I use many flats and keep them religiously in mineral spirints and always horizontal/wet. I even trim bristles next to the ferrule which become errant at times with a razor blade as the brush gets very worn (after 3000+ windshields), but some brushes, quills or flats, simply split. leaving a good brush as a ruined 'twin tail'.

I always thought I would find some use for these twins, but I see in my brush junk pile some twenty of them after 12 years. I have tried everything, including keeping them, during their prime life, in lard oil, but find plain mineral spirits (M/S) works better to keep them in on a daily basis.

Interestingly, M/S seems to keep them snappier and no fisheyes from leftover oil in the bristles. I never use Squirtz and keep silicones out of my system (although many years ago, I used to rub Squirtz into the bristles after cleaning, although I found it did lower paint adhesion to a minor extent on glass). Tranny fluid, brake fluid, gear grease, chicken fat and special brush oils all sound good, but I get the best results just leaving them in my metal brush box, flat and soaking in M/S, all pointing the same direction.

I have even gone so far as to cut the ferrule and see if there was significant paint buildup in the middle, compared to others that did not, but were just worn out, but to now avail. Fact is these really do not cost much, compared to the paint costa or certainly the costs of vinyl equipment.

There seems to be a magic about how good brushes last. Even with extreme care and consistency, I still have some split and have always wondered if anyone knows any fix or prevention. I have been cleaning brushes for 40 years and still see I do not know it all!

Thats what the old journeyman used to say when they found one. then it flew thru the air into file 13.

I like you have been too (shall we say) Frugle and have saved these. But for another reason...they make some really interesting Casual
lettering and Brush Scripts...(that no one else can duplicate)and I like that.:

I too would like to hear a cure (if there is one ) although I doubt I'll change my ways.

Oh and by the way I have another gret collection of "Brush handles" (old brushes so worn down they're praying for a merciful death)I just love looking at them ...remembering when they were a "favorite"

Sick eh?