21 products
Spalter Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-24
GLZ-24_Size-040
Regular price $9.75SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
40 | .4" / 9mm | 1.6" / 40mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
50 | .4" / 9mm | 2" / 50mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
80 | .4" / 9mm | 3.1" / 80mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
100 | .4" / 9mm | 4" / 100mm | 1.6" / 41mm | |
150 | .4" / 9mm | 6" / 150mm | 1.8" / 46mm | |
200 | .4" / 9mm | 8" / 200mm | 1.9" / 47mm | |
250 | .4" / 9mm | 9.9" / 250mm | 1.8" / 46mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Polytop Synthetic |
BRUSH HOLD |
Drummer's Hold, "Quack Motion" |
USAGE |
Strie; Varnishing |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden flat short |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Spalter Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-07
GLZ-07_Size040
Regular price $9.50The spalter is one of the most used tools in our decorative brush kit. Unlike the average cheap brush, our spalter has a thick row (1/3 inch) of short hair that is densely packed with a bristle/nylon blend for ultimate performance and control for today's water mediums. The smaller sizes have a variety of uses, from basecoats to final glazing, 'stretching' to softening. Available in 8 sizes. Amazing for entire wall strie or criss-cross.
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 50% natural bristle
- stretch glaze for ultimate consistency
- Softens unwanted brush/roller marks
- Excellent for applying thin varnish and waxes
- Fine/subtle strie
- See GLZ-5 for more information
- Water - Wash with soap, Oil: Thinned & wash w/ soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
40 | .4" / 9mm | 1.6" / 40mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
60 | .4" / 9mm | 2.4" / 60mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
80 | .4" / 9mm | 3.1" / 80mm | 1.4" / 36mm | |
100 | .4" / 9mm | 4" / 100mm | 1.6" / 41mm | |
150 | .4" / 9mm | 6" / 150mm | 1.8" / 46mm | |
200 | .4" / 9mm | 8" / 200mm | 1.9" / 47mm | |
250 | .4" / 9mm | 9.9" / 250mm | 1.8" / 46mm | |
300 | .4" / 9mm | 11.8" / 300mm | 1.7" / 44mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Drummer's Hold, "Quack Motion" |
USAGE |
Soften roller marks on base coat & varnish applications; Moire |
MEDIUM |
Water or Oil |
FERRULE |
Copper |
HANDLE |
Wooden flat short |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Original Stubby Spalter Brush (Nylon, Bristle) | GLZ-07D
GLZ-7D_Size-040
Regular price $9.50The spalter is one of the most used tools in our decorative brush kit. Unlike the average chip brush, our spalter has a thick row (1/3 inch) of short hair that is densely packed with a bristle/nylon blend for ultimate performance and control for today's water mediums. The smaller sizes have a variety of uses, from basecoats to final glazing, 'stretching' to softening. Available in 6 sizes.
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 50% natural bristle
- stretch glaze for ultimate consistency
- Softens unwanted brush/roller marks
- Excellent for applying thin varnish and waxes
- Fine/subtle strie
- Application/Usage: stretch; soften roller marks on basecoat & varnish applications; moire
- Preferred Medium: Oil/Water
- Brush Ferrule/Handle: copper, wooden flat short
- Brush Hair Type: Natural Bristle/Nylon blend
- Brush Hold: Drummer's Hold, "Quack Motion"
- Brush Care: Water: Wash with soap, Oil: Thinned & wash w/ soap
- Hair Length: 1.5-1.7" (38-45mm), 2" (51mm)
- Dia./width: 1.6" (40mm), 2.2" (60mm), 3.1" (80mm), 4", 6" (150mm), 8" (200mm)
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
PRO Pointed Glazing Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-45
GLZ-45_Size-00000
Regular price $11.50NEW! Our pointed water glazer has excellent line-cutting capabilities. Also known as a sash brush, this is a modern replica of the classic bristle/nylon version (GLZ-2). Available in 7 sizes.
- SOFT, Blue Polytop synthetic fiber
- Pointed shape allows for precise application
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for glazing stiles/rails, baseboard, and dentil molding
- Larger sizes best for glazing panels for faux marble/wood
- Small sizes for murals, and glazing tiny areas like mullions, dentils & window casing
- Also used to sketch wood heartgrain, & primary veins
- Wash with Soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | HAIR LENGTH |
00000 | .45" / 11mm |
1.9" / 48mm |
|
000 | .6" / 15mm | 2.1" / 53mm | |
0 | .7" / 18mm | 2.3" / 58mm | |
2 | .83" / 21mm | 2.6" / 66mm | |
4 | .98" / 25mm | 2.9" / 73mm | |
6 | 1.2" / 29mm | 3" / 77mm | |
8 | 1.4" / 34mm | 3.2" / 81mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze and base coat |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Original Pointed Glazing Brush (Bristle) | GLZ-04D
GLZ-04D_Size-04
Regular price $25.00Our pointed bristle glazer will surely assist in your glazing with its excellent line cutting capabilities. It as a 'sash', this sturdy brush can 'cut' a perfect line, work in tight corners, & accurately glaze your woodgraining or faux marble projects.
