If you’ve spent out on expensive paint brushes for painting miniatures, you’ll want to take care of them so they last well and produce the best results possible.
With proper care, quality brushes can last for several years, meaning you’ll be getting the best value for your hard-earned cash.
Here is everything I do to take care of my paint brushes – whether they’re branded from somewhere like Rosemary & Co or cheap Yutiars paint brushes from Temu.
How To Take Care of Your Paint Brushes: Brush Care for Miniature Painting
Good paintbrushes aren’t cheap, so it’s worth looking after them properly. With a little care, a good brush can last a surprisingly long time, but poor cleaning and storage can quickly damage even a good-quality, expensive brush.
One of the best things you can do is get into the habit of cleaning your brushes regularly.
I use brush shampoo to clean and condition my brushes, and I’ll run through exactly how I do it below.
How Often Should You Clean Your Brushes?
I tend to clean my brushes regularly rather than waiting until they are really dirty. Always give them a good clean when taking a break from painting, as dried paint can be much harder to remove.
As a general guide, I shampoo my brushes after around 10–15 hours of use, but I’ll do it sooner if I feel they need it.
How to Clean Miniature Brushes: Brush Shampooing
Use a decent brush shampoo. I personally use Da Vinci Brush Shampoo. Another good brand is The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver.
Brush shampoo is designed to clean and condition paintbrushes, helping to remove paint and residue from the bristles while also helping them keep their shape.
How to Shampoo Brushes
- Use a cup of clean water.
- Swirl the brush in the water to moisten the bristles.
- Drag the brush through the shampoo with a twisting motion.
- Repeat the motion on a clean kitchen towel to remove any dried paint.
- Rinse in clean water and repeat until the brush is clean.
- After the final rinse, dry the brush using a kitchen towel.
- Run the brush through the shampoo again.
- Use the palm of your hand to gently shape the brush into a point.
- Store upright.
TIP: Don’t get shampoo, paint, or water into the ferrule if you can avoid it. Keeping the ferrule clean is one of the easiest ways to help your brushes last longer.
Brush Shampoo vs Brush Soap
Brush shampoo and brush soap are pretty similar, and both are designed to clean and care for paintbrushes. The main difference is usually the formula and how the product is intended to be used.
For miniature painting, I prefer brush shampoo because I find it does a good job of cleaning the brush while also helping to keep the bristles in good condition.
That said, a good brush soap can work perfectly well too. The important thing is to use a product designed for cleaning paintbrushes rather than relying on ordinary household soap.
How Much Paint Should I Put on the Brush?
I tend to add small amounts of paint to the brush at a time, especially when painting detail. You can always add more, but once the brush is loaded, having too much paint on it can lead to waste.
This is a little different if you’re using a wash or contrast paint, where you’ll need more paint on the brush.
Caring for Your Brushes – Do’s and Don’ts
Never leave brushes standing in water. This can damage the tips, and water can also get into the ferrule and cause damage. It’s one of the quickest ways to shorten the life of your brushes.
Always clean your brushes when taking a break. Dried paint can be much harder to remove, so it’s worth giving them a quick clean before you step away.
Be gentle with your brushes, especially the bristles. Pressing too hard can damage the bristles and cause them to lose their shape.
Always use the right brush for the job. Brushes used for rougher work will naturally deteriorate more quickly, so don’t use your best detail brushes for jobs they weren’t designed for.
Don’t use an expensive sable detail brush for drybrushing, stippling, mixing paint, or other jobs that are hard on the bristles.
Deep clean your brushes occasionally. An extra-thorough clean can help loosen up stiff brushes and remove any paint that has built up over time, helping your brushes last longer.
Storage
Avoid getting paint into the ferrule (the metal bit) of the paintbrush.
Always store your paintbrushes upright to avoid damaging the tips.
Never store brushes in water. This is one of the quickest ways to damage expensive brushes, and it’s a mistake beginners often make when they’re getting started with miniature painting.
Store your brushes somewhere safe and dry. In my case, that means keeping them well away from my kids, who love painting as much as I do!
Paint Brushes for Miniatures – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ferrule?
The ferrule is the metal part of the brush that holds the bristles in place. Keeping paint and water out of this area will help prevent damage and keep your brushes in good condition.
Are Cheap Brushes Worth It?
Yes and no. Some cheap brushes can be better than more expensive ones, so price isn’t always a good indication of quality. It’s often worth trying a few different brushes to see what works best for you.
Are Temu Brushes Good for Painting Miniatures? Yutiars Brushes Review
Where Can I Buy Brush Shampoo?
You can buy brush shampoo on Amazon or from a good art shop.
When Should I Replace a Paintbrush?
A good brush can last a surprisingly long time if you look after it, but eventually the bristles will start to lose their shape and the point won’t hold properly.
If the brush is permanently splayed or won’t form a point after cleaning and reshaping, it’s probably time to replace it.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my paint brush care guide and that it helps keep your brushes in tip top shape for longer!
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