Just got new brushes; Now what?

[Clearman]

So I just got my first Windsor & Newtons.  Now what?  Is there anything special that should be done before use, or can I just go at it?

[knarthex]

I would rinse them in clear cool water and then start in....

You never want to use hot water, as this may soften the glue inside the ferrule...

[CashWiley]

I always give them a good wash with my Masters brush soap before using them.

[Bruunwald]

I always take my Windsor & Newtons and put them away and never use them because they're so freaking expensive. So that's my advice.

[Mad Jack]

 As Knarthex mentioned, before you use it the first time you should rinse out the bristles gently with water - and brush soap if you have it - then reshape the tip into a point.

The reason for this is that the bristles on a brand new brush are often slightly stiff and lightly stuck together since the bristles have held the same position for however many weeks or months it's been since they left the factory (and some companies actually put stuff on the bristles to hold them together to prevent them from getting bent or separating when they insert the brush into the clear protector or during shipping from the factory). When I get a new brush, I generally rinse it out and do a few practice strokes with it (without paint on it) against my hand or something  to make sure none of the bristles are stiff or clumped together and they snap back into shape and return to a nice point on their own,, then use some brush soap/conditioner on it, then rinse it out again while leaving a bit of the conditioner in it. Then I let it dry for a few hours or until the next day and repeat the process maybe once or twice more before I paint with it the first time.

[ced1106]

I always take my Windsor & Newtons and put them away and never use them because they're so freaking expensive. So that's my advice.

 

Half the reason why I use washes is that I don't need my W&N brushes for them! :D

 

Have some cheap brushes around so you don't have to do everything with your hobby brushes.

 

You'll also want two rinse jars and brush soap (Master's Brush Soap or Pink Soap) for after you use your brushes. Coffee stirring straws are useful as brush protectors.

[Pingo]

A lot of brush companies put a mild water-soluble glue on brushes made with finer hairs to hold them to a point and protect them in transit.

 

I don't know if it's actually the case, but word in art schools long ago was that the glues might also include pesticides to discourage vermin and bugs nibbling on the hairs, which are, after all, a kind of fur.

 

I always give new brushes a gentle wash before use, with brush cleaning soap or a mild bar soap like Ivory, and lukewarm water.

 

Try to store good brushes in a clean, dry dust-free area without pressure on the business end. Laid flat is good. I keep my best brushes rolled up in a bamboo mat, the sort used in making sushi.

[Heisler]

I never do any of that. I go straight to the paint with them.

[Clearman]

Try to store good brushes in a clean, dry dust-free area without pressure on the business end. Laid flat is good. I keep my best brushes rolled up in a bamboo mat, the sort used in making sushi.

 

I've been looking for a way to store/transport brushes, even before I got the W&N's.  I'm going to try this bamboo mat idea!!

 

I always take my Windsor & Newtons and put them away and never use them because they're so freaking expensive. So that's my advice.

 

I feel ya!  Bought six brushes and that put a dent in the hobby budget.

[Lt. Coldfire]

I never do any of that. I go straight to the paint with them.

Same.

[Gadgetman!]

W&N aren't all that expensive, if you buy them at the right place.

( Try Jacksons. Free shipping if you buy just brushes for more than £30)

 

I use PTFE tubing(search for it on eBay. Add the keyword 'Reprap' to find the cheaper stuff) for brush protectors.

It's available in many dimensions and generally have amuch thicker walls, so give a bit better protection, too.

[Harrek]

I use PTFE tubing(search for it on eBay. Add the keyword 'Reprap' to find the cheaper stuff) for brush protectors.

It's available in many dimensions and generally have amuch thicker walls, so give a bit better protection, too.

 

I'll second this.  Found some on eBay and it works VERY well.  Much better than the supplied protector.

[Bruunwald]

W&N aren't all that expensive, if you buy them at the right place.

( Try Jacksons. Free shipping if you buy just brushes for more than £30)

 

I use PTFE tubing(search for it on eBay. Add the keyword 'Reprap' to find the cheaper stuff) for brush protectors.

It's available in many dimensions and generally have amuch thicker walls, so give a bit better protection, too.

Believe me, I get them as cheap as is humanly possible without breaking through the front door of the factory and taking them. They're still expensive.

[Cassu]

The others have given some great tips on starting to use your uber fancy expensive brushes (there is a reason my local art store have their W&N's in a locked glass case behind the counter) but the rest now is just general maintenance.

I don't recommend using your W&N's for things like dry brushing that could easily destroy the bristles, use a cheap brush for that. Also don't leave your brushes sitting bristle-down in your cups of water while painting. Once you've finished using a colour, rinse your brush off in a cup and just place it side-down until you need it again. Sitting the brush with it's weight on the bristles will destroy them faster than you'd like.