I am going to switch from Flex Coat to Threadmaster finish and would like
to know what you fellows use to clean your brushes. I am currently using
Flex Coat brush cleaner, will it work as well on Threadmaster?

Thanks for your suggestions! John

I use acetone, then soap and water, a lot cheaper or MEK
Jim wilson

We use denatured alcohol or Trondak brush cleaner, plus a rinse in water.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Like Russ, I use denatured alcohol.
It's cheap and it work just fine.


Walt
Three Rocks Rods

Methylated Spirits. I have a glass jar with a hole bored in the top.

About an inch of metho and stand the brush in as soon as I finish using it.

Cheap and 100% effective

Paul

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

Hi,

For many years I have used U-40 brush cleaner. I have used it with Flex Coat, Aftcote and Classic Coat finishes.

I place about 1/2''of U-40 is an empty Brush Cleaner bottle. I use a paper clip to hold the brush in the liquid and just off the bottom of the bottle.

When finished applying finish I squeeze the left over finish out of the brush using a paper towel. I then wash the brush in 91% isopropyl alcohol. Then I wipe the brush off and suspend it in the U-40 Brush Cleaner.

The beauty of U-40 Brush Cleaner is that it does not smell or evaporate. My natural hair brushes last a long time using this method.

When ready to use the brush again I take it out of the brush cleaner, wipe it dry, clean it in 91% iosprophyl alcohol, wipe it dry. Now it is ready to use.

Capt Neil Faulkner

The Capt. is right on....I use denatured alcohol after wiping the finish from the brush and follow up leaving it sit in brush cleaner suspended off the bottom of the container using a clothes pin...my brushes also last a very, very long time...when I am ready to use my brush again all I do is wipe the brush off with a kleenex and like Capt. says no evaporation or smell and also no contamination can get to the brush.

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

For roughly .20 a piece why mess with it?

Amen Terry!!

DR

Hi,

Why mess with it?

Very simple answer. I have tried those brushes and no matter what I do i am not happy with the results. Give me a natural hair brush.

Capt Neil Faulkner

A quality synthetic brush cleaned with nothing more than rubbing alcohol lasts a long time.

Jeff

Check out using a stainless steel spatula and eliminate the need for cleaning brushes. Spatulas are much more versitale, easier to clean, cost effective. I think Ralph will have some at the NC gathering.
Joe

Amen to spatulas.

Artist's palette knives work well. Can be filed down and shaped and bent to almost any configuration. The longer ones work well for mixing. Last forever.

Sam

Amen also for the spatula. If I need a brush I bought like 100 of them on @#$%& for like 10.00 so I just throw them out. Clean the spatula with denatured alcohol

Good morning,

The bottom line is that there are many ways to complete a task. Find a way that works for you and enjoy success.

i hope I get to see a spatula demo at THE SHOW.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Ditto the Capt.

Guess we both come from the old school when the spatula was not used for rod finish that we were aware of...back when brushes were used.

Jeff Shafer stated "quality brushes" not the throwaway type, and if anybody sees any of these anywhere for 100 @ $10.00 please let me know
and I will share with the oldies that still use brushes.

Everyone to their own tastes and likes.

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

Fred,
I should clarify that the brushes I use aren't high priced. Craft stores carry some nice synthetic bristle brushes - flat, 1/4" painter brushes for $3-$4 each (lower if I catch a sale). If cleaned thoroughly they last through many epoxy applications so my cost per application is low. Though most of my epoxy application is done by lowering the brush from above, as is done with a spatula, there are times when I need to distribute the epoxy lengthwise on long wraps or over feather inlays. The brushes I use allow me to do that without creating bubbles.

Jeff

I use the pimp-daddy ones, and still use acetone followed by soap and water...Works great.