Do you condition fine art paint brushes?

1. 94

   Robie Benveposted 9 years ago

   Do you condition fine art paint brushes?
   
   I paint with oils and acrylics (I keep separate brushes sets) and my oil paint brushes are getting stiff and the bristles are kind of separating.
   I read somewhere that you can apply hair conditioner to fine art brushes to keep them soft.
   Before I mess with it, I was wondering: Is that true? 
   Does it work?
   Any other tips on keeping brushes in shape?
   Thanks

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2. 61

   craftybegoniaposted 9 years ago

   It depends upon what medium you are using. In my opinion, although brushes used to paint with acrylics can be washed with water, they seem to wear out faster than those used for oil painting. You just have to care for all your brushes, period. It's a way to save on your investment!

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   1. 94

      Robie Benveposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Tell me about it!  Sometimes I get huge lazy spells and don't clean the brushes promptly, oh if I regret it afterwards. lol Taking good care of paintbrushes is key, they are the tools that determine the look of the painting. Thanks!

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3. 78

   KevinMillicanposted 9 years ago

   It does help to condition your brushes.  Most fine art brushes are of horse hair, which like human hair, if unconditioned from time to time gets wiry and stiff. If you don't already, it also helps to clean brushes with saddle soap.

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   1. 94

      Robie Benveposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Cleaning paintbrushes with saddle soap?  This is a first, never heard of it. Thanks a lot for the tips KevinMillican.

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   2. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Saddle Soap is very similar to the cleaner I mentioned above and is also a great suggestion!

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4. 94

   cat on a soapboxposted 9 years ago

   In all my years in working with artist's materials, I've never found anything better than The Master's Brush Cleaner for restoring suppleness to stiff and caked paintbrushes. Alcohol will break down acrylic paint build-up as will paint thinner for oils and alkyds, but both are hard on natural bristles.

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5. 47

   nickel12posted 9 years ago

   Yeah, all brusher have to be maintained correctly. You  should clean them with an appropriate liquid. It also has to be done to airbrushes. I always get some maintenance stuff for them from http://www.artistsupplysource.com/categ … rbrushing/ It is vital, I guess

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