Quick Answer
Clean your kolinsky brush immediately after each use with a gentle brush soap or conditioner, then reshape the tip and store it horizontally or with the bristles pointing down to preserve the natural hair's point and belly.
Why Kolinsky Brushes Need Special Care
Kolinsky sable hair is prized for its natural conical shape, long tapered point, and thick belly. Unlike synthetic bristles, these natural hairs hold a sharp tip and a generous paint load. Harsh cleaners or leaving paint to dry in the ferrule can ruin that shape permanently.
The Over the Brick Kolinsky Paintbrush uses genuine kolinsky sable, so a little extra care goes a long way. A few minutes of proper cleaning after each session will keep the brush performing like new for months or even years.
Step-by-Step Kolinsky Brush Care
- Rinse Immediately After Use: Swirl the brush in clean water or a brush rinse pot to remove most of the paint. Do not let paint dry on the bristles or inside the ferrule. Dried paint inside the ferrule is the fastest way to ruin a kolinsky brush.
- Clean with Brush Soap or Conditioner: Apply a small amount of brush soap or gentle conditioner to the wet bristles. Gently work the soap into the hair with a circular motion on the palm of your hand, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh solvents or acetone—they strip natural oils from the kolinsky hair.
- Reshape the Tip: While the bristles are still damp, use your fingers to gently pull the brush into a fine point. Rotate the brush as you shape it to ensure an even taper. Do not press the brush against the bottom of a cup—that flattens the belly.
- Dry and Store Horizontally or Tip-Down: Lay the brush flat on a clean towel or store it with the bristles pointing down in a brush holder. Never store a wet brush upright in a cup—water can seep into the ferrule and loosen the glue. Storing tip-up can also bend the bristles as they dry, ruining the point.
- Condition Periodically: Every few sessions, apply a dab of brush conditioner after cleaning. Let it sit for a minute, then rinse. This replenishes the natural oils and keeps the hair supple. Over-conditioning can make the brush too soft—once a week is plenty for regular use.
Product Spotlight
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Over the Brick: Kolinsky Paintbrush: The Over the Brick Kolinsky Paintbrush features natural kolinsky sable hair with a silver colored ferrule and a black finished standard length handle. The natural kolinsky hair holds a fine point and a thick belly, making it ideal for detailed miniature painting—but only if you clean and store it correctly to preserve those properties.
Over the Brick: Kolinsky Paintbrush
