Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/29

Rh supplanted it, owing, in a degree, to the numerous imitations in the market, and also to the liability of the rotting away or breaking of the hairs when in use. The hair is mostly from the tail of the skunk.

Sash-Tool. A sash tool, or small brush, is necessary as an auxiliary to the large brush, for cleaning up in corners, etc.

Oval Varnish or Paint Brush. As the under parts of a carriage are not rubbed with lump pumice-stone, the same as the body, the paint must be applied with greater care, and the 000 oval brush will work best, laying the paint smoothly and leaving but few, if any, brush marks. The chiseled brush should always have preference over a partly worn one, as the bristles are as a rule softer upon their extreme ends.

The Care of Brushes. However good a brush may be it will soon be ruined unless it is properly treated when out of use. The following hints will suffice as a guide in this respect:

Writing Pencils. Wash in turpentine until quite clean, and if they are not to be used for some time, dip in olive oil and smooth from heel to point.

Stipplers. Wash thoroughly in pure soap and hot water, rinsing with cold water. Place point downwards to dry.

Varnish Brushes. The best method of keeping varnish brushes is to suspend them in the same description of varnish as that they are used for. As this is not always possible, boiled oil may be used instead.

Brushes made for Use in Color should first be soaked well in water to swell the bristle in the binding. This applies also to whitewash brushes which are bound either by wire or leather.

A Brush after use should be thoroughly cleansed out in turps or soap and water. If left in water any length of time they are liable to twist, and the bristles lose their elasticity.