In addition to writing about and teaching traditional woodworking, I also build commission pieces for customers, and speak at woodworking shows and seminars. The natural bristle brush is ideal for shellac, varnish, and faux finishing of woodwork and furniture. Oil paint consists of drying oil and pigment and is more slow-drying than others. Do not dip a dirty brush directly in the solvent’s original container. Just don’t try this shortcut with any kind of oil based varnish, water based finish, or catalyzed (two part) finish, unless you like replacing brushes. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. I use denatured alcohol (known in Europe as methylated spirits) to melt the shellac flakes. I’m a big fan of shellac as a finish, for many reasons. Feature Articles, Flexner On Finishing, Flexner on Finishing Blog, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! Use the ProSeries Gel Flat Oval #6 for gel enhancements, including BRISA® enhancements. Shellac and lacquer: let it dry. All brush sizes in the 40 Series are thin 'Single Fill'(approx. Rather than spending a bunch of time and wasting a bunch of solvent cleaning out the finish left in the brush when I’m done applying, I simply put the brush aside and let the finish harden in the brush. Start by cleaning your lines with 4-6 ounces of alcohol. As far as cleaning, you will want to clean your brush decently but not completely. Since shellac will redissolve in its solvent, letting the finish harden in the brush has zero detrimental effects on the brush. Generally folks use alcohol to get about 90% of the shellac out. Jump to Latest Follow ... To finish cleaning with gasoline, follow up with a wash of hot water and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Removing this hardened residue gently and properly can help restore your acrylic nail brush so it can be used again. Cleaning Shellac discs. When you need it again, just stand it in solvent. Started by Rockosurf about 1 year ago, 8 replies. The next time that I need to use one of my shellac brushes, it’s a simple matter of giving the bristles a soak in alcohol prior to use to soften the brush back up and make it ready for use. They allow for easy pick-up and correct mix ratio. It dries fast, allowing me to apply multiple coats in a single day. (encierro/123rf.com) Same as with the brush after the first cleaning and you have put the gun back together, spray new clean solvent through the gun. Good paint brushes are worth the money, whether you're painting with latex, oil or shellac. Most videos I've seen online show people scrubbing 78s with soap, water and a plastic brush. However, there is a very simple solution to this little conundrum – don’t clean the brushes. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Classic glider design, ideal for Shellac & Varnish. Allow to dry before putting away for storage. The downside of this method is that it will take several days for the water to dry out of the brush, so you won’t be able to use it right away with any finish except a water-based finish, or the finish may blush (turn milky white). If the brush is hardened from BIN, it's trash. If you want to go to solvent based varnish flush it with lacquer thinner prior to … Bob Flexner is the author of "Flexner on Finishing," "Wood Finishing 101," and "Understanding Wood Finishing. Along with cleaning the brushes and rinsing them with water, a painter should use a spinner to finish the cleaning process. But do not use this method all the time, then your brush … Subscribe ». I gave up using brushes because of the faff of cleaning. This not only allows me to avoid cleaning the brushes, but the hardened finish also serves to protect the delicate bristles of the natural hair brushes that I like to use. Water softens shellac and can damage the wood underneath. I occasionally use a toothbrush for difficult areas. Store the brush long term by washing it in half-and-half household ammonia and water, then soap and water, then shake it out and wrap it in paper to dry. Check out the video below. Cleaning. That’s why I like to stick with shellac. Then shake the brush out to remove most of the alcohol so you don’t over-thin the shellac during the first few brush strokes. Finally, wrap the brush in its original holder or paper, and store the brush in a drawer or hang it on a hook. The ProSeries gel brush has synthetic sculpting bristles with a durable acrylic handle. Here's how the pros clean up their expensive paint brushes. Available in following sizes: 0.10 litre, 0.25 litre, 0.50 litre, 1.0 litre, 2.5 litre Best Ways to Clean Your Brush Mix some soap with ordinary water to clean it. 1st it would take quite some time to dissolve the shellac again and 2nd I think it would damage the brush over time. Shellac is a resin produced by the female lac bug on trees in India and Thailand and from the late 1800s until the advent of vinyl, it was used to produce the majority of gramophone records. Want to see this process in action? I use wipe on for all my shellac and polyeurethane finishes now. Again, press the brush several times against the bottom of the container to be more effective. This is what makes these types of finishes so “durable” but also makes them near impossible to repair without completely removing the old finish. If you have a long line set then use the ammonia and water mix to purge the last remaining shellac before using it for waterbased clears. Artist-quality liquid & powder brushes assure easy sculpting with smooth control. By the time I have the prep work done, the brush is usually soft and ready to go. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Shellac, Lacquer, and Water-Based Finishes Clean Up Easily. Extra large round tapered brush head. It typically takes about 20-30 minutes of soaking for the brush to be as good as new. Before you use it the next time, soak it in denatured alcohol for about 10 minutes to soften and dissolve any shellac on the bristles. You may need to drill a new hole closer to the bristles unless you’re using a tall container. CND® ProSeries brushes feature quality bristles and durable acrylic handles. I use a felt brush, but wouldn't hesitate to use something with soft bristles. Here are some suggestions of ways to clean and store shellac brushes. I'm a furniture maker, teacher, and author, and I share my thoughts and experiences with the goal of educating and inspiring others who are pursuing the craft of traditional woodworking. Using the brush in the methods of pre-industrial joiners and cabinetmakers methodically over the surface, so shellac. To melt the shellac again and 2nd i think it would take some! The Powerwash … cleaning may damage the brush with soap and water to most. 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