Best Acrylic Paint Brush Cleaner

When working with acrylic paints, it is essential to maintain your brushes to ensure their longevity and performance. Proper cleaning will not only extend the life of your brushes but also enhance the quality of your artwork. This guide provides helpful tips and techniques for effectively cleaning acrylic paint from your brushes.

Top 5 Best Acrylic Paint Brush Cleaner

1.U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner

2.Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer

3.Silicoil Brush Cleaning Tank, Winsor & Newton

4.General Pencil General 105-BP Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner

5.Iwata-Medea Airbrush Cleaner

1.U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner

I did not find this product particularly effective. I soaked a fair number of my oil painting brushes in the cleaner overnight--it ended up being a little more than 24 hours. I didn't feel as though the cleaner did much more than I would've got from a thorough rinse in turpentine or odorless mineral spirits. It did not completely wash out of the brushes, and left a tacky residue. I think I'll go back to Turpenoid Natural.

2.Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer

This brush cleaner is great! It cleans oil paint of your brush in minutes, the process is pretty easy and the instructions are very helpful as well. The after picture isn't leftover paint my brush is just stained, but you can definitely tell a difference between the two pics. The only problem is if the cleaner touches the handle of your brush it will mess it up a bit. So only pour a little in your (glass) cup that way it only touches the bristles and not the handle. (Make sure to read the instructions on the bottle to help you with the process) And the last thing is keep it away from cuts, it burns really bad, so be careful. Other than that I think this is a great product, I highly recommend!

3.Silicoil Brush Cleaning Tank, Winsor & Newton

This product was recommended by Jessica Rocks on YouTube and it is TOTALLY worth it! I like that I can just fill it with water, sit down and paint and not have to go through so many paintbrushes while they pile up waiting for me to stop creating and go wash them (don't need as many paintbrushes now, either)! I can put the lid on and reuse the water later in the next day or for several days to come. I just rub and rotate the brushes around (gently) on the metal spiral to get the paint and glitter off and then set them out to dry (which they dry quickly for me) and then I'm onto the next color. Saves water, saves time, saves paint brushes. Win-win! If you are having issues cleaning it out, here is what I do: pour out the old water, then I add a touch of soap and warm water, swish around and let sit awhile. Then I keep an old paintbrush around to clean out the bottom with (as the metal piece does not come out). Love this thing - so worth the investment!

4.General Pencil General 105-BP Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner

This product cleans quite well and can be used both as a soap and as a leave-in conditioner without the need to rinse it out. Essentially, it's a 2-in-1 product. I have the 2-ounce version and have been using it consistently for quite a while. It seems to be very effective. It’s good for helping to preserve both new and quality brushes.For new/quality brushes: First, I clean them with the brush cleaner, then rinse them thoroughly to remove the paint, and finally, leave a bit of the product in the bristles to condition them. Leaving the conditioner on the brushes might cause them to become a bit stiff, but this is completely normal. It's precisely what helps the bristles maintain their shape. When you use them again, simply soak them in water and they’ll be ready to use as usualFor old brushes/ones about to be discarded: To try to save my old brushes, I first wash them well with the soap to remove any paint residue. Then, I soak the old brushes in warm water for a few minutes (without letting the ferrule touch the water, as hot/warm water can dissolve the glue holding the ferrule to the handle, especially with cheaper brushes). Finally, I apply a bit of the product to the bristles and let them dry as they are, allowing for conditioning. This method helped me save a few brushes that I thought were beyond rescue.Overall, it’s a good product with no complaints.

5.Iwata-Medea Airbrush Cleaner

I haven't compared this to anything else but works for what I needed. One tip, I got a big plastic bottle with a tip that is angled and pointed. I fill that up with distilled water and shoot it into my gravity feed cup. That flushes paint out fast and saves me from wasting the cleaner. Then I add 2-3 drops of this cleaner into the cup and fire away. But wear a mask or shoot this into a cleaning station (make your own). Stupid me, I just sprayed this into a bucket and was choking for hours afterwards. Bottle says non toxic and an eye irritant. I guess I should have just errored on the side of caution.

Conclusion

Keeping your brushes clean is essential for any acrylic painter looking to produce high-quality art consistently. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure the longevity of your brushes while maintaining their performance and preventing any potential issues caused by dried paint. Incorporate these practices into your routine to keep your painting tools in top shape and ready for your next artistic endeavor. Happy painting!