Cleaning the brushes

Rule #1

AVOID WASHING YOUR NATURAL BRISTLE BRUSHES IN SOAP AND WATER

Bob Ross had written in his books, 'Cleaning the brushes can be one of the most fun parts of painting. It's an excellent way to take out your hostilities and frustrations without doing any damage"

The best way to clean your brushes is by using an empty coffee can with the Bob Ross mess screen in the bottom. Fill the can 3/4" above the screen with odorless thinner. To clean the brushes, scrub the bristles firmly against the mesh screen to remove the paint. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD FOR FAN AND SMALLER BRUSHES BRUSHES. Now shake out the excess thinner.. then beat the bristles firmly against a solid object to dry the brush. (best to use the Bob Ross beater rack placed inside a small waste can) Learn to contain this procedure or you will not only create a mess, but will also become less popular to the people around you.

For smaller brushes, (and fans) clean them simply with the thinner and paper towel or a rag. These guys have more delicate bristles and if cleaning them with the above methods, they will not last as long.

The thinner never wears out, so simply let it sit in the coffee can for a few days (allowing it to settle) then reuse.

Storage

Before putting your brushes away for a nap, make sure they are throughly clean. Your brushes can now preserved and treated with the Bob Ross Brush Conditioner .

Always be sure to store the brushes flat to keep the strength and shape of the bristles. (placing them on the beater rack is a great way to allow them to fully dry)

If you follow these few simple rules, your brushes will last you for many years.