Oil Paint

Bob Ross Brushes Losing Shape: Fix This and Care Brush

Bob Ross brushes can lose shape from heavy pressure, dried paint, poor cleaning, storage damage, or careless reshaping and handling after washing.

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Bob Ross brushes can be losing shape for different reasons.

  1. Slap brush hardly
  2. Store brush as brush hair on the ground 
  3. Wrong use
  4. Naturally 

In this article, I will explain the following:

I already explained in another article:

How can you restore Bob Ross brushes from losing shape? 

Clean dried paint from a misshapen brush, gently reshape damp bristles, then let them dry naturally in their intended form without forcing the tips.

You need:

  1. Hot water
  2. Soap

How to back losing shape

Step 1. Preparation: wash the brush with clean water and remove all removal paint from the brush.

Step 2. Apply: Take hot water in a pot. Dip it in hot water for 30-40 seconds. Make sure the hot water should not remove the brush holder glue. 

Step 3. Resolution: Rub the brush on a soap gently. Give it the shape which you want.

Step 4: Dry time: Give it 3-4 hours to dry without cleaning the soap.

Step 5: Wash time: Wash the brush generally and remove the excess soap.

Step 6: Complete: Give it the same time for drying. Your paintbrush will get back the shape. You should test the brush to see how it performs.

This video will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KwIShjAL71s

Necessary products for Bob Ross brush care, you may find

Product TypeGradeNote
Bob Ross ODORLESS THINNRSolventArtistic grade & Bob Ross brandBob Ross uses this product
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits BottleSolventArtistic gradeBest alternative and premium product, a popular odorless thinner. Safe thinner
Bob Ross R6519 Brush Beater RackCleaning rackArtistic grade & Bob Ross brandA unique option for removing brush devil
The Masters Brush Cleaner & PreserverSoap & conditionerArtistic gradePopular material for bush care
Speedball Pink Soap Brush CleanerSoap & conditionerArtistic gradePopular material for bush care

How should you care Bob Ross brushes to prevent future losing shape issues?

Clean Bob Ross brushes promptly, avoid crushing bristles, reshape after washing, and store them without pressure on their tips during drying.

In this article, I explained how bob ross cleans his brush regularly, you can check.

Don't slap the brush 

Bob Ross regularly does these things for the devil out from the brush. It is not good practice for brush and as well as human health. 

Use Bob Ross Ross cleaning rack

Instead of slap brush, the cleaning rack is a very good solution. You can use it in your painting project and remove paint or solvent from brushes after finishing painting. And then use paper towels for the ultimate clean brush.

Use conditioner or brush cleaning soap

Bob Ross brushes are mainly manufactured from natural hair and high-quality synthetic hair. So after finishing the project, apply conditioner or soap to make the brush hair soft for restoration from the hush painting chemicals. 

Store the brush

Store the brush properly. Do not store the brush hair in contact with the ground floor. The storage environment should be dry.

Explore more PaintZeal articles for practical guidance on related paint questions, materials, surfaces, techniques, and common project problems.