TENDER LOVING CARE FOR BRUSHESby Dovia Shuler |
|
|---|---|
| If brushes are stiff and hard, do not bend the bristles. Do not be surprised if the new brush is stiff or hard, rather than soft and fluffy. The brushes from the factory often times have protective coating on the hairs to preserve the shape of the brush. This coating is removed with turpentine for the brush to be used with an oil type paint, or with water for the brush to be used for water based paints. Gently wipe the brush in the proper thinner until all of the coating has disolved and gently dry the brush and put it to use. | |
| CLEANING THE BRUSH AFTER USE | Clean thoroughly with the proper thinner. Blot out the excess and shape the bristles. Either lay flat or stand on the tip of the handle until ready to use again. Never leave a brush to dry in such a manner that the bristles will become misshaped. If the bristles become hard or stiff after the above, simply soak in the proper solvent without bending the hairs, until the bristles are soft again. |
| HARD OR STIFF | NEVER bend the hairs of the brush that is hard
or stiff, as this will break the bristles and the brush
will shed the broken hairs and soon the brush will be
thin and will show wear. Always hold the brush hairs
up off the bottom of any container of solvent so that
the hairs will not become bent or broken. This can be
done by placing a rack to hold the brushes by the
handles, or by the use of a clothes pin to hold the brush
off the bottom of the container. The causes of stiff
or hard bristles are:
A. Brushes not really clean. B.Gummy residue from the solvent. (Turpentine will always leave a gummy residue.) C. Not all of the factory size was removed. D. Dirty solvent. |
| MISSHAPED BRUSHES (USED BRUSHES) | Brush placed where the bristles are allowed to bend and to dry in the bent shape. Improper or no shaping of the brush after cleaning. Leaving the brush in a missaped arrangement at any time, will cause the brush to take on that shape. Remember each brush has a definite shape and it is up to the artist to maintain the original shape of the brush, both during and after use. |
| LONG TERM STORAGE OF BRUSHES | Brushes used for oil base paints: Make sure the brush is very clean. Blot out the solvent and shape the bristles using a NON DRYING OIL. Vaseline is good. Store the brushes standing upright on the handles or in a flat box. To return these brushes to duty, simply soak them in the proper thinner, (turpentine will dissolve the oil) and you are ready to paint. Brushes used for the water base paint: Clean the brush in water several times to be sure they are clean. Dry and shape to store. To return the brush to use, dry and shape in water until the bristles are again soft and pliable. |
| USED BRUSHES | All brushes will shed hairs from "old age" and/ or from misuse. If you have a well used old favorite you will feel sad when it must be retired. Many times the brush may be fairly new, but if you ask the questions, how much use has this brush had? Then you may discover that the brush has served you well after all. Brushes that are no longer serviceable for your finer paintings can be put to use for other hobbies. Worn china brushes often times are great for painting on bisque wares, since bisque is rougher and will wear a new brush quickly. To insure that you do not carry over one type of paint to another, make sure that you clean the brush thoroughly Oil based paint brushes can be cleaned with denatured alcohol, however, this is very harsh and should not be used in your best brushes before the time for retirement. |
| A BAD BRUSH | Few are BAD, many people simply do not use the brush in the manner that brush was designated for. Do buy the type of brush for the type of paint and the type of work you intend to do. Poor care is often the cause of the brush to misbehave and to shed the hairs. If you should pruchase a brush that will not hold its shape after the first time it is use, stop right there and clean that brush and return it to the party you purchased it from, promptly. (Take your sales slip or proof of purchase and the brush with you.) The dealer that you purchased the item from should stand behind it. |
| My addition: Do you know how to purchase a brush? |
After selecting which brush you think you would like-
have the dealer clean out the factory stiffening and
then carefully take the brush and look at which way it
wants to go. Carefully place the brush on a solid
surface and press down carefully and lightly. Does the
brush fan out properly? If so, you probably have the
brush you wanted.
To get the gummy residue out of a brush, soak the brush
overnight in mineral oil, then wash in gently in warm
water with a bit of detergent or hand soap. nebraskalassie |