak with common hair spray which dissolves the paint right out down to the ferrels. Just spray a puddle out on the table then roll your brush back and forth and watch all the crap wash out. Then I use the little tub of artists brush soap I picked up at WalMart years ago to wash out all the remaining residue. Occasionally I'll soak the brush in the hair spray and reform the tip with my fingers until it dries. The stuff will wash right out later.

[susieq]

Lynn, I have to try that..... do you find that your brushes retain their shape after many uses when cleaned that way? The shape of certain brushes are so important...especially my angled shaders. Once they quit holding a chisled edge, they are relagated to lesser jobs, finally ending up as an antique brush before getting tossed.

[hwallen48]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

I've found that for cleaning brushes used for acrylic and other water based paints, Mane and Tail Shampoo, found in most tack shops and some pet stores, works great on sable and bristle brushes. Actually it works well on all my brushes but for the natural fiber ones it has a light cleaner and conditioner right in the shampoo. That means the fibers are fasr less likely to dry out and splay after cleaning.

Al

Al
Thanks for the tip!

[John T]

I had been using artist's brush cleaner (like hand soap) until someone told me to use ordinary liquid dish soap. Which I have now been using for several years now and I have been having great luck with it.I squirt a bit of soap in the palm of my hand with a drop or 2 of water and then run my brush back and forth in it.I do this with new soap 2 or 3 times with each time rinsing it out with water.

[jssgolf]

John T has the secret!! I've painted with oils and acrylics and sometime back two different instructors taught us to use liquid detergent in our palms and work our brushes around and rinse. The only other thing I would add is that we were told to apply a little detergent soap to the brush after cleaning. I do this every time after painting.

[John T]

Jim

When you apply soap to the brush for the last time what happens to the paint the next time you use this brush, does it affect the paint ? I have never done this and maybe I should.
Thanks

[jssgolf]

John, nothing that I have ever noticed. This was a tip given to me from my instructor. It allows you to form the bristles back into shape then it dries overnight. I have been doing this for at least 7-8 years. You don't need much, just a little squirt. jim

[Donna_T]

John,
I usually do the soap trick also. However, unless I'm dry-brushing, I always dip my brush in water (or turp) and blot it before starting to paint. This should remove most of the soap residue, although I've never noticed any effect residual soap has on painting. When I paint, I thin the paint substantially anyway.

Donna_T