I have some old hard paint brushes how do i clean them and straighten out the hairs?

Question

some are oil base some acrylic

Answer 1

I sometimes will take dawn dishwashing detergent, and gently rub it into the bristles, and wrap the brushes in a warm wet paper towel on the counter top for awhile, checking back from time to time. sometimes though, i wish i had all that fussy time spent trying to rescue them , and just bit the bullet to buy new ones. they never do work quite the same as they did before. good luck!

Answer 2

Well everyone above covered the bases. If you free the hairs of paint your in buisness. I little tip I picked up is this. After cleaning the brush I alaways rinse with cold water. For my trophy brushes I like to leave just a bit of soap, then I hang them upside down to dry. Hence gravity once there dry to the touch they look as though you have just purchased them. The soapy ones dry slighty ly hard to the touch but are easily cracked with your fingures or dry brushing your palm or whatever., I like this because it keeps it shape regardless I might not need to use that brush for a x amount of time but when I do I won't pass it up if it's shape is outta wack. NOW!!!! If you can't get your brushes totally clean thats ok actually it's a blessing in disguise. Usally if you take a razor blade and carve away at it like your sharpening a pencil you will find some paint free bristle some where, shape to desired taste and keep them as a custom brush. I have brushes that were once 1" now they have been shaved free of harden paint and used for tiny details say like eyelashes for example. Just try it with one don't even clean just it give it a hair cut.

Answer 3

Depends on how old they are. If they have had paint on them (dried) for more than a week, throw them away and buy new ones. you will never salvage them. However if you so wish to waste time and money, the ones with latex paint on them soak them in water until the paint is soft and can be removed. The ones with acrylic will have to be soaked in paint thinner and this alone will destroy the bristles if left to long. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Good brush cleaner or paint stripper for the type of paint used. Then once they are clean, and while they are still wet reshape them and use saran wrap to hold in place. Allow to dry. You may have to wet & wrap them several times before they hold their original position.

In the future if you use a paint brush and don't have time to clean it, wrap it in foil and stick in the fridge. It won't harden and you can clean it at a later date.

Answer 5

I had this problem before.

Try soaking them in fabric softer for a few days,then use dish soap and water to rub out all the hard paint in your brushes.

Good Luck

Answer 6

oil - soak in turpentine
acrylics soak in warm soapy water

Answer 7

if you can't manage to salvage them you can keep them as scrub brushes...