The maintenance of oil brushes is an important link to ensure that the brushes remain in good condition and extend the service life. The following are some specific methods and suggestions on the maintenance of oil brushes:
First, timely cleaning
Short-term not use: If you do not use oil brushes in a short period of time, you should use cloth or paper to erase the residual paint on the brush in time to avoid the difficulty of cleaning the paint after drying.
Thorough cleaning: Brush should be thoroughly cleaned with turpentine or a special brush cleaner as soon as possible after use. Turpentine is a commonly used cleaning agent, but it should be noted that its volatility is strong, and it needs to be ventilated when used. Specialized brush cleaners usually have better cleaning results and milder ingredients.
Cleaning steps: First wipe off the excess paint with a paper towel or rag, and then soak the brush in the cleaning agent gently stir, so that the pen bristles fully contact the cleaning agent. Then rinse with clean water until the water is clear. Finally, gently blot the bristles with a paper towel or dry cloth and lay the brush flat to dry.
Second, avoid excessive cleaning
When cleaning the brush, avoid over-cleaning to avoid damaging the brush bristles. In order to pursue the ultimate cleanliness, some painters will repeatedly clean the brush, and even brush the pen hair, which is easy to lead to the loss of the pen hair and affect the service life.
Third, proper storage
Storage environment: After cleaning, the brush should be placed in a dry and ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. At the same time, avoid the brush being squeezed and rubbed, so as not to damage the pen bristles.
Protective oil: If you need to preserve your brush for a long time, apply a thin layer of protective oil (such as olive oil) to the bristles to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
Fourth, correct use
Avoid mixing: Different kinds of oil brushes have different characteristics and uses, should avoid mixing, especially hard brush and soft brush to be used separately, in order to extend the life of the brush and maintain the best creation state.
Use tips: In the process of use, attention should be paid to avoid the tip of the pen being inserted downward in the pen washing case for a long time, so as to avoid the tip bending and deformation. At the same time, the appropriate brush type and material should be selected according to the painting needs.
Fifth, regular inspection and repair
Check condition: Check the condition of the oil brush regularly. If the brush hair is found to be falling off, split or deformed, it should be repaired in time. You can use a special brush repair tool or consult a professional to repair.
Replace aging brushes: Any item has a life cycle, and oil brushes are no exception. When the brush is seriously aging and cannot be repaired, a new brush should be replaced in time to maintain the best creative effect.
To sum up, the maintenance of oil brushes requires us to start from many aspects such as cleaning, preservation, use, inspection and repair, and extend the service life of the brushes and maintain their good painting performance through meticulous maintenance measures.