How do you clean and keep brush '000' in a good shape ? Instead of having one fine-tip 000 brush, now i have three 000 brushes each with awful, shapeless tip.

I tried soak the brush in thinner, and slowly wipe it on a kleenex tissue; but either i cant clean the brush from paint, or i cant keep my brush in a good shape. Please help.

Well, I use enamels, and clean my brush in either Mineral Spirits or generic paint thinner, from the hardware store. I keep a little bottle full of either, and move the brush back and forth in it, taking it out every so often to brush it on a paper towel, until the paint is gone. Then, I store it upright in a jar I use to hold my brushes. I was once told that storing them upright was important to preserving the brush, and I've always done it since. I've had no problem with my 0, 0/5, 0/10, 0/15, or 0/20 brushes, which are sables. The main problem I have is with the "brushie", not the brush.

Hope this was useful.

Mike

mj, where do you get such small brushes!!! HOLY COW!!! ME WANTS!!!

Seriously, where can I get some wicked small ones like that...smallest I have is a 10/0

After washing the brush in thinner you could try to dip into some windex/liquid detergent. I find that this helps in preserving the shape of your brush. Making the right choice in brushes help too. I use tamiya's high fine brush and it works great! Shape didnt change a bit since I had it one and a half years ago.........

hmm....maybe i shouldnt buy the cheapest brush... It only lasted 5 painting sessions I'll try the windex idea. Thanks !

This is an odd one... I don't quite understand why it is wearing out so quickly...

Try not to soak. But, press the tip gently on to the sides of the bottle that contains your cleaner and twist the tip so the hairs all fan out a bit. Wipe dry on a cotton cloth to maintain shape.
This works for me, anyway...

Also, it may sound silly but the sable needs to be moisturized occassionally, too. I use the wifes lanolin mositurinzing lotion. I put a bit of that on my fingers and smooth into the sable hairs. Don't use too much or it'll gum up. No jokes about the hand lotion, please

Good luck!

Think of brushes as the equivalent of speakers in your sound system. It doesn't matter how good the receiver or cd palyer is, poor speakers will not produce good sound. Likewise, all you painting skills, all the sculptors skills and tha best paints won't mean squat if you can't put them together with the brush. Buy the best brushes you can. I've had great luck witha pair of Vallejo brushes I received last year.
Also, your brush should be cleaned in thinner, not stored in it. Dip the brush in thinner, roll it on the edge of the container and lay it on a paper towel or other absorbant material before storing it point up.

AJ, I couldn't have said this better than you.

PZKFWIII, I've acquired mine over a few years, but mainly I get them from hobby shops, and art supply stores. I don't have them in front of me at the moment, but I will check the brand names and PM you with them. I consider them indespensible, especially for 1/35 figure work, and those tiny interior details in planes and tanks. I'll get back to you this evening.

Mike

The only other things I would add that have't been said yet, are: don't buy cheap brushes. Don't use your brushes to mix your paint prior to brushing. Treat the brush carefully when brushing - don't use it like a straw to get paint onto your figure or model. When cleaning, don't push on the bristles too vigorously, do not twirl the brush or push it down to the bottom of the jar of whatever the appropriate cleaner is for the medium you are using. Also, do not twirl it in paper when drying it off. If you look at it, and it looks clean? Clean it one more time. This is the advice the art store gave me.

If you have plastic protective sleeves for the tips, make sure to put them back on to protect the point. If you have lost the point, leave it moist and repoint the tip when putting it back in the sleeve.

Although it's only been about 4 or 5 months, my skills painting figures suck BUT ... I haven't lost a point yet on my good brushes You can also get conditioners from real art stores but I haven't needed to go that route yet. I use princeton and w&n brushes. Hope that helps.

GR8Voyager