Oil Paint

What did Bob Ross use to clean brushes (Bob Ross & safe technique)

Bob Ross commonly demonstrated brush cleaning with odorless paint thinner during oil painting, but “odorless” does not mean vapor-free or harmless, so ventilation still matters.

Published

In the "Joy of Painting" he mentions and uses Bob Ross brand odorless paint thinner. However, the tinner is not completely odorless. I can say it is odor compatible. 

In this article, I will explain

In other articles, I already explained:

How does Bob Ross clean his brushes? (During painting)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNAzYEM1pxo

During demonstrations, Ross rinsed oil-paint brushes in thinner and removed excess solvent before returning to paint, a method that requires good ventilation and safe solvent handling.

Step 2: Then he shakes it

Step 3: Finally, bite the brush on the easel to remove the paint.

Bob Ross says it is a funny technique for him. Yeah, it looks funny, but not healthy practice at all. I recommend you not apply the method directly. We can modify it some. 

Sometimes I doubt this technique will not completely remove the paint from the brushes. However, Bob Ross claimed it🙂. 

Bob Ross odorless paint thinner and some alternatives for brush cleaning

Odorless mineral spirits can clean oil brushes, while some artists use oil-based or solvent-free methods; each option affects drying, residue, ventilation, and disposal differently.

GradeNote
Bob Ross ODORLESS THINNRArtistic grade & Bob Ross brandBob Ross recommended product
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits BottleArtistic gradeBest alternative and premium product, odorless tinner. Safe thinner
Speedball Art Products Mona Lisa Odorless ThinnerGood cheap alternative
Speedball Pink Soap Brush CleanerArtisticNone thinner brush cleaning method. 
Master brush cleaner soapArtisticPopular material for clean brush

What are safe techniques for cleaning brushes? 

Use the least hazardous cleaner that works with the paint, ventilate when solvents are involved, avoid skin contact, and follow the cleaner’s label and safety data.

Paint thinner - Bob Ross technique modification (during painting)

Step 1: Put odorless paint thinner or turpentine in a small bucket. If you have a budget, a Bob Ross brand cleaning bucket is already available. Try to use gloves, and it is good practice.

Step 2: Paint thinner will loosen the paint.

Step 3: Take a dry rag or paper towel, and clean the brush. That's it.

Is the Bob Ross bucket worth the purchase to clean the brushes?

GradeNote
Bob Ross Cleaning Bucket & ScreenArtistic grade & Bob Ross brandUnique product in the market

Bob Ross buckets come with a bucket and a screen. For cleaning, you should put the paint thinner in the bucket and the bucket screen helps to clean the brush. I found some important pros and cons about the bucket.

Pros

Cons

The bucket is manufactured for brush cleaning and does a great job of this. So, of course, it is worth it for brush cleaning. 

Let's make the brush cleaning technique safer - without solvent (during painting)

Step 1: Take a small amount of linseed oil or painting medium on the brush.

Step 2: Take a dry rug or paper, then wipe the paint from the brush.

You can clean the brush with a pink soap brush cleaner and water combination. 

How to clean the brush when finished painting? And make the brush long-lasting.

For final cleaning, remove excess paint first, then wash with a cleaner suited to the paint and brush fibers, reshape the bristles, and dry the brush without trapping solvent.

You should apply the solvent-free option, which I explained before. And then...

Step 1: Use soap, especially Master brush cleaner soap. This soap is specially built for cleaning and restoring artistic brushes. Or you also can apply a good conditioner. It also helps to keep a quality long time. 

Step 2: Wash the brush properly.

Step 3: Then give it time to dry.

Can I use baby oil to clean the brush?

Baby oil can loosen oil paint but leaves a nondrying residue that can contaminate later paint layers, so it is not a good general cleaner for brushes returning to the canvas.

Can I use safflower oil for brush cleaning?

Artist-grade safflower or walnut oil can help remove oil paint without solvent, but excess oil should be wiped out so it does not alter later mixtures or slow drying unexpectedly.

Learn more about Bob Ross brush maintenance, including thinner choice, dried-paint recovery, brush shape, and brush selection.