- High quality bristle keeps it's shape
- Pointed shape allows for precise application
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Can be used in oil/water when dedicated (learn more)
- Perfect for glazing stiles/rails, baseboard, and dentil molding
- Larger sizes best for glazing panels for woodgraining
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE
|
Natural Bristle
|
BRUSH HOLD
|
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold
|
USAGE
|
Precisely applying glaze and basecoat; woodgraining; faux marble
|
MEDIUM
|
Oil or Water
|
FERRULE
|
Copper
|
HANDLE
|
Wooden round long
|
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
4 |
" / mm |
" / mm |
" / mm |
|
8 |
" / mm |
" / mm |
" / mm |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Original Domed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-01D
GLZ-01D_Size-02
Regular price $19.00Our domed water glazer is the work horse of decorative painting. This is our highest level of quality. This is a modern replica of the classic full bristle version.
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Slightly domed shape for full coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Large size can glaze an entire wall with speed
- Application/Usage: applying glaze and basecoat; stippling; adding texture
- Preferred Medium: Water
- Brush Ferrule/Handle: Tin, wooden round long
- Brush Hold: Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold
- Hair Length: 2-3" (60-72mm)
- Dia./width: .5-1.25" (25-32mm)
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
PRO Domed Glazing Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-34
GLZ-34_Size-02
Regular price $14.50NEW! Blue POLYTOP BRUSH. The domed water glazer is the work horse of decorative painting. This is a modern replica of the classic bristle/nylon blend version.
- SOFT, Blue POLYTOP synthetic fiber
- Slightly domed shape for full coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Large size can glaze an entire wall with speed
- Use only in water mediums
- Wash with Soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | HAIR LENGTH |
2 | .86" / 22mm | 2.5" / 64mm | |
4 | 1" / 26mm | 2.5" / 64mm | |
6 | 1.2" / 29mm | 2.8" / 72mm | |
8 | 1.3" / 33mm | 3.1" / 78mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Blue Polytop Synthetic |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze & base coat, stippling, adding texture |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
PRO Domed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-31
GLZ-31_Size-02
Regular price $14.50Our domed water glazer is the work horse of decorative painting. The Pro SERIES is a high level of quality. The EXTRA FINE Nylon/Bristle fiber is a nylon blend replica of the classic full bristle version (GLZ-3).
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Slightly domed shape for full coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Large size can glaze an entire wall with speed
- Wash with Soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | HAIR LENGTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
2 | .9" / 23mm | 2.3" / 59mm | 0.9"/25mm | |
4 | 1" / 27mm | 2.9" / 69mm |
1"/26mm |
|
6 | 1.2" / 32mm | 3.1" / 79mm |
1.2"/32mm |
|
8 | 1.3" / 34mm | 3.1" / 79mm |
1.3"/34mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze & base coat, stippling, adding texture |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Original Domed Glazing Brush (Bristle) | GLZ-03D
GLZ-03D_Size-04
Regular price $24.00This original design is ingenious in it's rounded shape and thick hair. The hand tied red, cotton string is handsomely traditional in this model. Our natural bristle glazing brushes should be a standard item in your decorative painting kit.
- High quality bristle keeps it's shape
- Slightly domed shape for fast coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Can be used in oil/water when dedicated (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Works well painting basecoats
- Glaze panels with speed
- With size 8, glaze entire wall - applies better than a roller!
- Description: Bristle hair for OIL/WATER mediums
- Brush Care: Water: Wash with soap, Oil: Thinned & wash w/ soap
- Hair Length: 3-3.5" (76-90mm)
- Dia./width: 1-1.25" (25-32mm)
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
4 | " / mm | " / mm |
" / mm |
|
8 | " / mm | " / mm |
" / mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze and base coat; adding texture; rough stipple |
MEDIUM |
Oil, Water |
FERRULE |
Copper |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Ultimate Domed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-01
GLZ-01_Size-04
Regular price $19.00Our domed water glazer is the work horse of decorative painting. This is our highest level of quality. This is a modern replica of the classic full bristle version (GLZ-3).
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Slightly domed shape for full coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Large size can glaze an entire wall with speed
- Brush Care: Wash with soap
- Hair Length: 2-3" (60-72mm)
- Dia./width: .5-1.25" (25-32mm)
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
4 | 1"/26mm | 1"/26mm |
2.8"/72mm |
|
8 | 1.2"/32mm | 1.2"/32mm |
3.2"/82mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze and basecoat; stippling; adding texture |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
PRO Pointed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-41
GLZ-41_Size-000
Regular price $12.50Our pointed water glazer will surely assist in your glazing with its excellent line cutting capabilities. The PRO SERIES is our extra fine / highest level of quality series. Also known as a sash brush, this is a modern replica of the classic bristle version (GLZ-4).
