Silicoil The Lion Company Brush Cleaning Tank

I've been painting on and off for 30 years, and I still have most of my original brushes including sable, hog, and synthetic bristles thanks to this brush cleaner combined with the original fluid, Silicoil - some of which I probably still have in one of the original jars. IMO the aluminum wire rack is the gentlest wire cleaning product on the market, and that's why I have 30 year old brushes that barely look used.My cleaning system works like this, and is 100% dependent on these jars and the original Silicoil.First, I wipe as much excess paint as possible from the bristles using paper towels and rags - old t-shirts make great rags.Second, then I use one of these jars 1/2 filled with OMS, and gently clean as much paint as possible from the bristles. Then I remove the excess OMS from the cleaned brushes using rags or paper towels.In the last phase I do the exact thing described in step 2 substituting Silicoil for OMS. Inevitably, you'll remove more paint in the Silicoil bath than OMS is capable of removing. Silicoil is incredibly slippery, and paint slides right off the bristles in a way that doesn't happen with other solvents. However, Silicoil is expensive compared to OMS so use it to do the bulk of the cleaning.You can let your brushes dry at this point, and the Silicoil actually conditions the brush bristles. Shape the bristles into their original shape before they dry, but know that the bristles will dry "hard" requiring either OMS or The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap to soften them before you paint again. I've let brushes sit with Silicoil for years with no ill effect.Alternatively, you can remove the Silicoil using The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap, and let the brushes dry with the soap in the bristles as that product instructs. Either method preserves and protects your brushes for years, allowing you to extend your investment in brushes, and buy more paint. After all, learning to paint requires lots of paint. Or, you can use what you save buying brushes to upgrade your paints to professional grade.Here is a link to The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap: https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Brush-Cleaner-Preserver-Soap/dp/B00F38YVQS/

Previous to owning this brush cleaner cup, I used to use the disposable red plastic party cups. I got used to having to mash the brush at the bottom and then throw the cup out when I was done. However, I know that's not the best treatment for my expensive Windsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. Also, I was set to purchase additional W&N 7 brushes and I wanted them to last as long as possible and so I set out to find a proper replacement for the red plastic cups and that's when I found this "Cleaning Tank". I love this thing. It has surpassed my expectations in ease of use and the ability to clean my brushes really well without damaging them. I also am able to take the metal coil out and give the entire thing a thorough cleaning every now and then. The metal has tarnished over the years that I've owned this but it hasn't changed it's ability at all. I work primarily in acrylics as I do miniature painting so I can't attest to the experience in other mediums but for my needs, this thing gets 6/5 stars.

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!

I picked this up based on the recommendation of a YouTuber that I watch for miniature painting. The price was reasonable, so I thought, why not? What a brilliant invention for brush cleaning! It is the perfect size to be portable, but still holds a fair amount of water. The coils do a great job at cleaning the brush, but not hurting the bristles. The paint sediments fall to the bottom, so the water is actually usable for longer. The cap seals tight so there is no leaking if you want to travel with it filled or just save the water for the next day. I think this is a must have for anyone that paints regularly.

Review by Mark(Kim's Father)HiFirst I will say, this Jar is 5 star in quality. If you like the size and price , I would recommend it.For my needs the jar is to small. In the picture the black line on the ruler is 4 inches / 10 cm. To small for myself is why I gave it a 4 star rating.I have found I need a larger jar to cut down on trips to get clean water.The problem I found (in my searching of Amazon) no one sells a Coil jar larger than this one with the same quality.To solve the problem, on Amazon I purchased a spool of;"PATIKIL 8 Gauge 3mm Aluminum Craft Wire, 32.8Ft Metal Wire Armature Bendable Wire for Jewelry Making Metal Wrap DIY, Purple."Then I purchased a jar with an air tight lid from the USA Dollar Store that fit my needs.The cost,-- Aluminum wire $8.37,-- Large jar $1.25.This works out to about the same price as this jar, but I get a larger jar size to my liking.The spool is 32 feet therefore I have lots of extra coil to make more Coil jars or use it on other projects.It's up to you, I'm just putting the information out there.Take care.