Identify each brush part.
First we need to identify the three different parts of your brush – the bristles, the ferrule and the handle. Each will need specific care.
Bristles – These can be both natural or synthetic and each can be cleaned using the same detergent, you just have to be mindful that the cleaning technique will differ. Natural bristles are made from animal hair or fur and care should be taken when cleaning as they are more delicate than synthetic bristles which are usually made from nylon. Synthetic bristles will be more durable and break less.
Ferrule – This is the metal part of the brush that holds the bristles to the handle. This can be cleaned using most cleaning supplies; it is just essential to dry afterwards to avoid corrosion. Lower grade brushes will have thinner metal so take care not to deform this during cleaning.
Handle – The handles are usually made from either painted or varnished wood or hardened plastic. These are the easiest to clean and should be cleaned using wipes as you paint to ensure you don’t get it on yourself.
Clean your brushes as soon as possible.
It can be difficult mentally to clean your brushes straight after painting as it can be a laborious task. However, for the best results this is the recommended procedure as it doesn’t give the paint time to dry, which would require more rigorous cleaning. If you are to leave the paint to dry, it may be too difficult to remove therefore resulting in the brush being thrown away. Sometimes you can soak the brush in soap and water or use cleaning solvents to try and dissolve it, but even then it may be too late.
Identify the paint used.
Correctly identifying the paint is crucial as each paint has its own solvents that are to be used for cleaning.
Water-based paints or acrylics are the easiest to clean as you can simply use soap and warm water as your solvent. You can use regular dishwashing soap or purchase a specialised soap provided by most art manufacturers. This is also the least harsh solvent which will not damage your bristles or your hands as you are cleaning.
Oil-based paints require a stronger solvent to clean which is typically turpentine or some kind of mineral spirit. As these are harsher than water and soap they can, over time, cause brittleness and breakages in the bristles of the brush. A good tip to prevent this is to clean with warm water and soap after the brush has been cleaned with solvents. For this cleaning method you can leave the brush soaking in the solvent or rub it through, take care to wear gloves during this process to protect your hands.
Use the correct technique.
Again another neglected step as having the proper cleaning technique can mean the difference between brushes being damaged or not. It is advised to clean brushes one by one and to perform strokes through the container holding the solvent (whatever the solvent being used). You can also buy specific brush cleaning jars which will separate out the solvent and the paint residue. Avoid pushing down hard on the brush as this will deform or break the bristles causing the brush to perform badly afterwards.
Store your brushes correctly.
Storing your brushes incorrectly can drastically reduce the lifespan of your brushes. Storing them with the bristles facing down can cause them to deform and break deteriorating. Attempt to dry the brushes off as much as possible before storage and ensure the bristles are pointing upwards to preserve their shape. Leaving the brushes wet can also cause the wood to swell, thus damaging the handle. This can also lead to the glue holding the bristles in place to come loose.
Conclusion.
Following these steps will make your life as an artist or live wedding painter easier and will ensure your brushes last as long as possible. It will also save headaches in the future when you come to reuse your brushes. It also saves money which would otherwise be spent on buying replacement brushes. Following the manufacturer’s guide provided with the paint brushes can also give you more specific cleaning procedures not mentioned here.