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Howdy all. I've been out of it for the last five years because of coming down with real bad COPD. If you're still smoking, my advice is to give it up now while you've got a chance. What I'm really writing about is hairs coming out of paintbrushes. Somebody said that brushes "made for acrylics" would lose hairs if used for oils. I never heard of such a thing. Didnt even know there were brushes made for acrylics and not oils. The only thing I ever heard on this subject was that you could not clean Kafka brushes with Lacquer thinner or it would dissolve the glue holding the hairs.(true). Any enlightenment?
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 929 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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I use Mack water base 2179 series for water base paint. Either Ronan AquaCote or Nova Color. Have been for a few years now. I'm impressed with how seldom they lose a hair compared to the Langnickels did in One Shot. I never use them in oil. Clean with soap and water.
-------------------- Chuck Peterson Designs San Diego, CA Posts: 1121 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I cant say that I have heard that one. I mostly paint with acrylics and I use everything from Mack 179's to the Mack water based brushes. Kafka brushes are some of my go to brushes. Synthetic and natural brushes get used side by side. I clean the brushes with water and ivory soap.
Just like my head, I lose a hair on occasion, but nothing to worry about.
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Here's what Blick has to say about it: "Acrylic Paintbrushes Blick offers the best acrylic brushes and acrylic paintbrush sets for every acrylic artist, from students and those just starting out to experienced professionals. Available in the most popular shapes — round, pointed round, detail round, bright, flat, angular flat, and fan — many brush lines also include grainers, liners, spotters, stripers, and other specialized brushes.
At one time, almost all acrylic paintbrushes were made from natural hair, but in recent years synthetic alternatives have been introduced that work as well or even better than their natural counterparts. Because acrylic paints, solvents, and even water can cause natural hair paintbrushes to lose their shape and degrade over time, many acrylic artists now prefer brushes made from synthetic fibers. What’s more, synthetic acrylic brushes often cost less and are much easier to clean.
Most acrylic paintbrushes have long handles that allow artists to work at a distance from the painting surface, although many brush selections also include short or even extra-short handle brushes for working closer in. As a rule-of-thumb, acrylic brushes can also be used with other media such as oil paints, while brushes designed for oil and watercolor paints are not recommended for use with acrylic paints. Access our Brush Charts for more information on types of paintbrushes, including brush shapes, fiber types, and measurements." ===This is all new to me. I dont know if the brushes I have were intended for oils, watercolor, or acrylics. I've always just kept them divided for either water-based or oil-based. And I haven't noticed any trouble with losing hairs or shape.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 929 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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For picture painting I don't mind Synthetic paint brushes. But for lettering or striping, I like real hair. But that's me, old school. I just recently started using some old lettering brushes that I inherited back about 1989. And since I had always taken good care of them, they are great.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 4119 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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I learned to use red sable and kamox for water colors. Nowdays there are better selections made from synthetics. I'd neve put my squirrel hair in a water based paint, I have too much respect for them to even try.My experience so far is all the brushed I've tried with acrylic lettering get floppy and loose their shape and frequently need washing and shaping.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 7066 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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