How to Clean and Recondition your Paint Brushes. Paintbrush Restoration for Acrylic Paint.

How to do a hard-reset and get very dirty brushes usable again! In this video I look at both natural sable hair brushes and synthetic golden taklon brushes. Get the dry paint out and re-form the tips! In this video we use a microscope to take a closer look at the paintbrushes and at the individual bristles.
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[@TheYouglup]

What on earth is that little bunny creature model with the turnip?? I desperately need to get one!

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Akadh botanist :-) www.relicblade.com/shop/p/akadh-botanist

[@TheYouglup]

@@GoobertownHobbies big thanks!

[@Mikey__R]

Oops, I was getting all mixed up! Ignore me!

[@Caddy666]

@@GoobertownHobbies have you tried hair streighteners on brushes?

[@Ryan30z]

Thank god there's finally a video on this with someone with a science background and knows the subject matter. There's so little good information, and a lot of dubious marketing around brush products.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

I suspect that a lot of the specialty soaps do have marginal advantages with the various blend of conditioners they use... but for an old fashioned deep clean just use whatever works! :-)

[@theandf]

Even well intentioned advice is sometimes (often!) wrong. What I love about Brent's videos is that he tests his assumptions -- the real scientific method! I often mention to others his videos about the relative merits of priming and varnishing models to prevent damage. People have all sort of beliefs that sometimes don't correspond to reality (also see: how many people claim you absolutely MUST wash your plastic sprues with water and soap? I seldom remember to do this, and it makes little to no difference with most brands of minis).

[@gregoryhall4062]

The science lens on all the videos is what keeps me coming back. Love the methodology and approach to problems we all have

[@mrheisenberg83]

@@theandf could that be people confusing plastic and resin?

[@theandf]

@@mrheisenberg83 I think that's a possibility. People are told one thing ("mold release agent") that may be true of some processed, and then never update their beliefs when those processes or materials change.

[@ponli7532]

In 25 years of warhammer hobby, I'm embarrassed to say I never understood that cleaning the brush could actually restore the tip. Bought 99,5% IPA , and it worked like a charm.

[@Dracobyte]

There is always room to learn!

[@charlie_bear2011]

Ah great, I was scanning to see if anyone had tried the good stuff.

[@Alex-vf3io]

Scientific method brought to paint brushes, that's why I love this channel.

[@Dracobyte]

Me too!

[@mariacole7040]

Your video saved 51 of my brushes. B4 I came across your video I was sad but now I feel like a boss lol

[@GoobertownHobbies]

that's great! back to work, brushes, back to work! :-)

[@thepoorhammerpodcast]

I thought about abusing back-channels last week just to recommend you do this exact topic. Thank you! My poor abused brushes are going to be so happy.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

hehehehe, I'm still learning over here, but we're starting to get it figured out! :-)

[@SmurphofChaos]

@thepoorhammerpodcast and mine 😆

[@matthewroderique7468]

As a signwriter who uses russian sable brushes for most of my signs, use neatsfoot oil (from a saddlery shop) to keep your brushes well oiled when you re not using them, when I store mine I never know when I will need them next and its a fantastic product to stop your brushes from drying out from under use

[@Wijkert]

I am all for more brush under a microscope content!

[@FreakyGremlinDK]

I don't know why it was so satisfying to watch, but I agree

[@Dracobyte]

Me too!

[@coolbean9880]

weve moved beyond painting minis its time for painting micros

[@Nigelius]

Who else loves it when Brent deep dives on a topic and really uses that chemist brain?

[@patriarch7237]

Yep. The resin printer fluid and paint chemistry videos were great!

[@Its_Remyy]

As an artist who spent a lot of their early years in STEM, this was *so refreshing*. So much of what are considered 'trade important products' don't actually explain the science behind them beyond marketing. Please keep doing videos like this!

[@JudyFrankenbutt]

This is exactly the video I've been needing lately, after depression caused a craft hiatus where I left all my brushes unwashed and crusty for over a year. >_< And I'm so grateful it's you who made it, Goobertown! I appreciate your calm and reassuring voice so much :3

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Well, I guess it's time to get back to painting! It's good to see you :-)

[@Dracobyte]

Indeed!

[@baileyperezz]

Lol me tooooo

[@lucasthomas9184]

I have used my wife's hair straightener to fix curled synthetic tips with mixed results. I figured it wasn't really worth the trouble but might be worth looking into.

[@josephkelly2015]

Once I learned you were a Phd Chemist your videos like this became instant watch. I support a bunch of really smart chemist as part of my job and you are every bit as thorough as they are. Understanding what's happening to your brush with every paint, solvent, cleaner is eye opening compared to pseudoscience "in my experience" A lot of mini painters are amazing artist without understand why X,Y,Z gives them certain results.

