Fix Messed up Brushes With this SECRET TOOL

[@CronosVids]

Josh is an aboslute great guy from the first moment he came onscreen. Gentle and nice personality, a warm welcome!

[@ThePickleJar]

Thank you so much! Happy to be here :)

[@CronosVids]

@@ThePickleJar I only just realized that you’re “the” Josh from The Pickle Jar. My apologies. Your channel has been name dropped before, now is the time for me to check it out for sure.

[@andrewpower]

I remember trying to fix a hooked brush with a scissors. That was a big mistake! I then had a new basing brush :P Thanks for showing a cool way of fixing a hooked tip.

[@Andy__H]

Yep, done that. 😂

[@Edithae]

Is it also a bad idea to clip stray bristles rhat stick out at awkward angles?

[@Seelenschmiede]

Been there, done that 😅

[@Virakotxa]

@@Edithae When there is one really sticking it out... I comb it and cut it with a hobby knife... pulling it might weaken perfectly fine adjecent ones.

[@honieebean]

I did the same 😂 now I have a beveled brush for when I have to get in tiny spots

[@christopherheintz2634]

If you guys are worried about umm, trying this in a curling iron, here is another way to do it: Clean your brush nicely with soap. Drag it along a cloth so that you get the bristles as straight as you can... Put a kettle on. From where the little jet of steam is coming out, gently and about an inch or so away from the spout, kinda "pull" the brush through the steam, each time watching your bristles, after four or five passes they will relax (just the bristles, please try to keep the steam away from the ferrule and glue), and with a little brush soap on your fingers, for your tip back up. So after the steam has relaxed or helped to straighten the bristles, gently pull through some soapy fingers while still warm, reform the tip, and then leave for a day or two. You'll have accomplished the same thing, and not gotting a thrashing from your mom or spouse for leaving hard water deposits on their straightener. Best of luck all!

[@BouncingTribbles]

My dad and mum are both acrylic canvas artists and they told me to use rubbing alcohol. I have always used 70 or 90 rubbing alcohol to clean them when they get gunked up. My brushes last forever. It works way better then the brush soap I bought

[@InFerrumVeritas]

I use rubbing alcohol to break down the paint, then condition with brush soap.

[@BouncingTribbles]

@@InFerrumVeritas I'll try that next time, thanks :)

[@AzraelThanatos]

I've got more of the isopropyl alcohol they sell in the pharmacy, not very often, but it works very well to clean some of them out if I've messed up. Normally because of things like dealing with other messes that pop up and the brush is left there for long enough for the paint to start to sludge on me. I've used the stuff for other things in the past, and the higher percentage alcohol works for stripping paint, so I tried it and stuff came off rather easily.

[@BouncingTribbles]

@@AzraelThanatos rubbing alcohol=isopropyl alcohol

[@mo_dakka]

How do you use it? Dunk the brushes or what?

[@VonBek2009]

My go to is "the Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver" . Loved the out takes too! 😂

[@seanclarke8015]

That sequence of nicking the Mrs' straighteners made me laugh. Why are us nerds just the fucking coolest people

[@euansmith3699]

Proper tip-top top tips. It is always a pleasant surprise when Luke whips out his tip and shows it to the world. The amber and teal background lighting in this video is suitably epic; and the narrow depth of field gives everything a cinematic look. The fact that Josh could rescue those Squidmar brushes is a good advert for the brush quality.

[@ThePickleJar]

I was just as surprised as you, can’t believe they came back up so nice

[@OldZean]

Did you mean tiptop top tip tips?

[@euansmith3699]

@@OldZean 🎶I said-a tip, top, the tippie, the tippie To the tip top top-a you don't stop the flock It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat🎶

[@kungpochopedtuna]

I wouldn't have known how to word that comment myself. But I fully agree sir

[@StevilKanevil_]

I always keep one hooked tip brush as I find it easier to actually paint eyes and pupils with!

[@hiddencloudninja]

Your recent videos have been great and feel especially relevant for those of us that put their equipment through its paces. The paintbrush shopping video the other week was awesome too. Especially nice for those of us in the UK

[@lorrainemunoa791]

I paint dolls more often than minis but this is absolute gold for anyone who uses nice paintbrushes! Thank you!

