PNS Brush Acrylic No.6

This brush is of good quality with kolinsky hairs.

This is a size 6

Flat round brush with a point.

Comes with a cap

How to best prepare and maintain your acrylic brush:

What is Arabic gum?

First, let's consider Arabic gum. 'Brushes contain Arabic gum for transport. The brush fits better in the plastic sleeve because the hairs are held together by the gum.' The Arabic gum must be removed before use. 'It must be completely removed. This is easier with a thin brush, but with an acrylic brush with kolinsky hairs, it can really take some time. Take your time with this and don't do it at the table with the client present, because then you probably won't take enough time.' This way, you might miss gum particles, which can eventually cause a split point.

Removing Arabic gum:

How do you properly remove Arabic gum? 'The very first step is to remove and discard the plastic sleeve. Squeeze the hairs and then rub the brush hairs vigorously back and forth over a nail wipe. 'You can also rub it against a harder object. Do this while looking against the light, until you no longer see any dust coming out of the brush.'

Preparing, maintaining & storing acrylic brushes:

Then dip the acrylic brush into clean liquid and clean the brush on a nail wipe. Repeat this a few times and then discard the liquid. You can then keep the acrylic brush in good condition by cleaning it with a small amount of new liquid after use. 'Acrylic beads can sometimes get stuck between your hairs. If it hardens, you get clumps between the hairs. Therefore, always dip your brush in clean liquid and create the point on a nail wipe.' Leave a little liquid in the brush to prevent it from hardening.

Storing acrylic brushes: hang them up or lay them diagonally in a brush case. 'Because if the liquid runs into the metal ferrule, you get yellowing, corrosion. Then, the next time you use it, you risk yellow stains in your work, and you can't get that out of the brush.' If you use a brush case, you can prop it up slightly at the back. 'That way, the hairs point downwards, and the liquid doesn't run into the ferrule.'

The acrylic brush is much more fragile than brushes we use for gel. Not only can liquid run into the ferrule, but clumps of acrylic can also remain. 'If you have a hard clump in your brush, hang the brush a little in the liquid. The hairs should not touch the bottom. For example, use a clothespin so that the brush floats in the dappen dish.' After five to ten minutes, you can carefully remove the clumps. 'Do this gently. If you do it too hard, your brush will lose its correct shape.'