How to Care for an Oil-Painting Brush With Vaseline

Vaseline helps keep brushes smooth for oil painting.

If you have an old oil-painting brush that is free of paint residue but has become stiff and dry, you can use Vaseline to get your brush smooth and soft again. A smooth, soft and pliable brush is important in oil painting, so that the paint on your canvas will have the desired texture, consistency and accuracy. The advantage to using Vaseline for keeping your oil-painting brush soft is that it is inexpensive and commonly available.

Things You'll Need

• Vaseline
• paint thinner
• paper towels

Instructions

1. Smooth the bristles of the brush using a small amount of Vaseline. Make sure to use a small amount, or the Vaseline will be difficult to wash out.

2. Store the brush with the Vaseline in it overnight or for several days, to allow it to fully soften.

3. When you're ready to use the brush, dip it into a small amount of paint thinner and dry it with paper towels. If the bristles are tangled, untangle them with a very fine-toothed comb while the brush is still wet.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How to Clean Brushes