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Today I realised that most of my precious paintbrushes don't look too healthy. They're clogged with paint, some of the hairs on the brush itself have dried on the bristles, and so on. So, I made this handy tutorial to help everyone with the same problems give their burshes some love!
Just so everyone knows, I'm not responsible for any potential damage your paintbrushes sutain after following my advice

So, you start out with you paintbrush.



There it is. Bristles full with paint, the handle also full with paint.



Ugh. Disgusting.



Start out by giving the brush a wash of clean water, just to get some loose paint bits away from it.



Then, take some cotton sponges (?), splash some acetone or nail polish remover on it, and start rub bing your paintbrush bristles against it.



The paint will start coming off like so.



Do the same for paint flecks on the brush itself.



See? It works!



Squeaky clean!

If you don't use enamel paints I'd recommend avoiding using solvent on brushes, particularly if they are expensive ones. It can (in some cases) loosen the glue holding the bristles in, and thereby severley shorten the life of the brush.

A gentle clean with soap is likely to be a better bet - I've got a link to a good guide somewhere and I'll try and rootle it out.

...oh, thanks

Sorry, that was kind of a negative post for me to zoom in with after you put so much effort into yours. I had my "try and be helpful" hat on and forgot to check if it might also be my "i'm being a tit to people" hat.

No matter how long i tend to rinse my brushes for there always seems to be a little bit of paint left in my bristles. Will give this a try for sure!

Don't overdo the acetone! Just a damp cotton thing is enough.

It's worth noting that acetone-free polish remover works just as well for this. You can also get polish remover pads that already have the stuff on, I like to keep a pot of them on my desk for brush cleaning and 'instant stripping' if a paintjob goes partially wrong, as it's quicker/cleaner than leaving minis to soak.

Just remember that anything with acetone in can melt plastic, it's why I prefer using acetone-free stuff.

Acetone is an unwise choice for natural hair brushes, since it dries them out. Use it as a shampoo and see what it does to your hair. Also, never use hot water on your brushes. Harsh soaps can damage natural bristle brushes too.

There is a wonderful thing called Masters Brush cleaner, this http://www.dickblick.com/products/the-masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/

Great stuff. Use it, please.

So much win!

Paradigm wrote:It's worth noting that acetone-free polish remover works just as well for this. You can also get polish remover pads that already have the stuff on, I like to keep a pot of them on my desk for brush cleaning and 'instant stripping' if a paintjob goes partially wrong, as it's quicker/cleaner than leaving minis to soak.

Just remember that anything with acetone in can melt plastic, it's why I prefer using acetone-free stuff.

I was unaware they did pads like that. I may have to go out and get some.

As for acetone free stuff, you may still want to be careful with that. I've had 1 or 2 of the (many) minis I've cleaned off come out a little less detailed. Just something to be aware of. Mind I soak mine to strip.

More on-topic: Nice guide! I may have to see if I can clean some of my old brushes like this.

Veering off topic here: any tips on straightening bristles out on the GW brushes? My mum is a bit careless with hers and left them in the cup and they look like a 5-year old stabbed them onto paper. Repeatedly.

Awesome, have to keep your tools clean