Home › Forums › Explore Media › Oil Painting › The Technical Forum › Cleaning dried oil brushes
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October 6, 2018 at 5:24 pm #463017
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
October 6, 2018 at 5:57 pm #708159There 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.
October 6, 2018 at 6:17 pm #708158Master’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)October 6, 2018 at 6:41 pm #708142I 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!October 6, 2018 at 6:53 pm #708149Many here on WC have had success with an overnight soak in Murphy’s Oil Soap….always works for me.
Website: www.artderek.com
DEMONSTRATIONS:https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1363787
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1343600
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1431363October 6, 2018 at 9:34 pm #708133AnonymousI have restored many with soaps like those mentioned, and also with an overnight soaking in Weber’s Turpenoid Natural.
October 7, 2018 at 2:24 am #708143Paint stripper works.
Ron
www.RonaldFrancis.comOctober 7, 2018 at 5:38 am #708153Paint 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.
October 7, 2018 at 7:07 am #708173mine says potassium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate, do i dare use it on soft synthetic brushes?
C&C welcome
October 7, 2018 at 7:31 am #708154mine 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.
October 7, 2018 at 7:50 am #708174thank you!
C&C welcome
October 7, 2018 at 8:25 am #708134AnonymousI have found that paint stripper can cause brushes to swell and distort.
October 7, 2018 at 9:28 am #708135AnonymousThe 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.
October 7, 2018 at 9:37 am #708150I use those “not so perfect brushes” for dry brush and scumble.
Website: www.artderek.com
DEMONSTRATIONS:https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1363787
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1343600
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1431363October 7, 2018 at 10:15 am #708161In 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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