Another help thread, this time my brushes

[Steal Your Face]

I apologize for posting another cry for help thread, but I am having serious issues with my brushes. I'm attaching three pictures of three different brushes, all with the same problem. The first two are Rosemary and Company Size 4, pointed round red sable, and the third is a W&N series 7 size 2 round. When the brushes are just moist they are fine. I can bring them to a point and they keep their shape. As soon as they get wet, or I load them with paint they separate and I can't stop it from happening. It's super frustrating and makes me wonder if I have any business trying to paint minis. Can anyone tell from the pictures what might be happening? I've only used these brushes three to four times, but the problem seemed to happen almost immediately. I rinse my brushes about every minute, and clean them with Master's soap after every use. I've even soaked these guys for over 24 hours in W&N brush cleaner and restorer, and I can't fix what's wrong with them. Are they just bad brushes, or is it bad brush care? I have other brushes that this has happened to, two Rosemary and Co. size 3 pointed flats, and a Citadel Medium base brush. The only thing I can think of is that before I used all of those brushes for the first time I used Dawn dish soap to clean the packing out of them. I read somewhere this is a no-no as the Dawn contains a de-greaser and that is bad for brushes. I've also not paid attention to the temperature of the tap water I was using when cleaning them with the Masters soap and later realized it was really hot water. Any suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!

 

[CyAniDe]

It can happen from time to time that you get a bad brush. But with "premium" brands like it's pretty rare. In over 15 years I only had one "bad" W&N so far and I could return it.

before I used all of those brushes for the first time I used Dawn dish soap to clean the packing out of them. I read somewhere this is a no-no as the Dawn contains a de-greaser and that is bad for brushes. I've also not paid attention to the temperature of the tap water I was using when cleaning them with the Masters soap and later realized it was really hot water.

That might have caused the issues. Also soaking brushes in cleaner or water for a long time is not the best idea. The wooden handle gets soaked and expand in the ferrule.
When you get new brushes just submerge and swirl them carefully in water. Warm water removes the starch faster but it shouldn't be hot. While the brush is under water and fully soaked it's normal for the bristles to spread a bit. It should spring back and form a nice tip when you swipe off most liquid on paper towel. If a new brush doesn't do that, something is wrong. Otherwise it should be fine.
Dish soap removes fat and "dries" out the hair. Same does alcohol, acetone ...
So it might be that you "cared" em to death.
Also when cleaning with soap only pull the brush gently through the soap. Don't push it into the soap and don't scrub. When some soap is on the brush I wet my second hand, bend it a bit and pull the brush through my palm wrinkle until the soap foams. Then rinse the brush. Also don't hold the brush under the tap with the tip against the water stream. Hold it so the water flows over the bristles not against. Make sure that no soap collects in the ferrule and hardens there.

Are these your first natural hair brushes?
It is possible that you had really bad luck and all three were bad from the beginning but that sounds a bit unlikely.
Don't leave brushes in any liquid for long periods of time. Lay them flat on the table to dry after cleaning or hang them upside down.
Don't use any degreasing agents like dishsoap or agressive cleaners. Even brush cleaners are not always suitable for natural hair brushes! A lot of them are designed for synthetic brushes.

Hope it helps a bit. If you have further questions feel free to ask.