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Can Linseed Oil Be Used To Clean Brushes?
I know that some paint thinners can be used to clean the brushes, but can linseed oil do the same? Also, is it dangerous and bad for your health?
Hi Sandy,
If you are referring to cleaning your brushes during a painting session I wouldn't use linseed oil for that purpose as it would leave too much oil on the brush while mixing your next color (the painting would take a long time to dry). I found that an empty coffee as a vessel for cleaning your brushes works quite well. Another tip is to cut a course metal screen in a circle that is about an inch larger than the diameter of the coffee can opening. Then bend the screen edges over to make a cup like insert that is positioned in the bottom of the coffee can. Fill the coffee can with mineral spirits or turpentine about 3". I use this method for cleaning my bushes and it works very well. The screen helps to "scrub" the brushes and also traps the paint solids to the bottom of the can.
Use Linseed oil as part of your medium when mixing your oil paint. I use 1 part Linseed oil and 3 parts turpentine (use mineral spirits only for cleaning your brushes, not for your medium) for my medium and it has worked for me for over 25 years. Simple and inexpensive and you can get all of the supplies at your local hardware store.
After your painting session you can clean your brushes with Ivory soap and warm water. Just drag the brush over the bar of soap and carefully rotate the bristles in the palm of your hand adding water as you go until all of the paint is removed. Once clean lightly drag the brush over the bar of soap once more and then fashion the brush to a point and let dry. I still use brushes that are 20 years old because of using this method.
Never leave your brushes sitting in the coffee can as it will render your brushes useless in no time.
Last note... I personally wouldn't consider Linseed oil or other solvents as being dangerous although I have known some folks find them to agitate an allergic reaction. If that would be the case there are oil paints that will mix with water (although I haven't tried them).
Hope this helps.
Bob
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