Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Real Help for "Ruined" Brushes - the Secret Revealed!!!

I cannot believe that this actually worked! I wish I had a before and after picture, but I didn't take a before picture, because I really didn't expect much from this... but it really does work! 

I had 5 brushes that had hairs that were splayed out from the main body of hairs at angles of 45 degrees or more. They were so useless that I had actually bought replacements for 2 of them, thinking "Well, they are about 12 years old, after all. I guess I can't expect brushes to last forever... I will now use them for, hmmmm, nope - won't work for anything except maybe, hmmm... can't think of one thing I can use these brushes for!" Then I read of a very simple help for this kind of a "ruined" brush that would bring all those unruly brush hairs back into line, creating a beautiful sharp tip for rounds, and a chisel edge for flats. 

The secret? Put a pot of water on your stove and bring it to a boil. While it is boiling, swish your brush hairs in the water (try not to immerse the ferrule, as this is where the glue is which holds your brush hairs together). Bring the brush out of the water, and when cool enough, form the sharp point or chisel edge. Leave to dry (upright of course) and voila! Your brush hairs are all standing at attention, together again!

How simple is that? Hope this helps some of you out there in these tough economic times. No need to buy new - just a few moments to recapture what was thought of as useless! Now back to some happy painting with renewed and reusable brushes. :-)


7 comments:

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Noticed your name in a comment in Carol Carter's blog and as I am known as Joannie thought we should get together. Then when I saw the title of your blog, we had another thing in common - love of painting plant life. So glad I came over, as I have many of those delapidated brushes knocking about in jam jars - so easy I'm off to the kitchen to revive them all. Enjoyed your other posts and congratulate you on your bravery of changing your life.

Cynthia said...

Hahaha, when I logged on I thought the title of this post was "Real help for ruined BUSHES". I couldn't understand why you were all of a sudden giving gardening advice on your art blog, but I thought "what the hey..." So I continued reading, all the while substituting the word bushes for brushes in my brain.... Oh dear, why would she think putting your dead plants in boiling water would help in any way??? Hahaha! Needless to say I eventually figured it out. :o)

Unknown said...

Hi Joannie! So nice to meet you. I hope your brushes respond to the hot bath as well as mine did! Thanks for the visit and your comments. I am off to visit your blog now to see the plant life that you have painted...

Unknown said...

*choke* *gasp* *laugh, gafaaw, snort* Can you hear me laughing so loudly that the neighbourhood is bothered???? Oh Cynthia! Only you would be so honest to admit your tiny mistake... and make me laugh so hard that I cried! I am not sure how boiling water would revive ruined bushes, but perhaps someone has tried it! You're the best. girl!

Michelle Wiebe said...

I have never heard of this! I'm assuming that it only works on non-synthetic brushes?

I will have to take that tip for a spin. Thanks for experimenting!

Unknown said...

Thanks Michelle for pointing that out... yes, it will not work on synthetic brushes. Once they are splayed, they are truly toast. But for your natural hair brushes, this is the trick!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to remember this tip for if and when I ever pick up a paint brush. ;-)

Paz