[@florianpal9633]

Brent casually answering every single question regarding the painting sode of the hobby i had the last 20 years while beeing amazingly charismatic. A pleasure to watch.

[@Recca92]

This could not have come at a more perfect time. I'm new to miniatures and was using basic brushes but finally ordered some better ones. So this is a godsend.

[@carpemkarzi]

Well done. Wwaaayyyyyy back when I was in high school I had an amazing art teacher and at the end of each semester a few of us would join him to do a deep clean of the tables and brushes. As we were using acrylics we used Isopropyl to clean and recondition them. Nice to see it validated all these years later.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

nice! I bet that was a fun day of restoration hehehehe :-)

[@MSnell]

I honestly didn't know before you made these videos that Army Painter brushes use natural hair. I always thought they were just higher quality synthetics. I already thought that they offered a good value when looking at hobby-branded brushes, but that value and appreciation just went up even more.

[@ericconnor8419]

I use shampoo and hair conditioner on mine (I paint on canvas as well as miniatures) and they come out lovely and soft and springy again. The cheap stuff is best. It makes them easier to clean if you do it regularly.

[@ericconnor8419]

@@Dezkoi I never leave mine sitting in water or covered in paint, I don't smash them against the bottom of the water jar to clean, always lay and dry flat and shampoo and condition every few days they last for years. Eventually they wear down to a splayed nub and I use them for painting trees and bushes, then they graduate to drybrush university before I cut the handle down for a sculpture tool if it has not fallen apart. I get very attached to them lol I hate throwing them away it feels like a funeral.

[@DaniCal1forn1a]

Now this is an idea I'm gonna try! Some of my brushes need a deeper clean than that so I'm gonna use iso or the tiny amount of chroma brush soap I have left to get all the remaining paint and pigment out and then use some shampoo to get any residue and remaining particles out and start to re-form the point (the brush soap is great for getting just about anything out of the bristles but it also dries my skin out so much so I try not to use my fingers with it, so using the shampoo as a second cleanse means I can make sure they're clean!) - and then the conditioner can make the brushes soft again 😊

[@RoseDreamsinger]

@@ericconnor8419 Have you tried using those silicone paint pucks with the little nubs that gently separate the bristles to clean paint from the inner bristles? The ones I like come as part of a rinse cup with silicone grippers around the rim that hold your paintbrushes point-down to dry. I wish they'd been invented sooner.

[@goodnufpainting]

You have inspired me to clean a brush for the first time ever

[@zininmed98]

This was a great topic Brent! Thank you for your time and effort getting these videos out 🙂My most favourite moments are your chemistry lessons: the videos about epoxies and super glue were awesome and continue to share these with my peers several months after first coming across them. I would love to learn more about the chemistry behind both paint removing and pain thinning from you/your channel if not too much to ask. 😊

[@HectorLopezSM]

Two of my favorites, hobby science and cats!!! Love this video, great informative content!!!

[@imapwnie]

I really enjoy using "The Masters" brush cleaner. It works really well for helping a worn out brush forming a sharp point again. A container of that will last a lifetime.

[@sinner6]

This is soo helpful. Having been painting minis for years now I have never seen a video for a creator as large as you talking about this. Wonderfully helpful.

[@AndICanTalk2]

I love it so much when you get all science on a subject. So good.

[@TadashiAbashi]

Ive been using alcohol denatured with heptane i got for free from my lab, and if a brush gets too messed up, i rinse it in the alcohol then use masters brush cleaner to recondition the hairs. Ive been using the same $1 natural hair brush for a couple years and it still has a good tip!

[@GoobertownHobbies]

nice! yep that's a very reasonable system... but be careful about leaving a digital footprint about what you're taking home from work ;-)

[@TadashiAbashi]

@@GoobertownHobbies lol it's all good, it's a much smaller amount that I took than gets accounted for as lost during the extraction process we use it for. That and my bosses don't care lol. We also make finished consumer products and my bosses let me take whatever I want for myself!

[@ImaginerImagines]

So fascinating. Thank you for taking time to get into this. it really helps the hobbyist make science based decisions on how to upkeep, restore and finally when to replace brushes of all types. Much appreciated.

