The document provides tips for caring for acrylic paintbrushes to maximize their lifespan. It recommends: 1) Never letting acrylic paint dry on the brush, 2) Avoiding getting paint on the ferrule, and 3) Not resting the brush bristles-down in water. In an emergency, it suggests quickly rinsing and squeezing out the brush then leaving it resting across a water cup rim. Proper cleaning involves removing excess paint, massaging the brush in warm soapy water, rinsing, then storing the dry brush flat away from heat.
3. Tips to keep your paintbrushes
happy and help them have a long
lifespan:
1. Never let acrylic paint dry on a paintbrush
2. Don’t get paint on the ferrule
3. Don’t rest your paintbrush with bristles down in a cup of
water.
* Best way to rest your paintbrush
McArdle, Thaneeya. "How to Clean a Paintbrush: Lean How to Take Good Care of Your Paintbrush." Art Is Fun. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
4. What to do in an emergency?
• Sometimes the unexpected happens. If there is a sudden emergency
or interruption (the phone ringing) and you need to dash off in a
rush, try to take the extra 10 seconds to do this:
• Quickly swish your paintbrush in water, then squeeze out the excess
paint and water in a paper towel or rag. Then quickly swish it again
in the water and leave it gently resting across the rim of your water
cup.
• This simple procedure can be done in under 10 seconds. This way, if
you are gone for a while, the brush will stand a better chance of
being saved. Leaving it hairs down in a container of water will ruin
it, so why take the chance?
Of course, use common sense though. For example, if your studio is
on fire, save yourself. You can always buy new brushes! That’s an
extreme example, but you know what I mean.
McArdle, Thaneeya. "How to Clean a Paintbrush: Lean How to Take Good Care of Your Paintbrush." Art Is Fun. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
5. Benve, Robie. "Guide to Choosing the Best Paint Brushes for Acrylics and Oils." HubPages. HubPages, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Updated May 20, 2015
1. Remove as much excess wet paint from the brush
as possible, either by rinsing, or wiping with a rag
or other absorbent material.
2. Massage the paint out of the bristles with warm
running water. If the paint started to dry already,
use a stiff brush to loosen and remove any paint
build-up.
3. Wash in soapy water. Massage the brush
thoroughly in warm, not hot, soapy water and
gently kneed the bristles. I like to “brush” circles
on the palm of your hand, making sure the soapy
water penetrates inside the bristle.
4. Rinse and Dry. Rinse and then shake the
remaining water out of the bristles and store the
brush flat, make sure not to bend the bristles.
The storage area should be cool and dry, away
from any sources of heat.
6. Brush Shapes and What They Do:
AOE Supply. "Royal Softgrip Brushes." Brush Shapes and What They Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
