<p>I used paint thinner to wash and clean the brush first. And after a while, rinsed with kerosene. That worked and saved my brushes.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-01T14:14:31.477Z
2019-04-13T07:10:16.087Z
2019-04-13T07:10:16.087Z
Siva Kalidasan
<p>As an alternative, I have used a low-fume paint stripper to smother the brushes in, and then wrap in clingwrap, and let soak for several hours. (I have not tried paint thinnners: this probably works better with oil paint than others. Correct me if I am wrong.)</p>

<p><em>These may be off topic? Happy to delete.</em></p>

<p><strong>Restoring big brushes</strong>
For the really stubborn bits, I've used a heat gun on a low setting (but only on bristle brushes, not plastic filament, as I found it melts/deforms a plastic brush) will soften paint, especially plastic paint. </p>

<p>Then use a painter's comb or even a not-too-hard wire brush to remove paint. You may need to go through the process more than once.  I have also boiled brushes in water to soften the paint, and then scraped the paint out while soft.</p>

<p><strong>Cleaning artists oil bushes</strong>
I use mineral turps, and then pure soap all the way down to the ferrule (push the brush into your soapy palm with warm water). Lay on an old towel. Then to help the brush keep its shape, coat it lightly in petroleum jelly. </p>

<p>I was using SARD wonder soap, but this leaves a residue.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-29T01:05:46.997Z
2019-03-30T00:40:59.860Z
2019-03-30T00:40:59.860Z
Stefan
<p>If the brushes where used with acrylics then a soak in methylated spirits could help. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-02T07:29:59.883Z
2019-04-02T07:29:59.883Z
Hellonearthis
<p>You need a <strong>Brush Cleaner and Restorer</strong> formulated for this task. There are a few of these available, only in art supply stores; you'll want to check with the ones around you to see what you can purchase.</p>

<p>If you are in the United States, Winsor &amp; Newton makes a widely available product I have used with great results; it's formulated for dried acrylic and oil paints, but I have also used it to dissolve away dried latex (house) paint, as well as years-long set dry varnishes. With this product, you'll let the brush soak up the solution, checking periodically to monitor the progress. In a low quality brush, it may end up damaging it by damaging any glues holding the bristles in place in the ferrule, but at the point you're using a restorer on a brush, it's typically ruined anyway, so there's no risk in trying. In my experience, I've only had one or two brushes lost this way out of dozens.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, this particular product is not available outside of the United States, but other companies do make similar products that you'll be able to find by asking your friendly local art supply shop. The employees there should be able to recommend a product to you with which they're familiar.</p>

<p>Ultimately, the best option is to avoid needing a restorer in the first place; take proper care of your brushes, cleaning them right away instead of letting paints dry in them. Avoid getting paint up into the ferrule, and dry them bristles down so paint and water don't soak down into the ferrule and cause damage.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-27T13:20:16.063Z
2019-03-27T13:20:16.063Z
Allison C
<p>I have a bunch of brushes with dried paint and glue. I've tried to clean them up but they're still hard. What medium is best to restore my brushes?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-27T08:04:05.760Z
What kind of bristles, paint and glue is it? Oil? Acryllics? Paper craft glue? Mod podge? The answer depends on what exactly it is you want to remove from your brushes. And just as a side note: it's usually easier to just buy new brushes because the chemicals that can dissolve dried paint also attack the bristles and make them break.
Elmy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-27T08:10:17.330Z
Not sure of the bristles but its mostly acrylic paint and modpodge.
Mitchelle
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-27T13:20:54.683Z
Mod Podge may be removable with just a soak in water.
Allison C
<restoration><paint-brushes>
How do I clean dried brushes?
Mitchelle
# How do I clean dried brushes?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-27)

I have a bunch of brushes with dried paint and glue. I've tried to clean them up but they're still hard. What medium is best to restore my brushes?

**Tags:** restoration, paint-brushes

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What kind of bristles, paint and glue is it? Oil? Acryllics? Paper craft glue? Mod podge? The answer depends on what exactly it is you want to remove from your brushes. And just as a side note: it's usually easier to just buy new brushes because the chemicals that can dissolve dried paint also attack the bristles and make them break.  
> **username_0**: Not sure of the bristles but its mostly acrylic paint and modpodge.  
> **username_2**: Mod Podge may be removable with just a soak in water.  

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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-27. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

You need a **Brush Cleaner and Restorer** formulated for this task. There are a few of these available, only in art supply stores; you'll want to check with the ones around you to see what you can purchase.

If you are in the United States, Winsor & Newton makes a widely available product I have used with great results; it's formulated for dried acrylic and oil paints, but I have also used it to dissolve away dried latex (house) paint, as well as years-long set dry varnishes. With this product, you'll let the brush soak up the solution, checking periodically to monitor the progress. In a low quality brush, it may end up damaging it by damaging any glues holding the bristles in place in the ferrule, but at the point you're using a restorer on a brush, it's typically ruined anyway, so there's no risk in trying. In my experience, I've only had one or two brushes lost this way out of dozens.

Unfortunately, this particular product is not available outside of the United States, but other companies do make similar products that you'll be able to find by asking your friendly local art supply shop. The employees there should be able to recommend a product to you with which they're familiar.

Ultimately, the best option is to avoid needing a restorer in the first place; take proper care of your brushes, cleaning them right away instead of letting paints dry in them. Avoid getting paint up into the ferrule, and dry them bristles down so paint and water don't soak down into the ferrule and cause damage.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2019-04-01. Score: 2

I used paint thinner to wash and clean the brush first. And after a while, rinsed with kerosene. That worked and saved my brushes.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2019-03-29. Score: 1

As an alternative, I have used a low-fume paint stripper to smother the brushes in, and then wrap in clingwrap, and let soak for several hours. (I have not tried paint thinnners: this probably works better with oil paint than others. Correct me if I am wrong.)

*These may be off topic? Happy to delete.*

**Restoring big brushes**
For the really stubborn bits, I've used a heat gun on a low setting (but only on bristle brushes, not plastic filament, as I found it melts/deforms a plastic brush) will soften paint, especially plastic paint.

Then use a painter's comb or even a not-too-hard wire brush to remove paint. You may need to go through the process more than once. I have also boiled brushes in water to soften the paint, and then scraped the paint out while soft.

**Cleaning artists oil bushes**
I use mineral turps, and then pure soap all the way down to the ferrule (push the brush into your soapy palm with warm water). Lay on an old towel. Then to help the brush keep its shape, coat it lightly in petroleum jelly.

I was using SARD wonder soap, but this leaves a residue.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2019-04-02. Score: 1

If the brushes where used with acrylics then a soak in methylated spirits could help.


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