Cleaning Acrylic Brushes

[Bob Abrahams]

Oh dear! I left a favourite 15mm acrylic brush out of water and its gone hard with medium.

I cleaned the brush in acetone and its not too bad now, but Acetone is terribly dangerous stuff to hande should use gloves, protective clothing and safty glasses.

Does anyone know of a better/safer way to clean acrylic brushes? May be, I should just throw the brush away next time and not endanger my health

[Mike Retter]

what I do, but I am not master, is cut the end off the brissells with a pair of scissors. I use brushes till they cant brush no more.

[Amanda]

Bob there are a couple of non toxic bursh cleaners that I have used: Dissolv and AS Brush and Hand Cleaner. You rub the brush into it, wipe it off and then wash with soap and water. I use it for oil paint and I have found the od brush that's fallen off my table before being cleaned and have been able to save them...just rub the cleaner in, leave for a while, wipe and wash out...repeat if necessary.

[Helm]

I have to get me some of that cleaner! Though some I've had just bits dry in it, and I've kinda liked the brush for bits and pieces of specific painting, but some, alas, I would rather restore to their original (or at least flexible) condition.

[Bob Abrahams]

Bob there are a couple of non toxic bursh cleaners that I have used: Dissolv and AS Brush and Hand Cleaner. You rub the brush into it, wipe it off and then wash with soap and water. I use it for oil paint and I have found the od brush that's fallen off my table before being cleaned and have been able to save them...just rub the cleaner in, leave for a while, wipe and wash out...repeat if necessary.

Amanda
Thanks for that I have used those products successfully with oils, but not acrylics. I will try them

[Judy]

I soaked a paint-hardened bristle brush in water for 2 days then used an old toothbrush to gently lift the paint off.

[Lily]

Ive done what Judy does.....soak it for a few days...and most of the paint loosens enough to peel away.

Then any left on the brush i have scrubbed off with dishwashing liquid and water.

[brid]

I use tea tree oil..... soak the brush in that and wash it out with dish washing liquid. Great for when you have a bad cold!!

[Amanda]

I have to get me some of that cleaner! Though some I've had just bits dry in it, and I've kinda liked the brush for bits and pieces of specific painting, but some, alas, I would rather restore to their original (or at least flexible) condition.

Yes I have some really old ratty brushes that come in really handy for a couple of quite specific things...one I have the glued together bristles come out of the metal bit that's supposed to hold the bristles to the handles every time that I clean it and I just shove it back in. I've been using this particular brush for about 8 years...most of the rest though get turned over about once a year as most of my painting can't be done with manky brushes.

[Mike Retter]

never underesteimate bashing a brush downwards in a bathroom sink under water!

[Helm]

never underesteimate bashing a brush downwards in a bathroom sink under water!

yep that is a popular one for me Mike heheh esp with my gesso brush

[Bob Abrahams]

I found this interesting article on the web

Brush Cleaning Tips
Featured Tips from the Judsons Art Outfitters Almanac #6 By Monica Esposito

http://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/19909/3fd3b53c4234c9339d0c32f0bb8b4a13/image/jpeg

Don't let your brushes soak in solvent or water for a long period of time, the solvent or water can seep into the ferrule and weaken the glue holding the bristles in place.
Don't strike your paint brushes against a surface to shake the pigment out (when cleaning). Striking the brush can damage the ferrule and cause bristles to fall out.
For hardened paint on brushes, clean by soaking in a pot with distilled vinegar for an hour, then proceeding to bring the pot of vinegar to a simmer until the brushes are clean. Rinse brushes in warm water afterwards.
Never allow a brush to stand or be stored standing on its tip. The tip will become malformed and will not apply paint evenly.
For a malformed brush tip: soak the tip in a brush conditioner, shape the tip and wrap in butcher paper overnight to hold the shape. The tip should be reformed by morning.
Synthetic bristles can be restored by placing the brush in hot, but not boiling, water. Be aware that nylon bristles can dissolve in such solvents as acetone.
Watercolor brushes need to be washed in gentle soap and warm (not hot) water. Anything you would feel comfortable washing your own hair with is good enough to use for your watercolor brushes.

[V-Mak]

Bob...thanks for sharing...some useful information there !!!

[sweetmango]

I like the vinegar one, nice and natural :)

[Helm]

good stuff, yep the vinegar and hot water ones will be stored in my memory cells for later usage.