[@sub39h]

Thanks again for all the tips and tricks. It’s great to have some realistic advice on how to keep hobbying without someone pushing paid promotions and gatekeeping nonsense. Most of us are like you and just want to enjoy our hobby time as economically/efficiently as possible. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@garylewis6864]

Luke I just restored 10 cheap brushes with a cup of hot water. Fantastic tip, thanks...I said tip by the way!

[@rhammitt88]

It is awesome to see someone that uses all the trick I use to keep my brushes going. Though, the iron trick is new and I love it! I have been using the same synthetic brushes for over 5 years and they are still going strong. Look after your brushes and they will look after you!

[@chillminis5201]

This has become one of my favourite hobby channels. So many good tips.

[@HQBunker]

just hot water from a kettle works as well, don't need straightener :)

[@kungpochopedtuna]

He does say that

[@thomaskiser3886]

That’s not the best though-lose bristles and can weaken glue in the fulcrum so whole thing pops off or lose more bristles in long run cleaning in boiling water. …Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver is best thing to use!

[@midnightoracleminis3585]

If i had SUPER bad dry brushes that are all old & stuck together, Ive put them in a cup of 50/50 olive oil & dish soap, mashed them about & let them soak overnight or a couple days if they are REALLY bad, the oil & soap combo really helps the old paint just slide right off the bristles. I will definitely have to try the hand sanitizer method to see how that goes too!

[@honieebean]

I've heard coconut oil too... It works for gum in the hair so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Ernzt8]

Cameraman, editor and brush cleaner... that is some job Josh - congrats!

[@ThePickleJar]

I’m truly a lucky man to be cleaning Lukes brushes 😅

[@Ernzt8]

@@ThePickleJar You are doing a good job, as long as you do not forget about your own channel!

[@ThePickleJar]

@@Ernzt8 no plans to pack my channel in. Thanks for the kind words :)

[@Kazad22]

For me personally, a good way to get into the habit of cleaning brushes is to wash, clean, and soap everyone involved in the creative process. It does not matter if a synthetic or some expensive brush from a well-known brand with natural bristles, treats them equally. Someone will say a waste of time and resources, possible, but thanks to this I have a developed "muscle memory", so much that one of the best (natural brushes) is 18 years old ... And it works well :)

[@jebimasta4604]

"Everyone" Hahah. If English isn't your first language you're doing very well, but "everyone" is for people only, I don't think you should clean and soap your editor with your brushes XD

[@viciousyeen6644]

@@jebimasta4604 he said what he meant, trust me. I work in a paintbrush factory and I can’t count the times he breached our security to soap up everyone. He’s unstoppable

[@GandalfGreyPill]

man, the curled tip fix is genius. im only a little over 2 years into the hobby. never owned a "nice brush". ive been using dollar store synthetics. the dollar stores around me recently stopped carrying the brushes i like, so ive been worried about running out. (i could get a pack of 5 brushes for 2 bucks, now the cheapest i can find in town is about $5 for 3 brushes. they are a little higher quality, but its not such a drastic difference that it affects my painting ability in any way.) being able to stretch my brushes lives out longer is an awesome advantage for me right now.

[@ArawnNox]

One thing I learned thats been really useful is how to get the tip on your brush back while working. It's black magic. Heavily wet your brush, then with the brush in one hand, flick the handle against your finger on the other hand. This creates a sort of whipping motion and the water flying off the bristles bring them together.

[@jmc7034]

Love the tip on hook tips. Excellent vid

[@aurthurdent99]

Luke, you've got some great tips and tricks for painting and making terrain. Thank you for sharing with amatuers like myself. I look forward to some more cool videos.

[@mattcappelli5822]

Love the idea of the hair straightener! I use synthetic brushes almost exclusively and always get the hooked tips. Definitely trying this one out tonight if I can do a stealth mission ninja style to my fiancé’s straightener

[@ajsommerfield]

I use my wife’s brush egg (along side brush soap) to clean up my Army Painter Masterclass dry brushes - works a treat and I’m sure it would work on larger synthetic or other ‘dome’ style dry brushes.

