Preparation of your Kolinsky brushes
When you receive your Kolinsky brush the bristles will be held together with a starch solution. It is important that this starch solution is fully removed before first use of the brush.
You can do this by submerging the bristles into luke-warm water for approx 10 secs, and carefully drying the bristles with a lint-free wipe. Alternatively, you can 'flick' the bristles which will also remove the starch.
With Kolinsky bristle being a natural product you may need to trim any bristles that are not sitting parallel with the rest of the bristles. This is perfectly normal and expected with a new natural bristle brush.
Cleaning & storage of your Kolinsky brushes
Keeping your brush clean will extend its lifespan.
After using your Kolinsky brushes with water-based paints, wash out with warm water, dry with a lint-free wipe whilst repositioning the bristles and lightly coat the bristles with a tiny amount of cuticle oil (between your thumb & forefinger). Ensure you remove this oil before its next use. Replace lid and store brushes with bristles facing down.
After using your Kolinsky brushes with gel products, clean initially with a little IPA on a lint-free wipe to remove the gel. Then, using a small amount of base coat on a flat surface (i.e. palette or resin disc etc.) gently 'swish' out the remaining gel. Next, remove the base coat with IPA on a lint-free wipe, repositioning the bristles. Finally, lightly coat the bristles with a tiny amount of cuticle oil (between your thumb & forefinger). Replace lid and store brushes with bristles facing down.
If at any point your bristles become separated, simply dip the bristles in a cup of hot (not boiling) water for a few seconds, dry with a lint free wipe and recondition with cuticle oil, and store as above.
