Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking on an affiliate link, Nevue Fine Art Marketing may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships include, but are not limited to, Bluehost, Tailwind, Skimlinks, SareASale and StudioPress. To learn more visit Affiliate Link Disclosure Policy
12 Tips On How To Fix Paint Brushes
There is no better feeling than painting with a new paint brush.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to afford new brushes for every new project you start?
Even though painting with new brushes is something every painter enjoys, the costs can add up quickly, eating up a painting’s profits.
Dirty brushes that have lost their shape are useless to painters, but you can keep your brushes as clean as new with some simple tips.
In today’s post, I will talk about how to fix paint brushes that are worn out.
Do Paint Brushes Wear Out
No matter how well you look after your paint brushes they will eventually start to wear out.
The brush’s friction on paper or canvas will start to damage the bristols, which will affect the mark making it once could produce.
It is time to replace your brushes when:
- The point of the brush is missing
- Losses it’s spring and becomes unresponsive
- Becomes bald or has stray hairs
- It creates jagged lines
How Long Can A Paint Brush Last
With proper maintenance, the lifespan of your brushes will be longer than you thought possible.
Dried paint on the bristols and the paintbrush’s quality are the main reasons they will become unusable quicker.
How To Fix Paint Brushes That Are Worn Out
- There are going to be times when you do not have the time to clean your brushes properly.
- Before you throw them out, try these tips to bring your favorite brushes back to life.
- Do not let acrylic paint dry on the brush. The paint is not soluble when dry.
- Avoid using dish soap or aggressive soap for cleaning your brushes, instead, use a mild detergent. Below is a list of the best brush cleaners
- Start by getting most of the paint of the brush off with warm water and a paper towel before using soap.
- Clean your brushes with warm soapy water. Repeat the rinsing process until you get all of the brush’s soap off, and the water runs clear.
- Now and then, soak your brushes in fabric softener to restore the softness of the bushes. Be sure to remove all of the fabric softeners with warm water before storing them.
- Don’t let your bushes sit in water for long periods. Doing so will damage the bristols and bend the tip of the brush.
- Do not leave your brushes resting on their heads; instead, use a brush holder like Masterson Sta-New Brush Holder.
- Make sure you get all of the paint off near the ferrule of the brush. The dried paint near the ferrule will make the bristols separate.
- Dry the brush gently with a paper towel or dry rag.
- Lay the brush flat after cleaning the brush.
Best Cleaners For Cleaning Brushes
As I mentioned earlier, you can use a mild soap to clean your brushes, but a small investment for brush cleaners will help keep your expensive brushes as good as new.
- The Master Brush Cleaner And Preserver
- Chelsea Classical Studio Brush Cleaners
- Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner And Restorer
- Bristle Magic Brush Cleaner
- Pink Soap Artist Brush Cleaner
How To Restore Paint Brushes
This video from Paintastic arts will show you how you can bring a brush that has bent or strayed bristols back to life.
Best Acrylic Paint Brushes
- Winsor & Newton Monarch Acrylic Paint Brushes
- Da Vinci Acrylic Paint Brushes
- Loew Cornell Golden Taklon
- Royal & Langnickel Acrylic Paint Brushes
Final Thoughts For How To Fix Paint Brushes
Painting supplies are expensive, and paint brush bristles will get frayed and frazzled over time.
Investing in high-quality paint brushes like the ones mentioned above and properly caring and cleaning your brushes with brush cleaners will make them last a long time.
Make it a good habit to wash and rinse your brushes when your work is done.
Boiling water can restore damaged used brushes like shown in the video, but you will have better luck if you care for them properly.
Would you like to learn how to build a blog that generated over $15,000 a month?
Debbie Gartner explains exactly how she created a blog that makes her six figures a year.
- Easy On-Page SEO (For Beginners)
- Easy Backlinks For SEO
- Google Analytics Easy As 1,2,3
- Blog Income Recovery
Check out this eBook to learn how to be more effective with your keyword research, Get Your Keywords Together: How To Do Keyword Research With Only Free Tools.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
- How to Overcome Self-Doubt for Artists (Imposter Syndrome)
- How To Seal Oil Pastel Paintings
- 10 Time-Saving Hacks Every Artist Should Know
- Unveiling the Secrets of Encaustic Painting: Unlock Your Artistic Journey
- Unleash Your Creativity on the Go: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Art Kits
The form you have selected does not exist.
Popular Art Marketing And Sales Tutorials
Below are some of the most famous art marketing courses that will grow your online art business:
Most Popular – How to Make a Living Selling What You Make by Megan Auman
Most Popular – Build a Successful Creative Blog by April Bowles-Olin
How to Build a Business While Learning Your Craft by Megan Auman
Pinterest Marketing for Makers & Designers by Megan Auman
You can also join me on:
Learn how to start, grow, and monetize your online art business.
Art Business eBooks
Art Business Workbooks