Well, the bristles completely came out -in one solid clump (glad I used a trash brush) when I went to dry it...was soaking a little more than 24 hours. Needless to say I won't be soaking my good brushes.
@PandawdyBob My theory is that it soaked down into the ferrule and loosened the glue holding the hairs in it. I think the key is not letting the brushes soak up to the metal ferrule...but not going to be doing any "soaking" with this method anyway. It was only a ratty cheap brush, I had to know before using this method on my good brushes.
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I should have mentioned, if you have any brushes with very soft hair, you will want to avoid this method of cleaning. Alexander Art sells a hake brush that's used for blending. The bristles are very soft, and submerging it in baby oil would almost certainly ruin it. It would never be the same again.
@PandawdyBob Then it's safe to assume hog hair bristles would be OK. I would think the softer synthetic brushes would get ruined by this method as well (not that I use many of those).
Again, thanks for the demonstration and thanks for the talk back on my replies...it has been helpful.
This will clean ALL kinds of oil paint (baby oil) not just the B. Ross brand paints? The only reason I ask is I notice you are a wet on wet instructor, I haven't painted wet on wet in about 14 years (it was a great introduction to painting for me but went on with more traditional methods).
I could see where this would be a problem with the "bigger" brushes like 1/2 or larger (I rarely use brushes that large nowadays). BTW- Can you suspend the brushes in the baby oil...would that create any sort of problem?
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I'm not certain what you mean. If you mean just sitting the brush in baby oil and leaving there for a while, I would not do that. I think it might weaken the bristles and it could rot the wood.
@PandawdyBob I have a brush hanger that suspends the brush where it doesn't touch the bottom of the jar...i do this with turps and it works...but you think the baby oil would weaken the hairs if only soaking up to the ferrule?
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I am guessing that you do this as a means of conditioning the brush? With baby oil, it's not really necessary. The oil never really dries. So it's like cleaning and conditioning at the same time.
@PandawdyBob I am conducting an experiment with some of my ratty brushes...(they have been soaking for 24 hours) Will let you know what happens to them--if hairs fall out or if there is any flaring.
@FORMETOKNOWONLY Cool I would really like to know how that turns out. I don't think the bristles will flare out, but I think they could become weak and bend easily.
@FORMETOKNOWONLY That is something you have to keep in mind. You have to remove as much baby oil as possible from the brush before using it again. Not a big problem with small brushes but the larger ones, you have to be careful.
@samthomas31 I recommend you check with your city or waste collection company. I haven't used real thinner in so long I haven't had to worry about it.
@PandawdyBob What do you use to clean brush while your painting?
By the way thanks for the baby oil idea. Its a good after painting clean up, better than using paint thinner. Baby oil does great job conditioning to brushes. I can see the baby oil extending the life of my brushes.
@samthomas31 For smaller brushes, baby oil works fine if you need to clean while painting. With the bigger brushes, I either clean them very carefully with baby oil, or use different brushes for light and dark colors. Usually you can wipe enough of the color from the brush using a rag or paper towel that you don't really need to clean it. You have to use your own judgment with that. The only other alternative is to go with thinner or a citrus cleaner.
You guys can also use Eco-house Mild citrus thinner, if you are worried about harmful fumes. You can read the MSDS on and its the one of the best, safe, thinner out there.
The safest and best and non-harmful is Zest-it. Its made in the UK and is very safe. The best on the market. The only way to get it, is online and have it shipped to your house from the UK. Read the MSDS on it, its amazing on how safe it is.
@samthomas31 You can also use Turpenoid Natural. I have a friend in California that uses it exclusively and he has had a lot of success with it. It's not cheap, but performs well.
@agentike2 Baby oil never dries up. I would end up using a large amount of towels, especially with the bigger brushes. For the smaller brushes, a normal towel would work.
Can someone tell me where I can dispose of my rags that have paint on them? My teacher told me that you aren't supposed to throw stuff that has oil paint on it in the trash because it can soak into the soil and contaminate the water supply. When I was in class we used to throw rags in this toxic waste container, but now I'm painting at home so I don't know what I should do.
@fictionalize If you use Alexander Oil paints, you don't have to worry much about it because they are non toxic. The mediums are not non toxic, but if you need to be 100% non toxic to make disposal of your paints easier, there are solutions. Aleaxnder oil paints is the first step.
@thyrael41 What kind of difference are you thinking about? For wet on wet oil painting, you need a very firm oil paint. If you happen to have oils that are not totally non toxic, you can use them but you need to follow the manufacturers recommendations for handling.
Murphy's Oil soap is another good way to clean them and then wrap them tightly to dry in the proper shape. I use this method here and the oil soap at times as well.
SO this is just baby oil? that would be amazing! i'm just getting into painting and i'm already sick of the thinners.
I do have one question though, does the oil have any effect on the paint itself if you are to wash a brush mid way in a painting and re use it without it being completely dry?
very cool.....how on earth did you know that baby oil would work....its like me just saying...hhhhmmmm i think i will just use crisco oil cus its cheaper.....well you are the artist....i have watched many of your videos and have learned an awful lot....i believe i might start ordering materials from you if that is possible...let me know....
