I have no problem cleaning enamel off my brushes, I use Revell paint cleaner. Not so easy with acrylics though. How should they be cleaned?
I use water mostly. Lately I got some brush soap at the art store and add a drop or two of that to my little cup of water!
You’re having trouble cleaning acrylics??? What are you using?
Acrylics, for the most part, are water soluble, so the surest way is to mix a little soapy water, and wash your brushes in that, then use some clean water to rinse. Not sure whether you have a product called “Windex” over the pond there, but that’s another great thing to wash acrylics, as it’ll disolve them.
Acrylics can be a pain if left to dry. Trick is to clean them right away. Water is good enough. I have found a cleaner called water soluable Aquasol. Good art stor should have it. Or on line here in the states at www.dickblick.com.
Good luck…Bud
Thanks everyone! I’ll try water with some soap in it
Bud, you were right 100%! I was painting some acrylics, and those brushes that I washed within a short space of time were perfect, but those I left for even half an hour resisted being washed. I found that when painting with acrylics I can’t just use the brush for ages on end. Instead, every so often, I dip them in a container of water, and shake off the paint. Perfect! Actually, it’s easier, and less smelly, than using enamels, and the paint is dry in 15 minutes (not 6 hours). I think I’m becoming an acyrlics convert…!
How about isopropyl alcohol?
It cleans very well.
Mike
i always buy the Model Master Acryl Dried Paint Solvent. comes in the same glass container that testor airbrush thinner comes in. this stuff don’t play when it comes to acrylic paint, wet or dry. i liken it to the “lacquer thinner” of acrylic paints. it smell horrible though, make sure you have good ventilation when using it, especially if you shoot some through your airbrush. later.
Cleaning with soapy water sounds good. But what about alcohol? Any better or is water good enough?
Also, how do you guys thin acrylics for washes or airbrushing…do you use water or alcohol?
for most acrylics like MM and Tamiya either alchohol, acrylic thinner or the such is used. Also some people use lacquer thinner to thin acrylics but never thried that one…
for Vallejo acrylics either their thinner or distilled water.
Although you can clean brushes with acryilic on them in water, it doesn’t make a good solvent (except with Vallejo as noted)… although i am sure someone has a water mixture they use and will be along shortly to nay say me… [;)]
Once acrylic paint dries it can be real tough to clean with just just water so I use Mr Muscle Window & Glass cleaner. It’s a nasty green colour so you can’t miss it in the supermarket. It’s also great for stripping parts of paint f you want to redo them!! I just soak them in the glass cleaner for a few minutes and then use a tooth brush and viola, just like new!
I would just get out the lacquer thinner and be done with it. [:D]
Mike