Paint brushes curling

[nutter]

Hey guys, I don't know if its cuz of how ii paint, or how I wipe my brushes clean but the tips of the my brushes are curling. Any tips on how to fix or prevent would be helpfull.

~Ben

[chumbalaya]

Saliva helps 'em stick together I've found. Lick the tip (bow chicka bow wow) of your index finger, rub your thumb up on it then straighten the bristles out. Probably not the best solution, but certainly the cheapest

[fishboy]

Saliva is actually one of the worse things you can do for your brushes. The acid can break the glue down in the ferrel and cause bristles to fall out and it also eventually dries out the bristles if you are using natural hair bristles. On top of that there are chemicals in the paint that you really do not want to ingest even in small amounts.

Sad part is I still use my mouth to straighten out stray hairs too hehe. Even though I know better.

The bristles curl because of the type of bristle they are. Low cost natural hair bristles tend to curl over time as most hair will. True Sable and Kolinsky brushes are not as bad.

I recommend these brushes. Try them in different sizes but my most common is the 00 round spotter. They are high level brushes that tend to last longer than crap I get at local craft stores and their prices are very good for true Kolinsky Sable.

www.artistsupplysource.com/home.php?cat=253&path=alt

[Krusty (zack)]

and brushes dont last forever... it might just be time to buck up and get some new ones...

[Wolf Lord Snorville]

paintbrushes often curl when you leave them in the cup of water you're useing to clean the brushes off with. don't leave them in the water.

[Smitty]

Sorry this is so late but I also really recommend this stuff for cleaning your brushes. I think this will help prolong the inevitable curling of your brushes.
www.thingyblick.com/products/masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/

[Soleman]

Sept 30, 2010 6:42:44 GMT -5 Smitty said:

Sorry this is so late but I also really recommend this stuff for cleaning your brushes. I think this will help prolong the inevitable curling of your brushes.
www.thingyblick.com/products/masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/

I think the parental filter strikes again! ;D

Sorry, we couldn't find www.thingyblick.com

[Smitty]

Sept 30, 2010 7:45:08 GMT -5 Soleman said:

Sept 30, 2010 6:42:44 GMT -5 Smitty said:

Sorry this is so late but I also really recommend this stuff for cleaning your brushes. I think this will help prolong the inevitable curling of your brushes.
www.thingyblick.com/products/masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/

I think the parental filter strikes again! ;D

Sorry, we couldn't find www.thingyblick.com

Oops I guess so, the stuff is called The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver, you can find it at most art stores.

[Soleman]

That does work good for cleaning and if you take a little and coat the bristles then shape them when you're done, it does a nice job of conditioning as well.

It's relatively inexpensive and a can of it will last a very long time.

[MajorSoB]

I know it should be obvious by now but thingy = D1CK in this case.

As Smitty posted D1CKBLICK is a good internet art supply store, but if you are looking locally you can find brush cleaner and reconditioner at Michaels, Hyatt, A C Moore, and the Art Store. They all have this type of product that acts as a weak hair gel to help stick your bristles back together.

If you are using real hair brushes, you can use shampoo and oddly enough, conditioner on them. Dry them then you can spray them with a light coat of hairspray: while drying point the tip, it works well provided the brush isnt too far gone.

[fishboy]

Never done the hairspray thing but I have done the conditioner and it works when applied to quality brushes (sable hair etc...). My wife caught me washing my brushes with her shampoo and conditioner and thought I was over the top hehe. Wait till she sees me using her hairspray and mouse hehe.

[MajorSoB]

LOL, your wife caught you...as if having a husband that plays with toy soldiers isnt bad enough now you are raiding her beauty products for your army men!

( Trust me I am laughing with you!!!! )

Here is another few tips to piss her off. 1) Use her blush brushes for drybrushes or for applying pigment. 2) Use her blending sponges for weathering tanks. They work great for applying mud and dirt in and around vehicle tracks. 3) Steal her nail polish remover. It works well on stripping metal models. If you need to scrub the paint out of the cracks, use her tooth brush.

Seriously though all these tips work but it is better to ask first or get your own stuff, otherwise your pissed off wife might land you in divorce court after which GW product will be way out of your budget!

[fishboy]

I used one of her hair clips as a rib cage for terrain hehe. I will show you at Da Boyz.

Item number 1-done hehe. Toothbrush and nail polish remover done as well hehe.

Still a good marriage though hehe.

[nycowboy]

I use this: it is great at cleaning and fixing the bristles on my brushes. I found it at Jo-ann fabric for $8 a jar, but amazon is much cheaper. They also have a large tub but the little one is fine and will last a long time.

www.amazon.com/Masters-Brush-Cleaner-Preserver-Ounce/dp/B001TNR7VM/ref=pd_sbs_op_1