3 Things Your Brushes Will Thank You For
Truth be told, I am pretty brutal on my brushes. Acrylics can be tough on paintbrushes to begin with, but factor in little old chaotic me who is often dashing off in the middle of a painting session to check on a crying baby, solve a toddler’s end-of-the-world drama problem, or go to the bathroom because I drank 5 cups of coffee in a span of two hours, and my paintbrushes sometimes sit on the low end of the totem pole when it comes to care.
Over the years, I have bought a lot of paintbrushes and learned the hard way that some of my habits didn’t do them any favors. This has led me to research how to extend their often too short lives and examine what I should do differently. I have come up with a few really simple things that your brushes will thank you for. Here are three things that go hand-in-hand that will prolong your brushes and save you money in the long run.
Don’t allow paint to dry on your brush. Wipe excess paint from your brush on a rag or paper towel. While you are working, keep your brushes wet until you are finished and can thoroughly wash them. Rinse the brush in your container of water without knocking it against the sides of the container. Use your fingers to loosen any paint from deep within the bristles.
Never leave your brushes sitting in a container of water. This follows up tip #1. You are supposed to keep your brushes in water to keep the paint from drying on them, right? Wrong. As paintbrushes sit against the walls or base of a container, the brush head will be be bent or splayed and it will change the shape of your brush.
After you wash your brushes thoroughly, leave them laying flat to dry. Do not put them upright in a container while they are still wet. Water can seep down into the ferrule, which is made of a metal alloy. The water can corrode the ferrule and the handle of the brush if it is made of wood. This can make the brush head and ferrule come loose from the handle and wobble or even fall off.
And that’s it! These are easy things to implement and they won’t cost you a thing except for a little extra time and tender loving care. May your brushes live a long and happy life!