If there is one thing I often forget to do it is clean off the paint brushes. While I am no DIY expert I have been known to try to have a go at the very least. But more often than not I forget about the paint brushes I use and the go all stiff and unusable. So what can I do with an old stiff paintbrush? Well, it seems there are some very good ideas indeed…
- The 'The Old Paint Brush' might have actually started many years ago when I married my husband. We could not afford to hire any work done so we learned how to do it ourselves! Over the years I have stripped furniture, painted furniture, painted outside, painted inside, painted for kids, painted for friends, painted for hire and painted for free.
- Mar 9, 2020 - Explore Kimberly Bremer-Sharples's board 'Paint Brush Repurposed', followed by 875 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about paint brush art, paint brushes, altered art.
10 – Stiff and Hanging!
This amazing idea was first seen in my post “Top 10 Amazing Coat Hangers” and is still a great idea today. Nothing more required than a varnishing bush left out all night to go hard.
It doesn’t matter if paintbrushes have been fossilized by oil- or water-based finishes of any type. You can restore any brush with a simple soaking in brush cleaner. Whether it’s caked with dried paint or varnish, a crusty paintbrush can be restored to like-new condition. Old Paint Brush You can find brushes like this all over the waters of Qu. Folklore says that it was part of an ancient ritual that ended by throwing these brushes into the sea. Whatever his origin-story, it is an excellent brush.
Old Paint Brushes For Sale
9 – Super Stiff!
What better thing to turn all those old paint brushes into than a Super Hero! With just some simple paintwork and a touch of cloth, you to can be pretending to save the World!
8 – The Stiff Old Ladies
This is the incredible work of artist, Rebecca Szeto who makes some rather amazing carvings and art from all her old paint brushes. Done in a 17th-century portraiture style they are well beyond anything I could make myself, but well worth seeing.
7 – Paint By Muppets
Everyone loves Beaker from the muppets! And so this idea for me was a real winner. Not just for the creative design, but also for the step by step making guide in the link!
6 – Painting, painting brushes!
With the spin of doing a painting on a painting bush, this recycling idea Artskrap over on ETSY is not only a great idea, not only a great piece of art that you can own, not only beautiful but also fantastic recycling as well.
5 – Painting Vase
Not only do these upcycled paint brush vases look incredible, but they are also dead simple to make! What I love about these sorts of simple ideas is the creativity people use when coming up with the idea in the first place!
4 – Paint Wreath
With the festive season coming upon us thick and fast this recycled paintbrush wreath might not be such a bad at the idea at all! It looks great and is fairly simple to make as well.
3 – Stiff Handles
Why not spruce up your old kitchen draws or cupboards with this cool idea! Making great use of the original paint bush handles this idea isn’t just good, it is born of pure genius!
2 – Look at the time, it is paint-o-clock!
While I am sure these are new paint brushes the idea still stands. This amazing DIY clock has it all going on. Creativity, colour and dare I say it; a touch of designer class as well.
1 – The Hanger
When it comes to recycling design ideas Chez Marie Claire is most probably the Worlds best and this impressive paint brush chandelier shows exactly why. Simply amazing.
You pull a clean, fresh paintbrush out of the pile, and a smile stretches instantly across your face. There is simply no better feeling!
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could keep your brushes in this good of shape for as long as possible? It may not come as a surprise, but all it takes is some regular care and maintenance.
But, while dirty brushes are the bane of every painter’s existence, they happen. Whether they are accidentally forgotten about after a long day in the studio or merely on their last leg, seasoned artists and brush makers have a few tricks up their sleeves for bringing your brushes back to life.
So, think twice before you pop that trashcan lid, and consider these twelve tips for caring for and salvaging your favorite brushes.
“Repeat the washing and rinsing process until the soap and water runs clear. Keep your water warm, but not hot, as hot water may cause any remaining paint to clot.” - Winsor & Newton
“Soaking your brushes in fabric softener periodically will help restore softness and pliability to their bristles, keeping them from becoming brittle and breaking off.” - Paint Nite
“You can use vegetable oil for cleaning a palette and dish soap and water for brushes. Just don’t let them sit in the water—it will ruin them. But, if they do lose shape, you can stick them in boiling water for a few seconds and they will reshape.” - Lori McNee, Fine Art Tips
“ Remove all excess paint with a soft rag or paper towel. Never let your brush rest on its head. There are many accessories available that will suspend your brush.” - Princeton Artist Brush Co.
“The most important thing to remember with regard to caring for your acrylic brushes is not to let the paint dry following use, as the paint is not soluble in this state and will produce a plastic-like dried texture.” - Winsor & Newton
“Soak oil paint-covered brushes for 5-10 minutes in baby oil (yes, baby oil). This gets a lot of paint and medium off before washing thoroughly with mild soap and warm water. “ - Teri Granger Martin
“The area near the ferrule is often the hardest to clean, but it's actually just as important for maintaining a brush's shape as the tip. Any paint residue that coats the bristles at their base will prevent them from coming together at the top.” - Craftsy
“If the ferrell gets gummed up, I was told that you can soak your brushes in rubbing alcohol for a couple of days and that will solve the problem.” - Carol McIntyre
Old Paint Brushes And Easel
“After washing with dish soap and water I finish the job as a usual rule with olive oil! You fight oil base with oil! Won't believe how much oil paint is removed from what I thought was a clean brush! The olive oil keeps the bristles soft as well!”
“Grab a glass cup and fill it about 1-2 inches deep with distilled white vinegar. Heat it in the microwave for 1-1.5 minutes then submerge your nasty paintbrushes into it… Take some dish soap (Dawn, Palmolive, etc.) and rinse off the brushes in warm soapy water.” - Crafty Morning
“If you have a painting project in mind, but the only paintbrushes you have are old, hard, and frayed, don’t go through the trouble of buying new ones. Revive old acrylic brushes with hair gel instead! Coat frayed bristles with any hair gel to mend the tips, then wash and soak them in fabric softener. They’ll be good as new!” - Paint Nite
“No matter what works for you, ensure that you reshape your brushes to the way they first looked when you bought them before you let them dry.” - Rosemary and Co
Old Paint Brushes
Hungry for more painting tips? Check out this smart advice for all painters we scored at the Plein Air Convention this year!
*Tips may work differently for acrylic and oil paint brushes. Make sure you double check any recommendations with the type of brush and paint you are using, as it varies with paint types.
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