microscale liquid to restore old decals

[Guest]

this morning I've used a sable brush to coat some old decals with Microscale solution to restore said items prior to use. Unfortunately, the bottle didn't say how to clear the brush. I've tried both washing-up liquid and white spirit to no avail. What I found that as soon as I had coated the decals there was a white deposit on the brush hairs which i can't remove. What should you use to clean brushes after using this solution? Should I have use a cheapo brush? Most importantly, can I restore my sable brush and if so how please>

Many thanks

[stona]

I've never used the stuff but if the solvents you tried didn't work I would suggest Isopropyl alcohol or maybe methylated spirit. Another alternative might be a cleaner containing ammonia. Some window cleaners do. I hope something works as a nice sable brush is a pricey item!

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

What's the base used in Microscale? It has to be something silvent based, i'm surprised its left a residue on the bristles, however White spririts should shift it, certainly try some ammonia based cleaner, I don't know about anyone else but i've scoured supermarket shelves till i'm exhausted trying to find window cleaner with ammonia and honestly believe you simply cannot get it new anymore, i reckon the stuff people find is NOS, we don't have Windex like our colonial cousins and clear windolene spray, all the ones i've looked at and sniffed at don't contain it either.

But, get some household ammonia and dilute in water, I think I use something like 6ml to 250ml which works fine for cleaning the airbrush after spraying Klear. Stinks though, clean your brush near an open window.

[Guest]

Just a thought, have you tried using some air brush remer that normally shifts anything.

[Guest]

You're a clever bunch aren't you! I tried the methylated spirits suggestion and the brush was good as new within seconds! Thank you all very much.

Just to let you know that the e-mail to Microscale requesting assistance was not even acknowledged let alone replied to. I was NOT impressed. Good manners cost nothing and I hope that if i ever go to the Telford show again i shall have the opportunity to politely explain to their representative what I think of their "customer service" (or lack of it).

[Ian M]

I have never had any form of residue form on a brush using Microscale products. I wash the brush out with running water and dry it on a tissue. I could imagine that the residue you refer to was from the old decals, the sealing coat can often take on a slight silvery shean but this to normally come way when you place the decal in water to apply it.

"Hot" thinners are not very kind to sable brushes and remove the natural oils in the hair and you will in time end up with a stiff and unresponsive brush. Meths should be ok as it is not that violent.

Ian M