Paint Brushes - Storing and Cleaning

[ALevelStudent]

Hi, I am an A Level Design and Technology student studying at St. John's school in Surrey. The basic specification for our A2 project is that we must find a problem that we or somebody else has and solve it.

The problem which I have come up with is a self running (not connected to any water or electricity supply) paintbrush holder which has a function which pumps water and other chemicals depending on the type of brush through the end, therefore cleaning it. Perhaps it isn't the best way to clean brushes but bieng environmentally friendly always goes down well.

I thought the best place to come to get some background knowledge and feedback about my concept would be where the artists are themselves. I do have an actually end user artist but it is always good to speak to the wider market aswell as concentrating on my particular client.

Just a few questions a would like to ask:-
-How do you currently store your paintbrushes and other art and crafts equipment?
-Do you simply clean paint brushes through rinsing them under a tap, or do you have a special machine? E.G - UV Cleaner.
-How many paint process do you personally own?
-How do you organise your paint brushes? E.G Colour Coded
-Is there a certain way paintbrushes need to be stored? E.G Moist Conditions.

This is an A level project and not something that is ever going to actually be sold.
Any other advice would be taken with open arms,
Thanks very much for your time.

[Black Spot]

Get the excess off with turps. Rinse and wash with soap using a circular motion on the ball of the thumb until paint is removed. You have to be gentle as brushes can get expensive. The paint needs to be removed right down to the base, so load of soap and water – not very environmentally friendly. Store upright in a can – bristles up, or rolled up in a pouch. No organisation – it’s easy to see what’s in the can. Not in moist conditions as that can attract mould. Also water in the brushes will make them less effective for painting oils as it can’t pick up enough paint. Some staining is acceptable.

Anything that is less labour intensive would be welcomed if it didn’t damage the bristles. Sometimes you get fond of a brush for no other reason other than that you can paint with it and it feels right.

[Craig D]

Black Spots washing refers to painting with oils. (The using of turpentine and soap)
If you are using watercolours or acrylic just water will do.

[dark eagle]

I just put it in warm water for a while and most of the paint comes off then i take if the leftovers with my hands. I think a good idea for your project is to have a "whirlpool" effect in water as that would take off most of the paint and you can have it linked to something which you turn to make the wheel turn.

[dark eagle]

I just put it in warm water for a while and most of the paint comes off then i take if the leftovers with my hands. I think a good idea for your project is to have a "whirlpool" effect in water as that would take off most of the paint and you can have it linked to something which you turn to make the wheel turn.

[Wasker]

I use turp and then warm water and soap, then I hang them from a small clothline in my room, upside down, with clippers and if I wont be using them for a week or so, I store them in an old marmelade (without bits) jar.

[Flake]

Just a few questions a would like to ask:-
1-How do you currently store your paintbrushes and other art and crafts equipment?
2-Do you simply clean paint brushes through rinsing them under a tap, or do you have a special machine? E.G - UV Cleaner.
3-How many paint process do you personally own?
4-How do you organise your paint brushes? E.G Colour Coded
5-Is there a certain way paintbrushes need to be stored? E.G Moist Conditions.


1- Brushes in a jar, paint in a drawer, boards, canvases etc stacked next to easel/palette.
2- Water is fine for acrylic, watercolour, gouache etc, for oils turps then soap and water.
3- I assume you mean brushes? Maybe 30 in useable condition, probably another dozen lying around ruined somewhere.
4- 3 categories- Clean, currently in use, soaking in a jar of turps being cleaned.
5- Bristle end up.

[HunterKiller_]

Technically, it'd probably be best to hang all brushes with the hair down, so gravity would keep them shaped as they dry, but only chinese squirrel mops come with the appropriate parts to allow for hanging

You could loop a string and tape it firmly to the end of your brush.

[ALevelStudent]

Thanks very much for all of your replies. They have been extreme useful and will play a part in my consumer research.

When I come up with the concept that I am actually going to manufacture I will report back and perhaps publish CAD designs.

Once again, thanks for your time.