Maintaining natural bristle brushes is an important step to ensure their performance and service life. The following are some detailed maintenance methods:
First, clean the brush
Choose the appropriate washing products
Use mild detergents, such as professional scrubbing liquid, mild shampoo or body wash. Avoid using alcohol-containing or overly alkaline cleaners, as these may damage the natural hair quality.
The correct cleaning steps
Prepare warm water: Use warm water at approximately 30°C to avoid damaging the bristles due to water that is too hot or too cold.
Wet the bristles: Gently soak the bristles to prevent water from coming into contact with the handle to avoid delamination.
Apply detergent: Take an appropriate amount of detergent and apply it to the bristles of the brush. Gently rub to produce foam.
Rinse the bristles: Rinse the bristles repeatedly with clean water until all the foam is completely washed away.
Absorb the moisture: Gently press the bristles with a clean paper towel or towel to absorb the excess moisture. Be careful not to suck against the direction of the bristles to avoid damaging the quality of the bristles.
Dry the painting brush
Straighten the bristles and hang or lay the brush head down in a cool and well-ventilated place to air dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight or high-temperature drying to prevent the bristles from deforming or being damaged.
Second, daily maintenance
Preparation before use
Before using a newly purchased natural bristle brush, you can first remove the loose bristles with a steel comb, then rinse it with clean water and let it dry to ensure that the bristles are clean and smooth.
Cleaning after use
After each use, gently wipe off the remaining paint on the bristles with a paper towel or cotton pad in time to prevent the paint from drying on the bristles and affecting the next use.
Storage environment
Store the brush in a dry and well-ventilated place, avoiding damp and high-temperature environments to prevent the bristles from getting moldy or deformed.
Brush sleeves or boxes can be used to store the brushes to protect the bristles from external damage.
Regular maintenance
For frequently used brushes, regular deep cleaning and maintenance can be carried out to extend their service life.
For the brushes on solid wood handles, it is advisable to apply wood care oil regularly to maintain the luster and durability of the handles.
Third, precautions
Avoid excessive cleaning
Natural bristle brushes do not need to be cleaned frequently. Excessive cleaning can damage the bristles. Generally speaking, depending on the frequency of use and the type of pigment, it is sufficient to clean it once a month or once more frequently.
Use gently
During the painting process, use the brush as gently as possible to avoid excessive force that may cause the bristles to split or fall out.
Avoid mixing pigments
Try to avoid mixing different types of paints on the same brush to prevent chemical reactions between the paints, which may damage the bristles or affect the picture quality.
By following the above maintenance methods, you can ensure the performance and service life of the natural brush, making your paintings more outstanding.