[@wonderwend1]

OMG I'm weeping at the state of those brushes

[@andrewmitchell3289]

Thanks Luke and Josh. Great tips and suggestions. Love the outtakes.

[@corkey2077]

Thanks definitely gonna do the hand gel on my series D brushes

[@Starexe97]

2:28 SUCH athletic espionage skills. Are you secretly working for MI6??? Is that how you pay for your hobby needs? o.O

[@oliverp3545]

It's the Nikes (emphasis on the e).

[@aaronbono4688]

Everyone always rags about hooked brushes. Sure they're going to be difficult to use if you're trying to put an eyeball in a tiny miniature but I actually like the hooked brushes for a lot of things like getting around corners to get underarms and in between legs and around weapons. I think the hooked brushes are underrated.

[@mazikainen]

It seems you don't need to go to Mordor to see the Crack of Doom.

[@frankling.robertsiii6811]

The natural brush tips Thorne about, but those synthetic tip tips were cracking brilliant! Thanks for these great upkeep tips!

[@mrflapjacklover]

a good tip i discovered is to have a two chamber wash pot (wash and rinse), put some soap into the wash chamber, then itll be cleaned off in the rinse, this prevents alot of the buildup of paint within the brush bristles

[@Tr1ckster100]

Lmao that was less a combat roll and more of a sausage roll. Thanks again to you and Josh for some more great tips. Really helpful as always 😁

[@czaere]

My new favorite brush soap is from you guessed it… Monument Hobbies… Jen’s Brush Goop

[@ThePickleJar]

Not tried their brush soap, might grab some next time I need a restock

[@harazhangf5782]

Thanks for the tips. :) And the chemistry between you two is awesome. Love it !!!

[@cabe_bedlam]

The trauma in Pickle's eyes when you said speedpaints :D

[@ThePickleJar]

I had nightmares from this video for days

[@zethjin6730]

Thanks Luke for the tip with the hot flat iron thing. I did it at my ceramic stove. Just worked fine.

[@theguyonthecouch6109]

I don't throw away beat up brushes, I keep them for beater projects. I do appreciate any brush recovery vid though.

[@timothyyoung2962]

Ah, I see Luke is like me and has many a good brush sacrificed in the name of the Emperor. I'll have to try the straightener trick. I hate when my brushes hook.

[@paulteti]

Outstanding thanks for the tips. I knew about the brush soap and I swear by it. I'll have to try the hand sanitizer and the flat iron.

[@artistpoet5253]

Yeah. I use that hand gel one all the time on my synths. I've got some natural hair brushes and just use hair shampoo and a simple conditioner when they need a cleaning. Be sure NOT to use the stuff that's supposed to 'add volume' or 'bounce' or 'highlights'...weird results and I'll just leave it there.

[@robot7759]

Luke, the brush slaying barbarian.

[@adamstockton3401]

Rather than hair straightners buy a small skillet pan, something like 3-6inch. Seems a bit safer to do that tip on the stove.. Or a simular option to hair straighteners, a George Forman or paninni press or toastie maker.

[@mattdeeley4302]

What about a clothes iron?

[@adamstockton3401]

@@mattdeeley4302 i was thinking things that had a "dip" that will trap the water, but sure clothes iron would do the job

[@PhD777]

To straighten hooked tips: submerge 2/3rds the tuft in boiling water for about 15 seconds-repeat if necessary. Best brush cleaner and preserver -for any medium- is The Master's Brush Cleaner & Preserver by General Pencil Company. Have used this for 41 years; have tried others, never found better! (Background in fine art as well as miniatures in, literally, every medium, since early 1970's!)

[@CampaignTerrain]

"Clean" them, you say? Intriguing. (Sorry, Josh!) Helpful info. Thanks, guys

[@layne182]

Brush soap! New item for the shopping list. Thanks for the tips! Hooked tips are the worst

[@alessiodecarolis]

I normally add, after washing them with a dedicated soap, rinse them with a softener (neuter), then they're dried with a paper towel.

