How Do I Reform My Brush Tips?

[stanly]

This was probably covered in art 101 class about 40yrs ago, but...

I've tried soaking, pinching into shape then letting set to dry.

This doesn't seem to do it permanently.

Seems like some of the new brushes are stiff at first-like some kind of sizing in them?

[HellfireJack]

I read somewhere that after you clean them you grasp the tip between the lips and spin it to help maintain the shape.

[katsass]

This was probably covered in art 101 class about 40yrs ago, but...

I've tried soaking, pinching into shape then letting set to dry.

This doesn't seem to do it permanently.

Seems like some of the new brushes are stiff at first-like some kind of sizing in them?

Can't saty for sure, but my mother (years ago) used to clean a brush then dip it in egg white, form it, and allow to dry and sit for a day or two. Rinse in warm water and dry before using. Mike

[stanly]

HellfireJack Posted Yesterday, 07:20 PM

I read somewhere that after you clean them you grasp the tip between the lips and spin it to help maintain the shape.

Can't saty for sure, but my mother (years ago) used to clean a brush then dip it in egg white, form it, and allow to dry and sit for a day or two. Rinse in warm water and dry before using. Mike

These both seem like good ideas, maybe I should have mentioned brushes very small and some are shaders (flat).

Normally answer might be toss them and get new ones, but even some of the new ones seem to be this way.

Hellfirejack-so what I'm getting is U think it would help if I spun them & spit on brushes.

(I also heard that story about workers who used to put radium dots on watches - guess that didn't make it seem like recommendation)

[HellfireJack]

haha not sure about spitting on them. I believe I read that trick in one of Stohlman's coloring books. It was just a little blurb on maintaining the shape of a brush after cleaning. I believe the lips are used to minimize the pressure on the fibers so they don't dry all clumped together as they would if you used your fingers.

I'll try to find which book it is in for you.

[WinterBear]

They sell cleaning/conditioning/forming cream for brushes. It's usually in a small flan container that looks something like a Kiwi shoepolish can, and is usually only a few dollars for the brand I can find locally. A can lasts me about 3 years, easily.

You work it into a lather in the crease of your palm with a damp brush, then shape the bristles and let the brush dry in an upright position. When you're ready to use the brush, you just rinse it well and away you go.

Baby shampoo or a very mild dishsoap will also do the same trick, but bar soaps and other shampoos/soaps should be avoided as the additives can make the bristles brittle or leave a deposit that is hard to rinse out.

[MADMAX22]

When you are done using them and clean them you have to form them before you set them off to dry. Leaving them missformed and dirty will get what you have.

[Tannin]

I like the egg white idea suggested above. Art retailer & manufacturer Daniel Smith in Seattle/Bellevue, Washington state, sell several products & gizmos for cleaning & drying artists' brushes, including "brush cleaner":

http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-098-010-001

I haven't tried it but their products are generally pretty good - made by artists for artists.