subject: Tips On Cleaning Paint Brushes [print this page] As compared to other kinds of Art Stationery, Acrylic Paint Brushes are one of the most basic and important tools of an artist. A good quality paint brush enables the artist to enjoy the painting and produce great art works as well. Brushes let the painter give life to her/his imagination and make it a source of happiness for the onlookers. Due to the importance of brushes for an artist and for her/his painting, adequate attention needs to be paid for keeping them in good condition. Keeping the brushes clean is the basic and the easiest way of maintaining its quality and ensuring its durability
Ways To Keep Paint Brushes Clean:
Brushes used for normal water color paintings should be cleaned as soon as the work gets done. Keeping the brushes in color for too long tends to shorten their life.
The best way to clean such brushes is to wash them in running cold water.
If the bristles of the brush have hardened because of being kept in the paint for long, then lukewarm water can be used to clean it.
After washing the brush in running water, shake off the excess water. Then wrap a small piece of newspaper on the bristles, leaving the tips open. Tie a rubber band and hang it up to dry the bristles.
Be careful of not leaving the brush in water for too long as that can loosen the bristles.
Brushes used for oil painting and varnishing should be cleaned with a thinner or turpentine oil to remove the paint completely.
Such brushes can also be cleaned with de-natured alcohol or with kerosene oil.
Lacquer brushes can be cleaned with the help of lacquer thinner or acetone.
There are also proper solvents available in the market for cleaning brushes used for oil paintings.
After washing these brushes in the proper solvents, these should also be cleaned with a soft detergent to properly remove all the paint.
Brushes having nylon bristles should never be cleaned with alcohol.
Brushes meant for painting should not be used for other purposes as that can spoil the bristles forever. It will also be tough to clean the paint brushes that have been used for other purposes.
Proper cleaning of the brushes is a sure shot way of enhancing the life of the brushes. It also goes a long way in improving the quality of the art work produced.
