"The Masters" Brush Cleaner and Preserver

[Tom Edgerton]

Chris--

I worked out my own mixture of Turpenoid Natural and Dawn dishwashing liquid, a 50/50 mix, that's a great end-of-day brush cleaner, and it doesn't cost much--a lot cheaper than commercial artists' soaps. If the paint's a little stiff or hard, I just wet them down and let them soak a while. Works great, and rinses out of the brush well.

Sometimes I put just a spot of mineral spirit in the same mixture to give it a little cutting power, but I'm not as worried about solvents as some folks.

BTW, if you're worried about skin contact, the cheap vinyl gloves hairdressers use are good. Eliminates problems for those sensitive to latex, and they're thin enough that you can still feel what you're doing.