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BEST PRACTICES FOR BRUSH CARE
Based upon the numerous and varied questions in this group about how to care for brushes, I have outlined our instruction on brush care to attendees of the Painting Best Practices workshop:
• Restrict each brush to a single medium.
• When scrubbing or brushing on a rough surface, use an inexpensive brush.
• Rest brushes on the ferrule, not on the hair.
• Treat synthetic hair brushes the same as natural hair.
• When using solvents, do not immerse up to the ferrule—but it is best to avoid the use of solvents, which are harmful to hairs and the adhesive used in brushes. Instead follow this simple procedure to clean brushes:
• Wipe paint off the brush with a paper towel, from ferrule to tip, before washing.
• Swirl the brush in a brush washer filled with a non-drying, low-viscosity vegetable oil, such as corn oil, canola oil, safflower, oil, etc.
• Wash and reshape your brush using lukewarm water and soap or a brush soap. Use a tooth brush to remove paint from the ferrule to the tip.
• Dry brushes laying flat, except squirrel brushes, which should be dried suspended head down.
• Always dry brushes in the open where air freely circulates to prevent mold.
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4 Replies
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Great recommendations Tatiana, especially like the toothbrush idea. I follow all yr points but sometimes get exuberant and paint ends up at the ferrule. Your toothbrush idea may help me with this. Thanks. BTW I buy safflower oil in large glass bottles from the grocery and it works wonderful for cleaning, then do the soap & water. 🤗
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Jan, please be sure to clean out safflower oil completely before using brush again.
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Absolutely, it is my step just before final soap and water.
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👍
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