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I paint my pm stuff with acrylics and use acrylic brushes. After painting, I soak them in water, then rinse thoroughly, but after some uses the upper part of the bristles become stiff. I wonder if I'm using bad brushes or not cleaning them properly.
Thanks for any input.
Elsa
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I had that problem until I learned to clean the brushes more thoroughly. I have a jar of water and Windex that I keep the brushes in until I clean them. Then, when I clean them at the sink I wash them under a strong stream and be sure that the water jet reaches up under the metal part of the brush base because that is where the paint tends to collect.
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Thanks, Sebrink. I've suspected I'm not cleaning them propery. The Windex sounds like a good idea. Can you tell what ratios you use?
Glad I'm not the only one with this problem!
Elsa
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A couple of other things to think about.... make sure you keep your brushes in water until you clean them. I teach classes and find that my students are in the habit of laying brushes down on the table instead of placing them back in the water. If you work with acrylics, the paint starts drying on your bristles very quickly. Also, be careful to keep the paint only on the ends of the bristles and not let it reach clear to the ferral, paint can dry in this area and when dry will change the shape of your brush. Here is a link that talks about brush cleaning www.davidadamsonline.com/newsletter_brush_care.htm
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A tip that I learned from my watercolor teacher: Mix a bit of Ivory soap (or any other 'pure' soap with the fewest additives, NOT detergent) with some water, and work the brush around in it, then squeeze out all the excess (don't rinse) before you dip your brush in the paint. When it's time to wash the brushes, that paint that has worked up in the tight area near the ferrule, the tiny bit of soap that remains in the brush will help the brush get cleaner after use. Use this technique every time you paint.
Also, if you're involved in a time-consuming paint job with the same brush(es), stop when you see the brush is getting full of paint and clean it. Then work a bit of soap into it again, and continue.
Sue
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Great advice from all. Thank you!
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I ended up buying a bottle of Windsor & Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer for acrylic and oil paints. It's a bit expensive ($11 US for 16 fl. oz.). After soaking overnight you have to remove paint residue, which has become glutinous, with a nail brush or other tough-bristled brush and wash brushes with soap. It seems to do the trick. Also, it claims to be non-toxic and biodegradable and doesn't exude noxious fumes, which is a good thing in the very small space where I work.
Best to all,
Elsa
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