[@carlymilligan2749]

That was so informative, thank you! I loved seeing the bristles under the microscope. I'm super hard on my brushes since I do a lot of scumbling and pouncing. After seeing how well the natural bristles restore and how kinked the synthetic get (most of my brushes are synthetic and have very damaged tips, (I try to only used those old damaged brushes for scumbling and oiling out) I think I may need to make the switch to natural! PSA: Wear gloves when washing brushes. In the video you demoed rubbing a brush in your hand with soap to clean it. I used to do this until I was informed that, especially when combined with soap, certain pigments such as cadmiums and other heavy metals and toxic compounds can penetrate and be absorbed through the skin. Less of an concern if you're very careful choosing non-toxic pigments, but still a good practice. Ps. I just read in the comments that you're a phd chemist. Please let me know if I was misinformed about the safety concern of washing brushes without gloves.

[@travelminipainter]

I had some decent success for the care of my synthetic brushes with a combo of hot water and Mastersons brush cleaner when forming the bristles into a tip after every use to not get into the hook-tip in the first place. I leave some diluted soap in the brush to dry when forming the tip. Seems to be working rather nice with my synthetic Kolinsky imitation brushes from the 8344 series from Raphael. Been using one set of size 2-1-0 now for 3 months and almost daily use and so far I can see no sign of them wearing out and hooking is all but absent. I usually run through a set of the natural hair 8404 brushes about once a year. Considering the price difference between the 8344 and 8404, if I can make the 8344 work for at least 4 months before replacing them, I am saving money.

[@sprudlemts1542]

Yes!! A goobertown video always makes the day better!!

[@Llew2u]

Thank you, you guilted me in to a brush cleaning session before I pack in for the night :) I hadn't heard leaving the soap in the brush tips going to try that tonight

[@GoobertownHobbies]

that's the spirit! clean them brushes :-)

[@marojiv]

Exactly what i was looking for and it released a minute ago, like you knew it. Thank you Brent!

[@Avller]

Super helpful stuff! Been meaning to get better about my brush care and now i know whatll probably serve me the best!

[@myzorbos]

extra thank you to your assistants for helping give us such an informative video ;) exactly what i needed

[@andrewpalm2103]

Another excellent video, Brent. In my mind you are now the Mr. Rogers of Miniature Painting. Solid, data-based recommendations, a genial manner, and a sense of humor. (I'd also call you the Mr. Rogers of smallmouth bass fishing, but your lures are a bit on the odd side. 🙂) By the way, I use that fancy soap and conditioner in the tan plastic tin for final cleaning of my brushes at the end of a work session. While painting I use a bottle of water (of course) and a jar filled with windshield washer fluid for mild cleaning. For hard cases I also use Createx 4012 thinner. Unfortunately, as a model railroader it's still difficult to avoid getting paint above the bristles when using an old-school bottle of paint. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@TheFryPo]

Very well done video, much appreciated the microscopic demonstrations to prove a point 👍

[@omgitsbees]

the timing on this video could not have been more perfect, I am in need of finally cleaning some of my brushes, so I really appreciate this.

[@aaronbono4688]

I was looking forward to this video and as usually you do NOT disappoint. Thanks for the helpful tips!

[@krzysztofmathews738]

Very good to see this. I had actually just started using a bit of the hand sanitizer myself, so I'm glad that you find this to be a viable cleaning method. Great information!

[@deadmilkman292k]

Gave this a shot today with IPA, rescued a bunch of gw layer brushes I inherited. Thanks for the video!

[@kaz9357]

Your science background really makes this the go to video for this sort of thing. I really love your unique take on this hobby. Kudos to you Brent! Any shot you can give pointers (no pun intended) on restoring/reforming the points on brushes?

[@ger5956]

Absolutely love when you do these science based videos 😁❤️👍🏼

[@Chipsyminiatures]

Thanks for the tips Brent! Great to see how simple it can be to clean up these old brushes. I have quite a few built up, many medium dry brushes too, look forward to seeing if this may be able to restore them! Thanks

[@bigsmiles768]

Probably one of the most useful videos I've ever seen.

[@theorganicshadow]

Thanks for speaking to the effects of IPA on the bristle glue. I kept hearing people say it will dissolve it but I've never had any issues. Since everyone else is listing their routines, here's mine: immediately after a painting session I rinse everything in room temp water. Any brushes with globs of paint or paint up to the metal I hit with IPA and a cotton swab. Then all brushes go through the tan puck until they aren't leaving paint on it anymore. Only takes a few minutes each night and everything stays clean!

[@witoldskrzydlewski6827]

Can you use IPA and hot water on natural brushes?

[@theorganicshadow]

@@witoldskrzydlewski6827 I haven't had any issues with them so far but I haven't owned any natural brushes for more than a year so I don't have any long term data to back up my methods. So far so good though!

