| Louie N | 19 Oct 2020 3:26 p.m. PST |
Hello All, How to you maintain a fine tip on your paint brushes? I have noticed that one thing, a fine tip, vastly improves the quality of work. It does not take long for my brushes to start becoming frayed. Once that starts I do not know any way to save them. Any tips (pun intended) for me. Thanks |
| JimDuncanUK | 19 Oct 2020 3:31 p.m. PST |
Use a good quality brush in the first place. Keep it clean, don't dunk it in the paint. Frequently redo the point. Use brush soap. |
| John Armatys | 19 Oct 2020 4:22 p.m. PST |
What Jim Duncan says, and try to keep paint away from the ferrule. I use Masters brush cleaner and preserver (aka brush soap) – recommended on TMP some years ago, worth every penny. Readily available in the US – auction It _might_ recover a brush which is splaying, and definitely extends the life of brushes if used reegulalry. |
Oberlindes Sol LIC  | 19 Oct 2020 6:46 p.m. PST |
Do what Jim and John recommend. |
| CeruLucifus | 19 Oct 2020 7:58 p.m. PST |
What they said. I also use the Masters brush soap. |
| T Corret | 20 Oct 2020 1:10 a.m. PST |
After using the brush soap, I don't rinse, or dry the soap from the brush. Form the wet hairs into a good point, and let them dry that way. Since I use oils or enamels, I have never had a bubble problem, water-based paints may be different. |
| Waco Joe | 21 Oct 2020 8:38 a.m. PST |
Does anyone still use their lips to point the brush after cleaning? An old habit I have a hard time kicking. |
| bobm1959 | 21 Oct 2020 12:08 p.m. PST |
A lot depends on your technique. If you push paint into those nooks and crannies you'll blunt, splay, bend the brush tip (results according to what sort of brush). If you always pull then you keep the point for much longer. if an habitual pusher then very expensive brushes are a bit of a waste. |
| JimDuncanUK | 21 Oct 2020 2:01 p.m. PST |
Does anyone still use their lips to point the brush after cleaning? Sure, it is the only way. |
| von Schwartz | 22 Oct 2020 5:07 p.m. PST |
Does anyone still use their lips to point the brush after cleaning? An old habit I have a hard time kicking. Yup…sometimes the old ways are the best ways. BTW don't confuse "good quality" with "expensive". I used to spend upwards of $8 USD-$9 per brush, usually the fine detail brushes as I do 15s. They would last 4-6 months depending on useage. Now I can get a pack of 4 really nice quality detail brushes for $4 USD-$6 per pack, and they last 6-8 months! I keep hearing stories about how to get paint out of the ferrule. Unless your painting the ceiling of the Cistine Chapel, i.e. upside down, you should NEVER get paint in the ferrule. Just dip the tip of the brush with enough to brush 2-3 strokes and then load the brush again. Never dip more than 1/4 the length of the bristles into the paint. I just shake the can, bottle, jar vigorously and the use the paint that is inside the lid. That way you can't get that much on the brush. |
