Oil Paint

How to Restore Bob Ross Dry Paint Brushes [Solved]

Dried oil paint can sometimes be softened and removed from Bob Ross-style brushes, but restoration depends on how deeply the paint has cured and whether the bristles remain intact.

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Paint drying on a brush is a very common issue among painters. You can fix the paintbrush. But you can not achieve the fine bristle hair as before. However, it can be usable.  

I already explained in another article:

How to restore Bob Ross dry paintbrush

Start by removing loose paint, then use a brush cleaner or solvent compatible with oil paint and the brush material, working gradually instead of forcing or bending hardened bristles.

You need

  1. Brush cleaner
  2. Any glass pot
  3. Staff flower oil 
  4. Paint thinner

The material you may need for brush clean

Product TypeGradeNote
Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & RestorerBrush cleanerArtistic gradePopularly uses for brush cleaning
Bob Ross ODORLESS THINNRPaint thinnerArtistic grade & Bob Ross brandBob Ross uses this product
Winsor & Newton Refined Safflower OilOilArtistic gradeWorldwide use for painting

How to restore a paintbrush?

Step 1. Preparation: put brush cleaner liquid in a glass pot or bowl. I do not recommend putting it in a plastic pot because the liquid can eat plastic.

Step 2. Soak brush: Soak brushed hair in the pot for a long time. Take brush some time in the pot, making the dry paint soft.

Step 3: Rub brush: Take a different unused brush and gently rub the brush to remove dry paint off. 

Step 4: Clean brush: Take a paper towel, remove the liquid from the brush, wash with paint thinner, apply staff flower oil, and clean it with paper towels. 

Step 5: Follow the same step: Follow the same steps 2 to step 4 until the dry paint remove properly.

I already explained, how to fix Bob Ross losing shape brush. You may check.

Continue with these Bob Ross brush-care guides for cleaning, restoring shape, choosing brushes, and using thinner safely.