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So I just got back into Warhammer 40K, went to the hobbystore and picked up some paints, brushes, etc, and got to painting.By the time Ive barely finished half a model all three of my new brushes are fraying up like crazy. Ive never had this problem before, but its a serious hindrance. I cant get 5 strokes past without having to stick the thing in my mouth again just to get some resemblance of a point.
How the hell do you deal with this? Just buy new brushes?

I got a GW detail brush when I restarted this a couple months back, it hasn't frayed yet. I tend to wash it with water often when painting, and then when I am done for a bit, I don't dry it off fully, I would just wash with water, then use my fingers to squeeze most of it out, also while shaping it to a nice point, and then leaving it.
If you are having problems with this though, there are some proper brush reviving fluids, but I've also heard that you could use a tiny bit of conditioner to bring some life back to the brush.

you aut to keep it very clean.

dont let the paint get into the ferral, and thin your paints.

Get some masters brush soap.

 Desubot wrote:
you aut to keep it very clean.

dont let the paint get into the ferral, and thin your paints.

Get some masters brush soap.

Theyre brand new, so they are clean, and I hardly ever get it into the ferral anyways. Yet, an hour of brushing and theyre all three unusable.
Ill give them another go soon. Heres hoping.

Why not invest in some good Kolinsky Sable brushes? Do a search for brush recommendations here on Dakka Dakka, there's a lot of good data on this.

It sounds like the hobbystore is buying the cheapest, worst brushes they can find and marking them up. What you're describing is down purely to terrible brush quality.

Out of curiosity, what brand of brushes was it?

Jollydevil wrote:
Theyre brand new, so they are clean, and I hardly ever get it into the ferral anyways. Yet, an hour of brushing and theyre all three unusable.
Ill give them another go soon. Heres hoping.

'Hardly Ever' implies that is more than never? ... Brush soap is very very good at getting dried paint out of bristles, and can get much out of the ferrule. Hair conditioner (as in for your head) can be very good at revitalising a brush, and can prolong the life of a still good one.

As a rule of thumb, never do anything to your brushes that would damage your own hairs - as it will also damage the natrual hair of the brush.

All said and done I dont personally rate citadel brushes at all... theyre overall kinda shoddy, and priced as premium.

http://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable/pure-kolinsky-pointed

These cost about the same, and are in a whole other league (just about any brand of kollinsky sables will put citadels brushes to shame)