I just bought an optivisor and I've noticed that my 2/00 3/00 etc brushes have a little curl at the tip. I assume this is not normal? How do fix this or am I pooched? Makes it hard to paint fine lines.

Damn those magnifiers! Seriously though, I have never heard of any methods used to fix the problem with your brushes. I have a few that could use a fix or a pitching too.

Here's an interesting site about brushes: Tips on Paint Brushes

There are brush conditioners at the painting aisle of your local arts & crafts store. Kind of like a type of stiffener that after you wet the bristles, you form it to a point and let it dry overnight.

I have a fine brush that got curled at the tip, but I found a good use for it. The way it is bent makes it easier to apply a wash into recessed lines, IMHO. Just an idea if you can't fix it. Don't let anything go to waste

Nic

I second that Nic... I've got brushes from years ago that are quite 'tattered', but I haven't thrown any out as they'll always be good for drybrushing, washes, applying a bit of glue in a difficult spot etc., etc. When the bristles are beyond any possible use, I'll used the handles to stir (not to be shaken) paint. Even then I'll cut them down until they're not long enough for that purpose anymore.

Maybe I should change my name to 'pack rat', but I'd hate to get busted down to PV-1 again. :-)

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe
Mortars in Miniature

I paint mostly with sable brushes and treat them with glycerine between painting sessions. This keeps them moist and pointed for the duration of their life. The synthetic brushes I have I really do not care about how much of a point they have since I use them for laying in base color and/or applying Dullcote.

I dip the sables into the glycerine and then snap them. If the brush goes back to a point then it is fine. If it doesn't it is toast.

I gotta try this

Hey GF, I know exactly what your situation is, and how to fix it !
........as I have taught myself how to trim my "red sable's years ago before
I took abscence from the hobby.
Your bristles come to a perferct point............however you have a "bristle burr "
that hooks off at the tip ..............right ?
Here what you do:
Take a fine finger-nail manicure scissor, spread the blades, and rest one blade
against the the tip of the bristles so the little "bristle burr " hang's over the
cutting edge of the blade...of the open scissor ( make sure you have on your optical-magnifier ).....now close the scissior's and snip the "bristle burr " or hook.
Your bristles should now have a perfect point.
LET ME KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT.
**************************************************************************************************
Some other advice as if your other brushes or if you happen to buy a brush
that the tip is more squared..........but is suppose to be pointed -
Take the bristles ( holding the brush vertical - point up ) and moisten them and with your thumb & fore-finger & flatten the bristles.
Now with the fine manicure scissor..........very, very , very carefully snip each side
of the flatten bristles at an angle. ( You only need to snip a minicule off each side ).
Your bristles should have an upside-down " V " shape. Lick the bristles,
and they should form a perfect point.
Also, " believe it or not " but windex will also help to bring any red sable brush back
to shape. Just dip in the windex ...tap off the excess, and let sit upright.
One more tip, is when your finished with you red sable brushes....after you wash them
........pat them dry, and dip them in regular "hair-conditioner " ( yes human hair - conditioner ). Let them sit for a minute and rinse. This increase's the life of the brush
and keep''s the bristles soft and flexible.
HOPE THIS IS OF HELPTO ALL.
If you have any ?'s ....let me know

- ralph

thank for all the replies.. some good ideas. I'll try them!! I just went and bought 5 russian sable brushes including W&N series 7 3/0 and other brushes mde form the same sable hairs as teh W&7. Hope this will help me.

Yeah, I was always wondering that, if you wash your brushs using like shampoo instead of plain soap, will it help any?

Soap and water is fine. The key is the hair conditioner afterwards.

- ralph

Yep, just remember to not put any Rogaine on it after the conditioner. Otherwise your brand new W&N 000 will trun into a W&N 0 overnight!

Tread. #:-)