[@BillWD]

Thanks guys. And don't worry, i don't use speed paints or contrast paints but I do use inks I'm afraid!

[@HacksawsHobbyBunker]

For the Grim Reaper to visit those poor brushes....they couldn't possibly have ALL had the salmon mousse, could they? ;-) Cracking tips. Cheers!

[@Digomotron]

Thanks for showing us how to save those brushes. I tried it and it work just fine!

[@peppermintshore]

I also like Windsor and Newton brush cleaner. Really good to get paint that is dried in and on or near the ferrule. Im don't think it's a good product for synthetic bushes.

[@geekfreak69]

Tips top tips. Great video. Luke and Josh

[@jthomlin]

A few seconds in the steam from a boiling kettle will straighten out nylon brushes, also isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning put dried paint.

[@RodneySloan]

When you realise a troll slayer is teaching you how to paint. Luke is the best, keep em coming bud!

[@BarokaiRein]

I didn't expect to find an use for my hair straightener by watching your videos but ever since I decided to go for Hagrid mane instead of Gandalf locks I haven't used the thing.

[@nickdavis5420]

Thank you I needed this I’m teaching people too paint and I need too fix brushes .

[@alexanderk.7782]

i like the Sergo Calvo Style: a small Tupa can/box, with a Foam (from your GW Pakage inside the grey one), then distilled water and a lot of the Brush Soap mixed with the water. So you can circle the brush on the foam and get your super fine tip back ;)

[@grayjappe562]

Washing them with proper brush soap and gel them into shape will work better and make the brushes last longer. Alcohol gel will eventually dissolve the glue holding the bristles

[@zulous]

It looked like Luke had been chewin on his brushes rather than licking them

[@timothywood4402]

I use something called “pink soap “ which is a cleaner ,preserver,and conditioner in one. I always avoid paint buildup and drying on the brush by constantly cleaning while painting like it was pointed out in the video. Anyway I have WN series 7 brushes that are over 6-8 yrs old or older.the only reason I replace them is the hairs break off after so many years and long service.Just flat out wearing out. And one more thing this is for acrylics like Vallejo,Andrea,and AK3rd gen.. tho the pink soap works on any type of paint removal I don’t use real hair brushes with anything but the above mentioned acrylic types.

[@MSPaints]

Even when you breaking and entering you too scared to wear your shoes on the carpet! Haha

[@raychu6]

love the tips and the covert op mission! carry on mate!

[@piratequeenpickle2538]

Very reasonable.

[@grampawerewolf9832]

Good one Luke! Omg if Josh was nauseous at the state of your brushes...hate to think what would happen if...Reap on Grim One! 🖌☠️👻

[@duncansBoB]

Please can we keep the out-take feature for future Vids? Comedy gold!! And nice one Josh - adding value to the business, like a pickle in a burger!

[@ThePickleJar]

We always have plenty of bloopers. I’ll see what I can do ;)

[@martinnatella5500]

Beautiful thumbnail!

[@SlayerMiniatures]

Epic thumbnail 😆 I've seen people clean synthetic with boiling water too. Don't know why people hate synthetic, they are awesome.

[@philgee486]

And this is why you can't have nice stuff.... This is not a lightweight vid, I paint a lot with oils, I use cheap (but great shaped) synthetic brushes because oils kill sable dead. My cobalt blue can kill a stoat at 300 yds. I get through a brush every couple of weeks I've never thought to use alcohol hand sanitizer, acrylic paint uses isopropyl alcohol as part of the solvent mix so it breaks down cured/drying/dry paint. The hand sanitizer has a bit of conditioner in it too. I do use hair conditioner and hair mud to keep bristles soft and reform tips, won't need to do that as often. Don't need hot water that can melt the glue in the ferrule either. Really great job! Changed my painting habits

[@anunnakialien8727]

so no more dipping paint brushes in my hot coffee to straighten the hooked tips.

[@anunnakialien8727]

so the options are, if your experienced painter buy good brushes and look after them, if your not then buy cheap ones and replace them when needed.

[@Darkfist007]

I got some gooie brush soap, I didn't know it came in little bricks. I will have to go find some next time I'm at the art supply stores. It's amazing how much hobby stuff there is that just isn't marketed.

