Home Forums Explore Media Oil Painting The Technical Forum Cleaning dried oil brushes

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  • #463017
    jnicholes
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        Hello,

        So, I made a mistake, (or “happy accident” as Bob Ross puts it,) I failed to clean my brushes properly last time I painted. I pulled them out today, and they have dried oil paint on them. I guess I didn’t clean them good enough. Oh well! I guess this is a learning experience for me.

        Is there a way to get the dried paint off these brushes? I can’t paint until I get it off.

        Any help will be appreciated,

        Jared

        #708159
        Humbaba
        Default

            There is a good chance you will have to throw them in the trash.

            Lay them in turpentine for at least 2-3 hours, then rub them vigorously in paper towels or a rag, repeat if necessary.

            If the above method fails, try with acetone, but be careful, only the hair should be soaked in it.

            Third method, try with hot water, again only attack the hair, rub in paper towels or a rag.

            #708158
            Freesail
            Default

                Master’s brush cleaner and preserver has saved a few brushes of mine. I give it a try.

                Solvent = Leaner Oil = Fatter Drawing is the basis of art. A bad painter cannot draw. But one who draws well can always paint. (Arshile Gorky)
                #708142
                kentiessen
                Default

                    I would recommend Masters- cover the bristles in dense soap and keep wet (wrap in plastic film or foil) and let sit a day or so. It will start to soften the paint- carefully flex, scrub, and rinse, and repeat as necessary. If you’re in a hurry, you may use a host of chemicals including auto hand cleaner- but know they will likely shorten the life of the brush.

                    Ken Tiessen

                    www.KenTiessenArt.com
                    Comments or Critiques welcomed...always!

                    #708149
                    Dcam
                    Default

                        Many here on WC have had success with an overnight soak in Murphy’s Oil Soap….always works for me.

                        #708133
                        Anonymous

                            I have restored many with soaps like those mentioned, and also with an overnight soaking in Weber’s Turpenoid Natural.

                            #708143
                            Ron Francis
                            Default

                                Paint stripper works.

                                Ron
                                www.RonaldFrancis.com

                                #708153
                                Gigalot
                                Default

                                    Paint stripper works.

                                    I think, that Paint stripper, based on DimethylFormamide is best advice. If you can’t get such a powerful paint cleaner, then try to soak your brushes in Acetone or Nitrocellulose Lacquer’s solvent. Works just fine. I always use nitro solvent as an emergency brush cleaner.

                                    #708173
                                    ronsu18
                                    Default

                                        mine says potassium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate, do i dare use it on soft synthetic brushes?

                                        C&C welcome

                                        #708154
                                        Gigalot
                                        Default

                                            mine says potassium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate, do i dare use it on soft synthetic brushes?

                                            That potassium hydroxide will destroy natural brush after several seconds you put it into such solution. Synthetic brush can resist potassium hydroxide, but that depends of synthetic polymer, used to make brush hair. To wash artists brushes you need solvent, that can dissolve old paint, but can’t harm natural hair. Potassium hydroxide and Sulfuric acid are not a drug of choice.

                                            #708174
                                            ronsu18
                                            Default

                                                thank you!

                                                C&C welcome

                                                #708134
                                                Anonymous

                                                    I have found that paint stripper can cause brushes to swell and distort.

                                                    #708135
                                                    Anonymous

                                                        The bad thing about letting brushes dry with oil paint in them is that there is dried hard paint that is way up the bristles, near the base of the tuft, next to the ferrule. This hard caked paint is pretty nigh impossible to get out with anything, and you will wind up with restored brushes that are not exactly like new. Flats will become less flat and brighter, brighter brushes get even brighter too.

                                                        #708150
                                                        Dcam
                                                        Default
                                                            #708161
                                                            JCannon
                                                            Default

                                                                In my experience, paint stripper can restore a completely lost brush — hardened with old paint — to SOME usability. It may not be what it originally was, but you will probably find a purpose for it. Don’t keep the brush hairs immersed in stripper too long. Stripper will also remove paint from the wooden handle.

                                                                On a somewhat lower level of desperation, consider W&N’s brush cleaner, which seems to be stronger than its competitors. I sometimes pour a dollop directly atop Master’s Brush Cleaner for some old-fashioned scrubbing.

                                                                Real turpentine is a stronger solvent than OMS, but also more expensive.

                                                                A brush may emerge from its cleaning scraggly and poorly-shaped. Mona Lisa’s Brush Shaper “kinda sorta” works to bring back the point; my results have varied. I think it’s the same stiffener used on many new brushes.

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