I didn't even see the end of your comment. I do order things for people. I generally give a discount on Alexander materials. Contact me if interested.
I am the one who started to do it in this style of painting for I saw a suggestion on a yahoo list of a doing this in a smaller way not in the wet in wet style. I can't stand thinner and I thought of using it in a bucket and now people made the idea even better than I had and the person I read about.. Then an artist tested it and improved on it as Chad has done here. I like the squeezing of the paper towel Idea. Artists learn from each other.
Is this method consistent across types of brushes and brands of oil paint? I use Bob Ross brushes and paints, as well as more traditional stuff, and I find some cleaning products work well for some but not so well for others.
It should work great with Bob Ross oils. The only situation where you might have a problem is using baby oil to clean water miscible oils. I have never used water miscible oils so I don't know how that would react with baby oil.
If you want to try wet on wet oil painting, let me know. You'll need some thick paints and certain brushes, but it's the easiest method for oil painting.
Where did you get the idea for baby oil? I've never seen that recommended. I use walnut oil for artists but it's not very cheap =)
opcomment 2 days ago
Well, the bristles completely came out -in one solid clump (glad I used a trash brush) when I went to dry it...was soaking a little more than 24 hours. Needless to say I won't be soaking my good brushes.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY That's terrible. Why do you think that happened? My guess is the oil got into the wood and ruined it?
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
@PandawdyBob My theory is that it soaked down into the ferrule and loosened the glue holding the hairs in it. I think the key is not letting the brushes soak up to the metal ferrule...but not going to be doing any "soaking" with this method anyway. It was only a ratty cheap brush, I had to know before using this method on my good brushes.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I should have mentioned, if you have any brushes with very soft hair, you will want to avoid this method of cleaning. Alexander Art sells a hake brush that's used for blending. The bristles are very soft, and submerging it in baby oil would almost certainly ruin it. It would never be the same again.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
@PandawdyBob Then it's safe to assume hog hair bristles would be OK. I would think the softer synthetic brushes would get ruined by this method as well (not that I use many of those).
Again, thanks for the demonstration and thanks for the talk back on my replies...it has been helpful.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
This will clean ALL kinds of oil paint (baby oil) not just the B. Ross brand paints? The only reason I ask is I notice you are a wet on wet instructor, I haven't painted wet on wet in about 14 years (it was a great introduction to painting for me but went on with more traditional methods).
Thanks in advance.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY It should work with any kind of artist oil paint.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
@PandawdyBob Thanks for the reply. Happy painting man.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
I could see where this would be a problem with the "bigger" brushes like 1/2 or larger (I rarely use brushes that large nowadays). BTW- Can you suspend the brushes in the baby oil...would that create any sort of problem?
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I'm not certain what you mean. If you mean just sitting the brush in baby oil and leaving there for a while, I would not do that. I think it might weaken the bristles and it could rot the wood.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
@PandawdyBob I have a brush hanger that suspends the brush where it doesn't touch the bottom of the jar...i do this with turps and it works...but you think the baby oil would weaken the hairs if only soaking up to the ferrule?
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY I am guessing that you do this as a means of conditioning the brush? With baby oil, it's not really necessary. The oil never really dries. So it's like cleaning and conditioning at the same time.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
@PandawdyBob I am conducting an experiment with some of my ratty brushes...(they have been soaking for 24 hours) Will let you know what happens to them--if hairs fall out or if there is any flaring.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY Cool I would really like to know how that turns out. I don't think the bristles will flare out, but I think they could become weak and bend easily.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
Can you wash brushes with soap and water after cleaning them in the baby oil? Will that get the baby oil out?
FORMETOKNOWONLY 6 months ago
Don't you have to worry about the baby oil mixing with the oil paint when you go to paint with them? I am considering doing this.
Can you wash with water and soap after using the baby oil? Thanks.
FORMETOKNOWONLY 7 months ago
@FORMETOKNOWONLY That is something you have to keep in mind. You have to remove as much baby oil as possible from the brush before using it again. Not a big problem with small brushes but the larger ones, you have to be careful.
PandawdyBob 6 months ago
Gamsol is the best thinner if you don't want harmful vapours
hooboo77 8 months ago
How do you dispose of the baby oil when you have cleaned the brushed?? Thanks x
lelijoji 11 months ago
What is a safe way to dispose of thinner and the sediment that is collected under the screen?
samthomas31 1 year ago
@samthomas31 I recommend you check with your city or waste collection company. I haven't used real thinner in so long I haven't had to worry about it.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
@PandawdyBob What do you use to clean brush while your painting?
By the way thanks for the baby oil idea. Its a good after painting clean up, better than using paint thinner. Baby oil does great job conditioning to brushes. I can see the baby oil extending the life of my brushes.
samthomas31 1 year ago
@samthomas31 For smaller brushes, baby oil works fine if you need to clean while painting. With the bigger brushes, I either clean them very carefully with baby oil, or use different brushes for light and dark colors. Usually you can wipe enough of the color from the brush using a rag or paper towel that you don't really need to clean it. You have to use your own judgment with that. The only other alternative is to go with thinner or a citrus cleaner.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
You guys can also use Eco-house Mild citrus thinner, if you are worried about harmful fumes. You can read the MSDS on and its the one of the best, safe, thinner out there.
