Thread: brush issue

It could be the type and brand of soap you are using. I have notices some soaps will remain in the brush longer than others. Also are you using any lather enhancers like glycerin or oils?

An occasional warm water and Vinegar soak and rinse, 30 min soak then shampoo with a good hair shampoo and a dab of conditioner works wonders for a brush.

Lately I have been combing my brushes with great results. Start at the tips to untangle the hairs then work your way down and around the brush. Comb when dry and do it gently so as to untangle and not pull out hairs. Just takes a few seconds

When combing I noticed some brushes have more dried soap than others. I suspect it is the soap brand and type, as I recently purchased several new soaps and have been sampling them. A vinegar soak and rinse, shampooing and combing make a big difference in brushes looks and feel. They also seem to lather better.

Hard water may also be an issue.

if you have hard water it can make you use way more soap in an attempt to get good lather and then the hard water can cause the soap to stick to the hairs and knot and can be difficult to rinse out thoroughly.

Yeah we have hard water. I think it was also the Baxter of California cream sample packet that I got from fendrihan. I didn't seem to lather up very well for me at all, nor did it rinse out of my brush very well.

I did another vinegar soak to get as much soap residue out as I could. Hopefully I have less issues in the future.

Anyone ever comb their brushes like elucid does?

If you have hard water, a couple of drops of Glycerin will make rich lather for you, just 2 drops, about 2 bucks in any Drug store will give you a lifetime supply.

I read about combing on another site on brush maintenance, it made a lot of sense and just takes a few seconds.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If you have hard water, a couple of drops of Glycerin will make rich lather for you, just 2 drops, about 2 bucks in any Drug store will give you a lifetime supply.

I read about combing on another site on brush maintenance, it made a lot of sense and just takes a few seconds.

I have glycerin but just haven't used it in a while.

I'm also curious about pixel's opinion on brush combing as it has crossed my mind before. I'm not sure if it would do more harm than good in the long term.

Just ran my hand along the brush and got some soap-dust clouds so I'll have to do some more cleaning again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

I have glycerin but just haven't used it in a while.

I'm also curious about pixel's opinion on brush combing as it has crossed my mind before. I'm not sure if it would do more harm than good in the long term.

Just ran my hand along the brush and got some soap-dust clouds so I'll have to do some more cleaning again tomorrow.

If your getting soap dust clouds,than it stands to reason there is soap residue on the brush,more rinsing? combing??
I never worry about such things,do not thing it makes a hill of beans differance,JMO

Try taking Ryan's advice and use some shampoo on it.

Also try picking up a gallon of distilled water and use that for lathering and as a final rinse after initially rinsing the brush thoroughly.

Distilled water is cheap so give it a go! If it doesn't do the trick, you can always have it on hand for your car's battery.

Been 30 yrs since I put water in a battery

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Been 30 yrs since I put water in a battery

I guess I should 'modern up' as none of my rigs are 'maintenance free'!

Might not hurt to use a hair conditioner on it once in awhile. Shampoo is great for cleaning it out without going the vinegar route and it smells a little better. I did this with a used brush I got off the bay once and it improved 200%. Then I thought "used?" and ripped that knot out and put a new one in . :<0)