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I have been painting since I was 12 years old. I started painting using what I call "paint cups", solo cups with water. Does anyone else do this? Only reason I'm asking is because I'm trying to figure out why my brushes NEVER last me a fething week, literally. No matter what brush or where it's from.

What brushes are you using, how is your water that you're using, what paints are you using, how are you using your brushes, and what cleaning method(s) are you using? Those are the questions that need to be answered to help figure out how to make your brushes last longer, if they are of a quality where that is possible. I assure you, the water cup is not your problem.

It's that Florida hard water and salt air. Just kidding - I'm in Orlando. I've got one Army Painter brush that just won't quit! And I've got a cheap pack of Walmart brushes because of the same thing. My issue of brushes not lasting is from laying down base coats so I use cheap brushes for that part.

boyd wrote:
It's that Florida hard water and salt air. Just kidding - I'm in Orlando. I've got one Army Painter brush that just won't quit! And I've got a cheap pack of Walmart brushes because of the same thing. My issue of brushes not lasting is from laying down base coats so I use cheap brushes for that part.

What is this army brush you speak of and how do I obtain it? Lol because that's my problem I think, I use craft store brushes and Walmart brushes for all things painting, they seem the same to me. Fall apart after not too long. Citadel brushes are the worst but I use their paints.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 SergentSilver wrote:
What brushes are you using, how is your water that you're using, what paints are you using, how are you using your brushes, and what cleaning method(s) are you using? Those are the questions that need to be answered to help figure out how to make your brushes last longer, if they are of a quality where that is possible. I assure you, the water cup is not your problem.

Eh. Alright sarge. I use uh, Walmart brushes, room temp water, I dip my brush in, shake in there ya know? I guess I don't have cleaning methods? OH and I use Citadel paints

 Lord Tarkin wrote:
Eh. Alright sarge. I use uh, Walmart brushes, room temp water, I dip my brush in, shake in there ya know? I guess I don't have cleaning methods? OH and I use Citadel paints

So cheap brushes tend to fall apart fairly quickly, but that's not always the case. Just most of the time. If you use a lot of metallic paints or drybrush, that will also kill your brushes quicker. I recommend cheap/old brushes for those two things. As for water temp, you're fine as long as you don't go too hot and start melting the glue. What I was really asking about is whether your water is hard or soft. On cheap brushes it won't matter much, but it's better to use softer water for better brushes as the micro particles of minerals will add to brush wear similarly to metallic paints, decreasing usable life. Also, when rinsing the brush, make sure not to jam the brush into an edge, just lightly swirl and draw across any raised surface, drying on a paper towel or napkin after to make sure the water coming off the brush is clear. Cleaning after is an important step for keeping quality brushes in good shape. I recommend getting a small pot of brush soap. I'm currently using a brand called "The Masters" Brush Cleaner and Preserver. Bought the small pot with small hand soap pack. Nothing large or super expensive unless you do a ton of painting and plan to buy top quality brushes, but it work wonders for me and is simple to use.

Other than that, my main suggestion would be to get a brush with a finely pointed tip and set that aside for just detail use, using only the very tip. For me, that brush is currently just the latest Citadel Starter Brush to come my way. This time through the Imperium Magazine. No need to go out and buy an expensive detail brush. Just give the chosen brush that extra bit of care, rinsing regularly so that the paint never dries on the brush (even in the middle of a single color if necessary) and always reshaping the tip after each rinsing/washing.

 SergentSilver wrote:

 Lord Tarkin wrote:
Eh. Alright sarge. I use uh, Walmart brushes, room temp water, I dip my brush in, shake in there ya know? I guess I don't have cleaning methods? OH and I use Citadel paints

So cheap brushes tend to fall apart fairly quickly, but that's not always the case. Just most of the time. If you use a lot of metallic paints or drybrush, that will also kill your brushes quicker. I recommend cheap/old brushes for those two things. As for water temp, you're fine as long as you don't go too hot and start melting the glue. What I was really asking about is whether your water is hard or soft. On cheap brushes it won't matter much, but it's better to use softer water for better brushes as the micro particles of minerals will add to brush wear similarly to metallic paints, decreasing usable life. Also, when rinsing the brush, make sure not to jam the brush into an edge, just lightly swirl and draw across any raised surface, drying on a paper towel or napkin after to make sure the water coming off the brush is clear. Cleaning after is an important step for keeping quality brushes in good shape. I recommend getting a small pot of brush soap. I'm currently using a brand called "The Masters" Brush Cleaner and Preserver. Bought the small pot with small hand soap pack. Nothing large or super expensive unless you do a ton of painting and plan to buy top quality brushes, but it work wonders for me and is simple to use.

Other than that, my main suggestion would be to get a brush with a finely pointed tip and set that aside for just detail use, using only the very tip. For me, that brush is currently just the latest Citadel Starter Brush to come my way. This time through the Imperium Magazine. No need to go out and buy an expensive detail brush. Just give the chosen brush that extra bit of care, rinsing regularly so that the paint never dries on the brush (even in the middle of a single color if necessary) and always reshaping the tip after each rinsing/washing.

Thanks for the insight. I'll look into whatever brushes I need here, as well as cleaning supplies. But how do I know if my water soft or hard?

Do you leave the brushes standing in the water tip down? That wrecks brushes pretty quickly apparently.

You have to look after your brushes whilst painting and not painting and everything in between.

Windsor newton cottman 111 round are the best synthetics I have ever uses and if I take care of them they will last a god amount of time. I also use green stuff world brush cleaner and the repair gel on my kolinsky brushes.

Getting paint in the ferule is the quickest way to kill a brush so avoid that. A lot of people won’t use a brush bigger than size 2 but if you watch some of the top painters on YouTube they use bigger brushes, size 6ish, for basing becuase you can get more coverage and more paint in the bottom of the bristles without letting it ride high up to the ferule

 Lord Tarkin wrote:
Thanks for the insight. I'll look into whatever brushes I need here, as well as cleaning supplies. But how do I know if my water soft or hard?

If you have city water or a water softener, it's probably fine. I have a well since I live way out beyond city water pipelines, thus I have a water softener. If you're ever in doubt though, you can usually find gallon jugs of distilled water for less than a dollar at your local super market. Essentially, don't use any water you wouldn't drink, or if you're like me and grew up on well water use whatever comes out of your fridge rather than fill from the tap.

Why are the Brushes ruined exactly? Are the hairs frayed? Are they bent? Are they clogging
?

Brush shampoo may assist to restore some issues. Not enough info here to see if it's just a maintenance issue or something unique to your circumstances.

Perhaps more detail and pics may assist you greatly in getting a solid answer.