Repairing Paint Brush Bristles Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

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Time Required

                          4 hours - 2 days

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Repairing Paint Brush Bristles
9 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Repairing Paint Brush Bristles

Identify the brush type and the level of damage:
If the brush hairs are inflexible due to hardened paint coats, proceed to Step 2.
If the brush hairs are synthetic (fraying bristles), proceed to Step 5.

Identify the brush type and the level of damage:

If the brush hairs are inflexible due to hardened paint coats, proceed to Step 2.

If the brush hairs are synthetic (fraying bristles), proceed to Step 5.

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Step 2

Fill a small cup half way with turpentine.
Soak the brush in the turpentine for 2 days.
CAUTION: Do this in a well-ventilated area. The fumes from turpentine are toxic.

Fill a small cup half way with turpentine.

Soak the brush in the turpentine for 2 days.

CAUTION: Do this in a well-ventilated area. The fumes from turpentine are toxic.

Step 3

Remove any amount of paint that may remain on the brush by moving the brush in a circular motion.

Remove any amount of paint that may remain on the brush by moving the brush in a circular motion.

Step 4

To remove remnants of turpentine on the bristles, wash the brush thoroughly in water.
After the turpentine has been completely removed, proceed to Step 7.

To remove remnants of turpentine on the bristles, wash the brush thoroughly in water.

After the turpentine has been completely removed, proceed to Step 7.

Step 5

For synthetic brushes, boil a pot of water.
CAUTION: Avoid any contact with hot objects.

For synthetic brushes, boil a pot of water.

CAUTION: Avoid any contact with hot objects.

Step 6

Place the brush in the boiling water.
Rotate the brush in the water for approximately 5 minutes.
You should begin to notice that the bristles will start to come back together from the heat and water.

Place the brush in the boiling water.

Rotate the brush in the water for approximately 5 minutes.

You should begin to notice that the bristles will start to come back together from the heat and water.

Step 7

Gently dry off the brushes using a soft towel.
Stroke the brush in an upward motion and be careful not to dig the towel through the bristles.

Gently dry off the brushes using a soft towel.

Stroke the brush in an upward motion and be careful not to dig the towel through the bristles.

Step 8

In order to retain the brush shape, use a brush tube or wrap the bristles in aluminum foil.
Within approximately three hours, the brush bristles will be back to normal.

In order to retain the brush shape, use a brush tube or wrap the bristles in aluminum foil.

Within approximately three hours, the brush bristles will be back to normal.

Step 9

Cut off excess frayed bristles (optional).
There may be a few fraying bristles left. These are harmless and will cling to the brush shape when dipped in paint.
If preferred, you may use a nail clipper to cut these hairs off.

Cut off excess frayed bristles (optional).

There may be a few fraying bristles left. These are harmless and will cling to the brush shape when dipped in paint.

If preferred, you may use a nail clipper to cut these hairs off.

Your brushes should now be usable again. Unfortunately this cannot be done too many times because the turpentine will start to damage the bristles, so make sure to regularly wash your brushes.

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                                                                                      23 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 5 other contributors

                    Ankita Bhowmik

Member since: 09/29/2015

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Team

                       Cal Poly, Team 15-7, Green Fall 2015                        

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                                            6 Guides authored

radhikacr999 - Apr 16, 2019

Is this only for synthetic brushes? What about natural hair brushes which are frayed?

Santwana Verma - Dec 30, 2019

Hey! Can you tell me what is the use of wrapping the bristles in aluminium foil?

Paul Peddie - Dec 3, 2020

The article literally says “to retain the brush shape”

John Ippoliti - Dec 7, 2021

I’ve seen other tutorials say to mix vinegar with the boiled water, would you recommend it?

Muhammad Usman Bhatti - Aug 17, 2022

Awesome guide, By the way, this guide “Can You Spray Stain With An Airless Sprayer” also contain useful information.

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team