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Pointed shape allows for precise application
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for glazing stiles/rails, baseboard, and dentil molding
- Larger sizes best for glazing panels for faux marble/wood
- Small sizes for murals, and glazing tiny areas like mullions, dentils & window casing
- Also used to sketch wood heartgrain, & primary veins
- Wash with soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | HAIR LENGTH |
000 | .4" / 11mm | 2.2" / 56mm | |
0 | .8 / 20mm | 2.4" / 62mm | |
2 | .9" / 22mm | 2.8" / 70mm | |
4 | 1" / 26mm | 3" / 75mm | |
6 | 1.2" / 31mm | 3.3" / 84mm | |
8 | 1.3" / 34mm | 3.5" / 89mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold |
USAGE |
Applying glaze and base coat |
MEDIUM |
Water or Oil |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Blue Sampling Paint Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-28
GLZ-28
Regular price $7.00Thin, square, long-handled economy brush
. Classic square shape for thicker mediums such as paint and loose texture. Our brushes are high-quality substitutes for paint store brands. These square, basecoaters will prove to be very helpful in your brush kit.
- Slim 1/4-1/2 inch thick, 100% BLUE POLYTOP synthetic fiber
- Works well for glazing and stippling
- Perfect basecoat brush for small areas like painting electrical outlets, plates, and samples
- Excellent for base painting, varnishing and applying thin plaster
- Thin, square, long-handled economy brush
- Brush Care: Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
- Leaves no brush marks in latex
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
|
" / mm |
" / mm |
" / mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural/ Synthetic |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil hold |
USAGE |
Water |
MEDIUM |
|
FERRULE |
|
HANDLE |
|
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Dusting Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-22
GLZ-22
Regular price $19.00Have a designated duster, and save your finest brushes from wear. Try our ergonomic nylon duster to help support a professional finish. Make dusting a pleasant and necessary habit. Dust is the most common cause of a grainy surface. Go for quality - sand and then dust between every phase of decorative painting. Dust every surface!
- Classic Banana Shape
- 100% strong blue POLYTOP
- 4 rows of fiber, almost 1 inch thick
- Ergonomic banana shape
- A softer version than Deluxe Duster - great for delicate surfaces.
- Fits well in your back pocket
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
|
8" / 203mm | 2.4" / 61mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Polytop Synthetic |
BRUSH HOLD |
Baseball Hold |
USAGE |
Dusting before each step in decorative painting |
MEDIUM |
Oil or Water |
FERRULE |
N/A |
HANDLE |
Wooden "boxy" banana shape |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Dusting Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-21
GLZ-21
Regular price $17.00Have yourself a designated, quality dust brush and make dusting a pleasant and necessary habit. Dust is the most common cause of a grainy surface. Go for quality - sand and then dust between every phase of decorative painting. Dust every surface!
- 5 flat rows of hearty, black bristle for extra dust collection
- 1.2 inches thick
- Ergonomic banana shape
- Great for wall and baseboard dusting
- Fits in your back pocket
- Check out our new Blue POLYTOP Duster
- Brush Care: Clean with a damp cloth
SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
0.3"/9mm |
3.1"/80mm |
1.6"/43mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon Blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Baseball Hold |
USAGE |
Dusting before each step in decorative painting |
MEDIUM |
Water or Oil |
FERRULE |
N/A |
HANDLE |
wooden "boxy" banana shape |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Staining Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-51
GLZ-51_Small
Regular price $35.00Originally designed to apply oil stain on floors and apply paint on ceilings, this densely packed brush is great for applying glaze to large walls, floors, & ceilings. This blue POLYTOP stainer is a much softer version than the bristle version. Available in 2 sizes.
- Perfect when speedy application is a must for large areas
- Works as a heavy strie brush
- Can work heavy paint or plaster quickly
- Great for hand-painted ceiling
- Creates a natural metal patina effect when used as a stippler
- Description: Classic replica with modern soft, Blue POLYTOP fiber
- Brush Care: Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
S |
" / mm |
" / mm |
" / mm |
|
L |
" / mm |
" / mm |
" / mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural / Synthetic |
BRUSH HOLD |
Pencil hold |
USAGE |
|
MEDIUM |
|
FERRULE |
|
HANDLE |
|
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Ultimate Pointed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-02
GLZ-02_Size-04
Regular price $27.00Our pointed water glazer will surely assist in your glazing with its excellent line cutting capabilities. The ULTIMATE SERIES is our highest level of quality. Also known as a sash brush, this is a modern replica of the classic bristle version (GLZ-4).
