Thank you for your report!
We have received your report and it is currently under investigation by a forum moderator.
Solvent
Welcome to the forum.
Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.
Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.
Hang on Studio Wall
This is a Studio member-only feature!
Join our Studio membership and save your favourite Painters Online content, from gallery artwork to step-by-step guides, to your own online mood boards. Create your go-to place for inspiration and learning. Plus, members can also enjoy a range of exciting features including monthly art videos and a digital magazine library.
If you are already a Studio member, simply login to your account.
Not a Studio member? Why not try our free 30-day trial - no commitment, no credit card required
Message
Posted
I have just had a nasty shock. Our art tutor at Hoby art group has suggested that we bring odourless solvent tomorrow for the first session with oils. I've been using Turps substitute from B&Q at home which seems to work just fine but I admit is a bit smelly.
So, I asked her to recommend an odourless solvent as I can't buy any locally. The one she came up with is by Zest-it and retails at £9 for 125ml.
I nearly had a heart attack; I'd get through three of four of those every day!
Is everyone else spending a fortune on brush cleaning or is there a better way that I don't know about?
Posted
Like Magic, I use Zest-It. True its cost more but the benefits far outway the cost. One it does not evaporate quickly. I put some out to dry and it just dose not disappear. Two it can last you years if you make good use of it, never throw it away and there is no need to. Three the days of washing out oil brushes has gone for me. I have two pot of Zest one I use to rinse out the brush and another for the final clean. When I finish painting I rinse the brushes in pot one then in pot two a final rinse of Zest-it. When I see no colour coming out of the brush all clean and ready for next time. I have been doing this for years and my brushes are all good and healthy. No more scrubbing out at the sink, oh such bliss! Of course you do use a bit when you wipe off the brushes but Zest-it last out so very long. It gives a great pay back. Best thing since sliced bread. Oh and the citric smell is so pleasant.
Posted
The obvious odourless solvent is Sansodor, or another version of much the same thing, marketed as Low Odour Thinners or something similar. That should be fine if your tutor just means "not Turps", rather than "totally non-toxic" - because all thinners are a bit toxic, but some (like Zest-It) are far less so than others. I've no direct experience of Zest-It - I understand it can be used as a medium, as well as a solvent? I don't use solvent to clean brushes, but the Norrette method - a bit of Fairy Liquid in the kitchen sink, running the cold tap, once you've wiped off as much excess paint as you can with a kitchen towel - works for me. But then, I don't work with others in a club, and in those circumstances you might be a bit short of clean-up space.
In short: I'd go with John's suggestion, or with Sansodor; or might clean my bruses up with kitchen roll, have a good few others available to switch to in the group, and take the dirties home with me to be cleaned at your leisure. It's surprising, by the way, how much paint you can get out of a brush just by squeezing it out into a bit of Bounty (other brands are available). It'll make a mess of your lighter colours and white, , but using a wiped "clean" brush with darker paint is something I do quite often.
Finally, he said, chasing the subject to death - I'm not fond of water-miscible oils, but in these circumstances they could be ideal - no solvent, just water to clean up with.
Posted
I was quietly taken into a padded cell at art group last night, patted on the head and it was explained to me in words of one syllable that one does not use solvent to clean brushes, one uses washing up liquid. The solvent is for thinning paint.
I've still got a lot to learn. Sorry to have bothered everyone.
Posted
You're not alone Peter, theres many still use solvents. But its better for your health to reduce amounts. I got into the Fairy habit when using water miscibles, then I realised that washing up liquid is designed to remove oils from your dishes so can be used for any oil.
I'm trying to work out why Robert wipes his brushes on a bar of chocolate covered coconut... :-)
Posted
Bounty is kitchen roll; the coconut choccy bar is an occasional treat, which I suspect has been spoiled, like most other chocolate, by Kraft; and if it hasn't been, it will be. The Bounty kitchen roll is thick and absorbent, not unlike myself, so is my preferred choice.
PS: Asking question is never a waste of time, Peter - it all helps to build knowledge!
Edited
by Robert Jones, Napa
Posted
Getting side-tracked by chocolate isn't a problem. I have the onerous duty of providing the KitKats for art group on Wednesday mornings without which we cannot function.
You will be pleased to hear that I painted an oil this morning, used only a little odour free solvent (kindly donated) and washed my brushes in washing up liquid when I got home. Does anyone want to buy two bottles of turps?!