[@witoldskrzydlewski6827]

@@theorganicshadow Understood, thank you.

[@keiranclifford8471]

As a materials physicist, the evidence-based approach is *chef’s kiss*, but as a Brit, I’m horrified that you boil water in the microwave. Excellent video, lots to take away here for my own brushes!

[@robertoslama331]

Speechless. Never seen such a detailed video of its subject. Fantastic work.

[@F0XD1E]

I'm surprised at how effective the IPA was. Good video!

[@parallaxgames]

I'm glad to see this video. Tackling the idea of restoring hooked synthetics is especially helpful, at a certain point it's just not worth the effort on a cheap brush.

[@Caniswalensis]

Thank you for making this video. I really appreciate your careful science-based approach to these sorts of problems. Once again you have cut through all the folk knowledge to get to the actual truth.

[@richardokeeffe8375]

Another video I can point people to for an educated approach that makes so much sense!

[@WhyWhatWhoWhenWhyAgain]

Great video, I am about to embark on my first real foray into acrylics, and this has been substantially informative to reducing cost and experimentation. Thank you kindly.

[@HerraApina]

Thanks for this! My brushes are still in quite good condition but it's good to keep this in mind for the future.

[@hunchbackhobbyist387]

I appreciate that you've not left us hanging, and hope that you continue to with putting out a bit more regular content :)

[@MorseB]

I've had pretty good luck with the Windsor and Newton. Its nice because it works on any type of paint I could throw at it, including enamel and even wax paints.

[@Easy_Mode_Minis]

Thanks again Brent. Another awesome and useful video

[@capmastorstudios7720]

Heck yeah man! Ive been so looking forward to this video since you got the "ENHANCE" machine! So awesome to debunk and learn new stuff within the hobby!

[@isisnmagic1812]

Great video and brilliant tips, I have a collection of brush cleaning products in my collection but its good to get the science from someone who knows his stuff. Thanks Brent

[@hollyhope7227]

So glad, I found you and even had Isopa at home!!! And it really works. You made me happy!! Thanks a lot! Regards from Berlin

[@stevebrown7625]

Dude. Thank you so much. You're like a hobby tool necromancer. Thanks to you I now have about a dozen formerly dead brushes back in the game, as good as new. I'm going to see if i can tip you somehow, seeing as i'll probably now save a fortune on new brushes. Thank you again!

[@Benjiffy]

I appreciate all the sciencey terms and experiments!

[@corvusboreus2072]

Cheers man, this video is an absolute godsend for all your fellow hobbyists.

[@benjamin2629]

soothing and educational, another great trip to Goobertown

[@nctinman8775]

I always enjoy Dr. Goobs breakin' out the science

[@SinOfGin]

I really love Josonja Cleaner/Conditioner. It is the most effective option I've found without being caustic

[@user-ho9ze8hv7n]

1:13 good to see the real expect of the show giving them a proper check over!

[@olith4055]

An amazing video about parts of the hobby most people neglect or dread (me included). Thank you for that!

[@andrewbroderick9515]

Fantastic video, thank you so much for the information, it has already restored a number of my brushes to use. Loving the microscopic view, genuinely helpful and useful. Double thumbs up from me

[@jonathandavis4819]

Fantastic video, Brent. Much appreciated.

[@KaiKieschnick]

thanks for your test and your thoughts on it. Its helps a lot to see step by step try outs. Great vid :3

[@pmastroeni79]

Brent, thank you! It’s always a great time watching your vids. Reminds me of How It Works but for modelers! Well done, mate!

[@scottmarsh2991]

Best channel on KZbin!

[@svelle37]

Great video! Definitely have to try just using IPA to clean my brushes, I've always used brush soap so far. On a side note, the "don't get paint near the ferrule" tip. I'd only partially agree. Yes, it makes the brush last longer and easier to clean. However, it also makes paint application, especially on smaller brushes, much harder since the paint you have on the tip can more easily dry up and becomes harder to apply.

[@SeanHoltzman]

Thanks for this video! Been trying to take care and help brushes recover and stay more healthy and this came at a perfect time!

[@SeanHoltzman]

Also, do you think there would be a problem leaving brush soaps in for longer than overnight? I had some expensive hair brushes come in flared out of the packing tube and if I can retrain tips by leaving soap-conditioner in longer it might save that purchase

[@apeman505]

Just tried this on ten of my dead brushes that were rock solid and I cannot understate how well this worked. While not all of them form a good point anymore, they are all as silky as the day I got them, even the one I had been using to spread glue on miniature bases!! They are all synthetic brushes, and it was a mix of Golden Maple, Solve (makeup brushes), and Royal Crafter's Choice brands. One note though, of the several Royal Maple brand brushes I cleaned, one of them did have the glue dissolve and the hairs fell out of the ferrule. Not sure why it only happened on one and not the others, but I'm not too upset about it, that brush was long gone.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Good to know! I hope you get of use out of those veteran brushes :-)

[@alexander_trowbridge]

Great video. I really appreciate ur scientific approach to this video.