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Pointed shape allows for precise application
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for glazing stiles/rails, baseboard, and dentil molding
- Larger sizes best for glazing panels for faux marble/wood
- Small sizes for murals, and glazing tiny areas like mullions, dentils & window casing
- Also used to sketch wood heartgrain, & primary veins
SIZE TRANSLATION
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
2 |
0.8"/21mm |
0.8"/21mm |
2"/51mm |
|
4 |
0.9"/25mm |
0.9"/25mm |
2.9"/74mm |
|
8 |
1.2"/32mm |
1.2"/32mm |
3.4"/86mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
BRUSH HOLD |
Conductor's Hold, Pencil Hold |
USAGE |
Precisely applying glaze and basecoat; woodgraining; faux marble |
MEDIUM |
Water |
FERRULE |
Tin |
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Flat Paint Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-27
GLZ-27_Size-020
Regular price $5.50Classic square shape for thicker mediums such as paint and loose texture. Our brushes are high-quality substitutes for paint store brands. These square, basecoater will prove to be very helpful in your brush kit.
- Slim 1/4-1/2 inch thick, 100% BLUE POLYTOP synthetic fiber
- Works well for glazing and stippling
- Use only with water mediums
- Excellent for base painting, varnishing and applying thin plaster
- Description: Square, thick economy brush for water mediums
- Brush Care: Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
20 |
0.5"/14mm | 0.7"/20mm | 1.8"/47mm | |
30 |
0.5"/14mm | 1.1"/30mm | 1.8"/47mm | |
40 |
0.5"/14mm | 1.5"/40mm | 2.2"/56mm | |
60 |
0.5"/14mm |
2.3"/60mm |
2.4"/61mm |
|
70 |
0.6"16mm |
2.7"/70mm | 2.4"/61mm | |
80 |
0.6"16mm |
3.1"/80mm | 2.4"/61mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE
|
Natural / Synthetic
|
BRUSH HOLD
|
Pen hold
|
USAGE
|
|
MEDIUM
|
|
FERRULE
|
|
HANDLE
|
|
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Oval Varnish Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-18D
GLZ-18D
Regular price $8.78This Italian inspired brush is made for varnishing or basecoating in water or oil mediums. It's oval shape and hair density allows for greater medium retention. Traditionally, this brush was made of wild boar's hair, but ours is made of a nylon/bristle blend for today's water mediums.
- 2/3 inch thick, nylon synthetic fiber with 50% natural bristle
- Oval shape great mix between flat and round brushes
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Can be used in water/oil when dedicated (learn more)
- We use it to apply talc/whiting to surfaces
- Small sizes great for painting stiles/rails, small panels, mullions, etc.
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |

Precision Basecoat Brush (Nylon, Bristle) | GLZ-17
GLZ-17_Size-20
Regular price $4.50Classic square shape for thicker mediums such as paint and loose texture. Our brushes are high-quality substitutes of paint store brands. This square, basecoater will prove to be very helpful in your brush kit.
- 1/2-3/4 inch thick, 60% bristle-nylon synthetic fiber with 40% natural bristle
- Works well for glazing and stippling
- Excellent for applying heavy textures (old world style)
- Much more efficient than a chip brush
-
We've altered this traditional brush by using nylon fiber mixed with natural bristle to use with all of today's water mediums
-
These little brushes will prove to be very helpful with minor touch-ups, glazing, stippling, & strie.
- Brush Care: Water: Wash with soap
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
20 |
0.3"/9mm | 0.7"/20mm |
1.7"/44mm |
|
40 |
0.5"14mm | 1.5"/40mm | 2.1"/55mm | |
60 |
0.6"/17mm | 2.3"/60mm |
2.4"/61mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
HAIR TYPE
|
Natural Bristle/Nylon Blend
|
BRUSH HOLD
|
Pencil hold, Drummer's Hold
|
USAGE
|
Basecoat; glazing; stippling in water medium
|
MEDIUM
|
Water
|
FERRULE
|
Tin
|
HANDLE
|
Wooden round short
|
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Detail Basecoat Brush (Nylon, Bristle) | GLZ-17D
GLZ-17D_Size-30
Regular price $9.00We've altered this traditional brush by using nylon fiber mixed with natural bristle to use with all of today's water mediums. These little brushes will prove to be very helpful with minor touch-ups, glazing, stippling, & strie.
- Description: Nylon/Bristle fiber for WATER medium
- Application/Usage: basecoat; glazing; stippling in water medium
- Preferred Medium: Water
- Brush Ferrule/Handle: tin, wooden round short
- Brush Hair Type: Natural Bristle/Nylon Blend
- Brush Hold: pencil hold, Drummer's Hold
- Brush Care: Water: Wash with soap
- Hair Length: 1.8" (45mm)
- Dia./width: 1.15, 1.5, 2, 2.5 inches
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
---|---|---|
Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |