When you are creating your next masterpiece, make sure that you use the right paint brushes! If you run out of brush hairs or cleaning solutions, you can still create great art!
Acrylic is one of the most popular painting mediums due to its durability and ease in mixing colors. However, when working with acrylic paints, it is important to have adequate supplies!
This article will talk about some easy ways to maintain and clean your acrylic paint brushes.
Paper towels
Many artists use paper towels to clean their acrylic paint brushes. This is because they are an inexpensive alternative that works just as well if not better than using soft, washable cloths.
Most of these paper towels have microfiber filters in them which help remove excess dirt and grime while also protecting your hands from getting dirty. Some even have antimicrobial agents in them to prevent infections!
These can be dried off easily and do not require washing or sterilizing. They are also more durable than normal paper towels since they are thicker and less porous.
Cleaning spray
A very popular way to clean acrylic paint brushes is using a cleaning sprays or gel cleansers. These are typically found in any large art supply store or online shop dedicated to all things artistic.
The best ones contain glycerin, alcohol, and trisodium phosphate. Glycerin is a natural compound that acts as a solvent for most substances including water. Alcohol removes dirt and grime while breaking down some of the materials used to make the brush. And trisodium phosphate (or TSP) works by reacting with metals suchas iron or copper which would otherwise cause the brush to stick together.
These three components work together to remove excess residue off of the brush and also help restore the glue to its original state. It is important to rinse the brush thoroughly until no trace of the cleaner is seen running off of it.
Oil paint remover
For all of your painting needs, whether you are in the process of cleaning out old materials or starting from scratch, there is an oil-based cleaner that works well. This product comes in liquid form and can be mixed with water to use as a washable cleanser.
Many artists and art collectors have this products so trust me when I say that it does not cost much! You do need to make sure that you are using an appropriate amount for your brushes, however.
There are two main ingredients in the oil paint remover – benzine and alcohol. The ratio of these chemicals should be adjusted depending on the size of the brush being cleaned.
For example, if taking away more than 50% of the moisture content will remove heavy layers of glaze, then use less benzene relative to alcohol. Conversely, if just removing surface layer coating will take away some of the texture and shape, add more benzene to boost cleanliness.
General tips: remember that both benzene and alcohol are volatile substances, which means they will evaporate. Make sure to mix them properly and test a small area on a dry brush to see how it removes without leaving any residue.
Paste or gel
A paste is typically made of flour, water, and cream of tartar (a chemical found in vinegar). When mixed together, these three components are solidified into a consistency similar to peanut butter.
The cream of tartar acts as an abrasive that helps remove dried paint from the brush. It also aids in restoring the natural resilience of the bristle used to apply the paint.
You can use the paste directly onto your acrylic painting brushes, or you can prepare it first in a container like a mixing bowl or pot before applying it to the brush.
Just make sure to wash and rinse the mixture thoroughly after using it so there are no leftover traces of powder left over health issues.
Comb or toothbrush
When you are preparing to wash your acrylic paint brushes, what kind of brush cleaner you use makes a big difference! There are two main types of brush cleaners- dry and wet.
Dry brush cleaning is when you simply open up the cap of the brush cleaner and spread it across the bristles. Then, turn the brush upside down and shake off the excess. This removes most all sorts of residue that could remain stuck to the brush.
Wet brush cleaning is where you mix the brush cleaner with water and apply this onto the brush. Let the brush soak in for an amount of time depending on the size of the brush and how thickly painted the brush is.
Some people like to do both because they feel that each one works better than the other.