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

I use my wife's GHD straightners to sort out sable brushes when they come through with dodgy hairs.

[@SquidmarMiniatures]

Josh, i got u bro 😂

[@ThePickleJar]

Cheers hun 😘

[@duncansBoB]

🤣🤣🤣

[@hazzie2005]

I sometimes find hooked tips useful for getting into hard to reach places when base coating 😅

[@josephamer3545]

Lidl had a make-up brush cleaner kit that might be good for art brushes as well.

[@PatchGuilf]

Deluxe Material's Brush Magic product is the best way to reclaim mashed up sable I've tried. Really draws that dried on paint. Then use the brush soap as a conditioner.

[@Zogatn]

How do I restore the sharp point of the brush. After rinsing and washing the brush with soapy water, I dip it in a secret formula - hair gum and form a point with my fingers. The hair gum is completely safe for the bristles of the brush.

[@johnbeaudoin7820]

That flatiron trick is brilliant!

[@LordSquee]

Luke you really need to film some kind of a bank heist movie. Your 'mission' moves are the best :)

[@chrishorne5855]

Cheers mate great tips , will try them out when I can 🇦🇺👍🏻

[@george_a79]

Honestly really amazing guide lads, I'm using APs Wargamers brushes for fining and detail and some AP Hobby brushes for heavy duties and I can say that the hot water fixed my hooked tips on those damn synthetic hobby brushes. But, my question is this, I can treat my wargamner brushes, since they use Rotmarder sable hairs as the Kolinsky ones, or I have to follow another path to protect and treat them ? Again guys amazing tips and keep it up.

[@JamDrawer]

Great overall tips for the modern painter/dummy like myself 😜 love the content as always ✌️

[@GuyMaleMan]

Well I just spent $60 on paintbrushes to replace my previous messed up ones, so I sure wish i saw this a few days ago

[@LegionaireSiggi]

Lol, hilarious bit. The wife said she's glad she doesn't have a curling iron.

[@tytanwargaming]

First tip is exactly what I use, normally nobody thinks about it

[@MrBizteck]

2:20 ...ahh Luke moves like a Gazelle Thats been glued to a sheet of fly paper 🤣🤣🤣 Great vid btw.. I have the dex of a Russian tank tbh 🤣

[@Born_Stellar]

well I guess those people that freaked out and bought gallons of sanitizer now have something useful to do with it! 🤣🤣

[@TheGreatMim]

Thanks for the tips, I’ve been wondering what to do about my hooked tips😜

[@moonolyth]

If you let paint dry on/in the brush... .. . La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner is a degreaser. 8bucks per gallon. I use it for all sorts of stuff. You can soak a brush for around 3-4hrs and the dry paint will come off just check periodically as you don't want to remove the glue holding the bristles. What do you have to loose but filling the trash with brushes.

[@freelancerblitz2579]

Need to try that with my hooked brushes for definite! I’m sure our lass won’t mind 😂 also I like the GGS paint pot

[@CraftedCampaigns]

I should probably dig out that brush soap... 😬

[@oliverp3545]

Nothing more like a hobbyist to just use something completely counter to what it is meant for, I think most would panick if they put water on hair straighteners.

[@ricardosimoes2507]

I'm going to wait untill the end to like this... (Luke rolls on the ground for no apparent reason) ... ok, thumbs up now.

[@PeninsulaPaintingProjects]

😱 you absolute Genius, I’m gonna use my bird straighteners now and ruin them

[@YanniCooper]

I use B&J master brush cleaner, but I'd love to know what Josh uses at home (if he said, i missed it.)

[@ThePickleJar]

At home I use the Masters brush cleaner

[@siliconkain700]

Your tips are always useful, thank you!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good tip thanks lee

[@frubblegump]

Rather then hair straightener. Wonder would one of those USB coffee warmers? Experimentation I think is required

[@lizj8463]

I wonder if a hot teflon/ceramic coated saucepan would work if you don't have a hair straightener?

[@JayhanLordofCats]

Aww Game & Gear soap the best, good tips guys thanks