Kavidium Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Ok I'll admit it, I've been horribly bad to all my brushes that i've bought over the past years. I never clean them. I've decided recently to switch brush types from synthetic to sable. Since the sable costs more I also decided I'd take better care of the brushes while I'm at it. There are no directions on the bottle of cleaner that I bought so I don't know what to do with it. (FWIW It's Better Way Brush cleaning Fluid") Is this stuff like a soak cleaner item where you set it in it for 30 minutes or is it like a follow up to water when you dunk your brush in water, you dunk it in this stuff. Do you let it set in it or rinse it with water afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurityThruFire Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Bah! Get yourself some Masters brush soap. Best stuff in the world, imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Bah! Get yourself some Masters brush soap. Best stuff in the world, imho. Agreed, Masters is the way to go. It's like a big block of soap in a tin, rinse your brushes thoroughly, then swirl them on top a couple of times, lather between your fingers and rinse again. I personally follow up with "Mona Lisa Brush Shaper" after every several uses. The brush shaper is kind of like a leave in hair conditioner, dip it and shape it back to what it should be and leave it alone, just rinse well before next use and your good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurityThruFire Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Bah! Get yourself some Masters brush soap. Best stuff in the world, imho. Agreed, Masters is the way to go. It's like a big block of soap in a tin, rinse your brushes thoroughly, then swirl them on top a couple of times, lather between your fingers and rinse again. I personally follow up with "Mona Lisa Brush Shaper" after every several uses. The brush shaper is kind of like a leave in hair conditioner, dip it and shape it back to what it should be and leave it alone, just rinse well before next use and your good. I use to have the Mona Lisa stuff but there is no need for it, simply leave some Masters soap on the brush, form it to a point, let it dry and put it away. The Masters works as a conditioner, and about once a month I also use some of my GF's fancy schmancy hair conditioner on the brushes. Works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghaz Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I'll likewise put my two cents in for the Masters brush soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vutpakdi Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I've not heard of that particular brand of brush cleaner. Hmmm, is the liquid fairly clear and thin (almost like alcohol or water) or more like liquid dish soap? If it's the former (clear and thin), then it's probably the soaking kind, like the Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer. The soaking kind is best for deep cleaning and getting some of the bits of paint out of the ferule. If it's the latter (dish soap), it's probably the type that you place on your brush, paint your finger a few times to work up some latter, and then rinse off. This type is best for daily cleaning. I also prefer the Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver (followed by hair conditioner, rinse, and a bit of Master's for shaping) for daily cleaning and the Winsor & Newton for occasional deep cleaning. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavidium Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share Posted July 19, 2007 If it's the former (clear and thin), then it's probably the soaking kind, like the Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer. The soaking kind is best for deep cleaning and getting some of the bits of paint out of the ferule. Clear and thin so I guess we're going with this is a soaking type. How often would one use this (once a week/month)? I imagion the answer would be difficult to answer based on individual painting habits and the amount of time used on the brush. Would over using this solution damage or weaken the ferule? What about the duration of the soak? 10 minutes/1 hour/over night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vutpakdi Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 One last test for your liquid would be to place some on a rinsed brush and then try to work up a lather by "painting" your finger. No lather points towards the liquid likely being a soaking type. As far as how long to soak, I have no earthly idea. For the Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer, I soak overnight. I'm not going to guess about how long to soak in an unknown liquid of unknown strength. When you do soak, you want to suspend the brush (bristles down but not touching anything) in the liquid, but only up to the ferrule (not beyond the ferrule and onto the handle of the brush itself). I use the Winsor & Newton infrequently, once a month or two. Really, I do recommend that you go to the nearest Hobby Lobby or Michaels (preferably with 40% off coupon in hand) and pick up some Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver (aka Master's brush soap) and use that along with some regular hair conditioner religiously instead of or in addition to your mystery liquid. Ron PS: Hair conditioner only for the sable brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper User Vaitalla Posted July 19, 2007 Reaper User Share Posted July 19, 2007 I use the W&N, but I don't soak. What I do is: Pour puddle of brush cleaner into ceramic palette well or onto ceramic tile Dip brush into puddle On separate section of palette/tile, roll brush back and forth in its own little puddle of cleanser. You'll be holding the brush at an angle so that the bristles splay slightly, but not too much. The rolling back and forth action works the cleanser up into the ferrule. When you see little particles of paint coming out (usually within five or ten seconds of rolling), wipe the brush on a paper towel. Repeat 'till you don't see any little paint grits coming out after a few rolls. Rinse and reform the brush, and you're good to go. I love the Winsor & Newton brush cleaner, it's the only stuff I use. Do be careful not to get any of it on the paint on the brush handle, as it'll strip it right off!! --Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisandra Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I use the Winsor & Newton brush cleaner about once a month if I am painting regularly... and do it similarly to How Anne Recomends.... But I also use masters Soap and the Mona Lisa pink soap for regular care. I used to be bad to my sable brushes So I am still reconditioning some of them. But if It is a soak type read to make sure it doesn't need to be Diluted.... And if it is the strong soak type or paint disolver always use some sort of conditioner afterwords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidedog Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I love the Winsor & Newton brush cleaner, it's the only stuff I use. Do be careful not to get any of it on the paint on the brush handle, as it'll strip it right off!! --Anne Found that one out the hard way, left a brush in it while I did something else and the paint on the brush handle bubbled right up and fell off, oops. Still works OK just feels funny on the fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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