The safest and best and non-harmful is Zest-it. Its made in the UK and is very safe. The best on the market. The only way to get it, is online and have it shipped to your house from the UK. Read the MSDS on it, its amazing on how safe it is.
samthomas31 1 year ago
@samthomas31 You can also use Turpenoid Natural. I have a friend in California that uses it exclusively and he has had a lot of success with it. It's not cheap, but performs well.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
Is baby oil the same thing as mineral oil?
TomofHelatrobus 1 year ago
@TomofHelatrobus Yeah it's pretty much the same.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
why not just use towels instead of paper towels?
agentike2 1 year ago
@agentike2 Baby oil never dries up. I would end up using a large amount of towels, especially with the bigger brushes. For the smaller brushes, a normal towel would work.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
Thanks,no more sucking turps fumes that's great!
MrStevie57 1 year ago
Can someone tell me where I can dispose of my rags that have paint on them? My teacher told me that you aren't supposed to throw stuff that has oil paint on it in the trash because it can soak into the soil and contaminate the water supply. When I was in class we used to throw rags in this toxic waste container, but now I'm painting at home so I don't know what I should do.
fictionalize 1 year ago
@fictionalize If you use Alexander Oil paints, you don't have to worry much about it because they are non toxic. The mediums are not non toxic, but if you need to be 100% non toxic to make disposal of your paints easier, there are solutions. Aleaxnder oil paints is the first step.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
@PandawdyBob is there any difference between toxic and non toxic oils??
thyrael41 1 year ago
@thyrael41 What kind of difference are you thinking about? For wet on wet oil painting, you need a very firm oil paint. If you happen to have oils that are not totally non toxic, you can use them but you need to follow the manufacturers recommendations for handling.
PandawdyBob 1 year ago
Murphy's Oil soap is another good way to clean them and then wrap them tightly to dry in the proper shape. I use this method here and the oil soap at times as well.
SpiritLadyArtist 1 year ago
SO this is just baby oil? that would be amazing! i'm just getting into painting and i'm already sick of the thinners.
I do have one question though, does the oil have any effect on the paint itself if you are to wash a brush mid way in a painting and re use it without it being completely dry?
silviaman99 2 years ago 2
Not if you squeeze it out as he shows you. Otherwise if you leave it in yes it can. I had no issue with using baby oil myself.
SpiritLadyArtist 1 year ago
Fantastic , no more headaches!!!!! I am going out right now an get some. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge.
gamster96 2 years ago 2
Thank you so much for this tip. I really needed it. Odorless Turpenoid fumes really bother me even in a well ventilated space.
wildmindgirl 2 years ago 3
very cool.....how on earth did you know that baby oil would work....its like me just saying...hhhhmmmm i think i will just use crisco oil cus its cheaper.....well you are the artist....i have watched many of your videos and have learned an awful lot....i believe i might start ordering materials from you if that is possible...let me know....
moonlightgarden12am 2 years ago 3
A lot of people use baby to clean brushes. I gave it a try and it worked out great.
PandawdyBob 2 years ago
I didn't even see the end of your comment. I do order things for people. I generally give a discount on Alexander materials. Contact me if interested.
PandawdyBob 2 years ago
I am the one who started to do it in this style of painting for I saw a suggestion on a yahoo list of a doing this in a smaller way not in the wet in wet style. I can't stand thinner and I thought of using it in a bucket and now people made the idea even better than I had and the person I read about.. Then an artist tested it and improved on it as Chad has done here. I like the squeezing of the paper towel Idea. Artists learn from each other.
SpiritLadyArtist 1 year ago
Is this method consistent across types of brushes and brands of oil paint? I use Bob Ross brushes and paints, as well as more traditional stuff, and I find some cleaning products work well for some but not so well for others.
mattthematchman 2 years ago 3
It should work great with Bob Ross oils. The only situation where you might have a problem is using baby oil to clean water miscible oils. I have never used water miscible oils so I don't know how that would react with baby oil.
PandawdyBob 2 years ago
I doubt I would even try with those type paints. Water and soap should do fine.
SpiritLadyArtist 1 year ago
what made you use baby oil?
artofbrandont 2 years ago 3
thank you, this was very helpful ! =D
TwilightFlip 2 years ago
cool i did not now that baby oil will do that mabey i will give oil paint's a try thanks
bankmaoney 2 years ago
If you want to try wet on wet oil painting, let me know. You'll need some thick paints and certain brushes, but it's the easiest method for oil painting.
PandawdyBob 2 years ago
Good tip on not squeezing the brush with the paper towel and then pulling. I ripped my #10 painting knife right out of the handle like that.
kdubya05 2 years ago
thanks one more time for all your xcellent work :):)
psychodelicdragon 2 years ago
Thanks for the tip. I can't handle the fumes from even the oderless thinner (which isn't really oderless) and the baby oil tip is great.
yoyogagirl 2 years ago