[@brianv769]

Great video! I regularly use IPA as part of my airbrush cleaning (I think it is 70%, not there at the moment) but never thought to use it on my brushes. I do always use brush soap since I started this hobby so that has helped keep them looking good.

[@sw33n3yto00]

Thank you. I have been waiting for this one.

[@Renokye2]

Just watched this one with the hubby and it gives me hope that we can probably repair some brushes I've been a little too rough with XD Thank you so much for this!!

[@KavehNateghi]

Such a great video for any mini painture. Thanks Goobs.

[@oil3]

As always, informative and entertaining. Thanks, Brent!

[@nicholascunningham4439]

Funnily enough, in Gunpla, we use Purple Power or other degreasers to take Plating off of certain runners when doing repaints. Gave me a giggle to see it took the plating off the brush ferrul too.

[@monsieurphysiquechimie]

soft voice, cat, liking even before watching the whole stuff

[@chaymberr_crafts]

A thing I learned from a painter master, but for normal brushes. You can use hard soap and massage it into the bristles and shape it. It will harden and this will keep your brushes in the shape. I guess it would,l work well for smaller brushes

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for this great cleaning tutorial!

[@shadow111d]

i just used ISO and it worked so good! it was so simple! thanks bro!

[@stanphee2195]

it's always good to discover other methods to clean my brushes there are certain methods that I discovered thanks to you thank you for the video 👍👍

[@user-ng7wr3he2i]

Wish I could give a golden thumbs up or something like it. One is just not enough for this kind of content.

[@matthew_thefallen]

Man, this is the ebst guide i've found online! Thank you! i'll test all these out :)

[@echodelta2426]

Awesome video Brent. This is information that everyone needs.

[@harazhangf5782]

Thanks for the experimentation and the tips.

[@Beniah107]

Love your assistant.

[@frenchii111]

I've had quite a bit of success in reshaping synthetic brush tips by holding them into the steam coming out of my kettle spout and then reshaping the tip with my hands while trying not to get burned. Since steam carries a lot mor enrgy then hot water and is actually at 100°C it might explain why it worked better.

[@pazuzu_666]

Yeah, W&N Brush cleaner and restorer is pretty serious stuff. I have had it debond the glue in the ferrule a few times (albeit on a cheaper synthetic brushes) and it always starts removing the paint and silk screening on brush handles if it drips or gets that far down. Interesting that the fumes did the same! Now I only use the Purple Super Clean for the worst offending brushes and Masters after.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

I was pretty bummed out by the laziness of the W&N brush cleaner MSDS... There are clearly some organic solvents in there that folks should be aware of.. But yeah, whatever gets the gunk out! :-)

[@triruns]

@@GoobertownHobbies next video you'll be showing us GC MS and how you determined what's actually in there...

[@GigglingGeekette]

Aw man, I also didn't realize the fumes would do that! Considering I've used the stuff for real bad decades-old crusted brushes, acrylic and oil both, it's why I've recommended it to folks 😕

[@GoobertownHobbies]

I would LOVE to do that.... but them things are expensive 🙂@@triruns

[@pazuzu_666]

@@GoobertownHobbies I was surprised at that when you mentioned it. I cannot believe it is accurate in the least.

[@cordial001]

Great video man. I like to give my nice brushes a dose of hair conditioner after cleaning and then wash/wet the bristles before I paint with them. I don't know if that extends the life of the brush, but they look nice when they're laid out on my brush rack :)

[@DiceyGuy]

Great video, got me almost to clean some of my brushes even!

[@kevinboyle538]

Useful, concise and interesting.

[@axlefoley6330]

I am glad you made this video, I have like 10L of IPA in my shed and I have some brushed in desperate need of attention.

[@JonSteitzer]

Fantastic as always Brent!

[@karaghul2851]

Great and informative video! Would love to see a similar one about whether one should wash miniatures (with for example dish soap) before priming, based on whether they're plastic/metal/resin and whether they've been handled a lot or not.

[@dochorrible7694]

Brent..... New fundraising idea.... you could use the trimmings of your luscious locks to create "Limited edition" Goobertown brushes.... $500 per.... Watch out Winsor & Newton