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A while ago I bought a package of cheap brushes at a cheap store. When I opened the package all the bristles were stuck together and I figured it was some sort of laquer or something similar used to keep the bristles from being distorted prior to use.
I initially cleaned the brushes with laquer thinner and I thought I had them clean. However, the bristles were still stiff, so I cleaned them again with enamel thinner - let them dry - then cleaned them with acrylic cleaner and let them dry. I repeated this entire process,..laquer, enamel then acrylic cleaners two more times. The bristles were softer and more pliable, so I figured the brushes were finally clean.
However, I just tried to use one of the brushes with tamiya acrylics and noticed during cleaning that there are little clumps of something still in the bristles. I can see them clearer now that there is some color from the paint. Unfortunately, I've tried to take some photo's to show these, but they're just too small to show up.
So all this description boils down to one question: What the heck is in these bristles and is there anything I can use that'll finally make this $8.99 set of 12 brushes useful to me? Or is this just a classic case of "you get what you pay for" and I should make all these brushes glue and weathering tools?
Rich - "And when the Band you're in starts playing different tunes, I'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon" - Pink Floyd
I couldnt begin to tell you what it is but if Laquer thinner didn't get it, not sure what will... one suggestion would be to try Goo-Gone or Goof-Off, let the brushes soak a while and then rinse em, they are some pretty potent cleaners... good luck.
I suggest another go with lacquer thinner. After that, try washing the bristles in soap and water, rinse thoroughly and then let them air dry. What sort of bristles are they? Natural or synthetic?
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LSM
No no no. Throw them away. Do you buy your tools on QVC? Do you eat at McDonald's every night?
Just when you figure out how to defeat the sheep glue they were dipped in in China, they will start leaving their relatives behind on your work.
A good brush is a man's best friend. Spend $ 2.00 on a brush and you will have a good one. Spend $ 8.00 on a brush and you will have a friend for life.
I have two sets of brushes with which I have a spiritual connection. I paint (or write in the tradition) icons. Father has blessed both and they do one thing only and do it well. They will never see a tin of Humbrol though.
I also have a pickle jar full of model brushes in various states of life. You only need three to get through life- a flat one, a pointed one and a needle sharp one.
I buy cheap brushes for two reasons- basting ribs and staining furniture.
ditto...you have already wasted enough time and thinners than the brush(s) is worth.
bondoman Just when you figure out how to defeat the sheep glue they were dipped in in China, they will start leaving their relatives behind on your work.
My first guess was Cosmoline if they are Chicom manufactured, but that is from my other hobby!
Chris
A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."
I would have taken them back for a refund. Do yourself a favor and stay away from cheap brushes, they will not last. They are fine if you're gonna use them to spread glue or ground material but for painting go with good quality brushes. Whenever I see Hobby Lobby put their good brushes at 50% I pick up a couple even if I don't need any..
Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!
PontiacRich A while ago I bought a package of cheap brushes at a cheap store.
A while ago I bought a package of cheap brushes at a cheap store.
Expains it all.
Mark
FSM Charter Subscriber
Like the others havve said: Cheap Brushes = Bad!
One thing to add, however, I would avoid trying Goo Gone or similar products as they will likely loosen the glue holding the bristles on the brush.
Something you might try in the future-instead of using laquer or enamel thinner to loosen up the bristles, try just plain warm water. I used to use cheapo brushes a lot when I was painting pictures, not models. Warm water (maybe with a touch of dish soap) always worked to separate the bristles. IMHO, the advantage to more expensive brushes is in the detailing and precision.I have a couple of sets of Kolinsky sable, badger, and other natural brushes for fine work, details on watercolor, etc., but use the cheapos for the gesso coats (like primer) and undercoats. Plain water always worked best to loosen up the bristles before I used them the first time.
You do realize if they are thrown away within a short period of time you will find a use for them!
I have 4 sets of brushes
A: a few Sables for enamels/oils, some are 15 years old & still good
B: extra High quality (eg Prolene) for Acrylic.some are 10-15 years old & well looked after
C: various 'scrumbles' eg, worn a's & b's and SOME 'dollar store' brushes for ground-work, dry-brushes, applying decal sol/set, glue etc., & everything else.
D: very tough cheap brushes I let my kids have for their 'artworks' awww!
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There are many uses for cheap brushes so I would keep them. You can use them to clean up plastic dust left behind by sanding, you can spread chalk, evenly spread glues, and many other things. It's good to have a few cheap brushes on hand.
Buying cheap brushes is like spending several thousand dollars on an audio system and byuing a set of $10 speakers at teh discount store or getting a top end blu-ray player and hooking it up to a 12 inch black and white tv. Also, Tamiya paints are near impossible to lay down properly without a great deal of work even using top end brushes.
What to do with the brushes? Toss them and consider this a really cheap lesson in the school of hard knocks.
Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
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