Where to find brushes for selective bleaching

[CBG]

I remember reading a long time ago that brushes for selective print bleaching should have no metal in contact with bleach. Is that correct? Most small brushes have a metal ferrule.

Other than bamboo handled brushes are there any other sources for brushes for bleaching?

 

[Doremus Scudder]

CBG,

I use bamboo-handled Japaneses calligraphy brushes for most of my bleaching. They come in many sizes, are soft, wash out easily and inexpensive. For very small areas, I have some cheap water-color brushes that are all plastic. These are often sold with children's water-color sets or at crafts stores and are the cheaper version of metal-ferruled brushes. I also use cotton swabs on occasion. Anything that will get the bleach on the area of the print you need without damaging the print surface will work as well: cotton balls, fabric, pieces of sponge, etc. It all depends on the size and configuration of the area you wish to bleach.

Hope this helps,

Doremus Scudder
www.DoremusScudder.com

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Q Tips.

Painting the metal ferrule with clear nail polish was the accepted thing decades ago.

 

[CBG]

I had looked for all plastic brushes with no success. Guess I have to look harder.

 

[Ian C]

Farmer’s reducer eats sable bristles. I ruined my sable spotting brush that way. When I used it to apply Farmer’s reducer first one, and then a second, bristle broke off as I brushed. I quickly washed the brush but thereafter it kept losing bristles as I used the brush for regular spotting dyes. You must use Q-tips, or cotton balls for bleaching. Since they have no metal parts you don’t risk a metal-bleach reaction that would ruin your print.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Go ahead and laugh, but two popsickle sticks with black tape, and a cotton ball on the end. I suppose those disposable bamboo chopsticks and a rubber band would work, too.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I use flat style toothpicks. I jab them into a cotton ball, and spin 'enough' cotton onto the toothpick to suit the bleach job at hand. Sometimes I just wet the toothpick, shake off excess, and tap the surface of the print to transfer the small qty of liquid on th surface of the pick.

 

[CBG]

Great ideas. I'll use 'em.

Thanks!